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I noticed this when I played in the UK, there was quite a difference in skill level between the Uk & Australia/NZ. Part of the reason is we play touch rugby as soon as we can walk and during summer most rugby guys play in competitive touch rugby comps. I play 3 times a week in summer. And touch is fantastic for ball skills, passing, learning to run certain lines, learning structured moves etc So you end up with 12, 13 year olds that have been playing touch for 5 years and can throw 20m bullet passes off both sides. I remember watching Tindall play a few times and he can't spin pass of his left! That's pretty poor for an international centre. I think NH teams also have a tendency to go for size (in the backs) rather than speed/skill. I think ever since Lomu burst onto the scene, teams have been trying to find their own Lomus. The big wing for England (Banahan?) - I have to admit I haven't watched him at club level, but when he has played for England he has been shithouse. Picked for his size and that's it. He's not quick or blessed with great skill and he's the kind of player England need to avoid. I think the NH teams are closer to the SH teams and that is because they have got better, but also (at the moment) both SA & Australia aren't at their best.
I have to agree with this.
In the Summer, over the December holidays, there's a Beach Touch Rugby tournament held at different towns throughout the holiday, and many Springboks go there to compete at some level. Last year Schalk Brits was also in the one team.
Even without those tournaments, if you walk on any beach in SA where there are a bunch of guys, they'd most definitely have a rugby ball with them and they will play Touch Rugby on a daily basis. It also keeps you fit during the off season...