Six Nations 2021: Wales’ George North shook the world on debut 11 years ago and he can do it again in his 100th cap
GEORGE NORTH burst on to the scene like a Welsh mash-up of Jonah Lomu and Jason Robinson.
And today he has the chance to try and recreate that blockbusting magic with the perfect script for him to win his 100th cap.
Wales are chasing a Six Nations Grand Slam and they are at home to arch-rivals England.
The only other thing you could have wished for is for Cardiff to be packed out with 75,000 fans.
Often in rugby, you get these frighteningly-good backs like North who burst on to the scene.
We’re seeing it now at Test level with Louis Rees-Zammit, too, his Wales team-mate.
For us forwards, it always takes a bit longer to be those world-class stars.
In the pack you see guys nurture their talent and develop like fine wines — getting better with age.
But those X-Factor guys in the backs, like North was, have to then find new ways to develop as they become marked men.
When North made his Test match debut against South Africa in 2010 he scored twice and shocked the whole rugby world.
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He then had a great World Cup in 2011 and, of course, there’s the iconic Israel Folau Lions incident in 2013, where he picked up the Australia full-back on his shoulders.
What a phenomenal talent and what an athlete.
But since then it’s not been plain sailing. Form, fitness and concussion issues have all haunted him.
For anyone to get to a hundred before the age of 30, you’ve got to be a special, special player.
North might not be the player he was but, at centre, he does have the chance to reinvent himself.
And on England’s current attacking form, he won’t be worrying too much from a defensive standpoint.
In England’s pack, Billy Vunipola has had a lot to say regarding his own form.
It was humbling that he admitted it himself he had been “rubbish” — but fans will start looking at the boss and ask what is he playing at.
Billy’s remarks this week were pretty damning from an England head coach point of view.
The single most important role as head coach of England is to get selection right.
And here you have your starting No 8 admitting he hasn’t been anywhere near the form he should be.
Well, with the strength in depth in English rugby right now, there have been plenty of other options.
In the squad alone you’ve got Tom Curry, Mark Wilson and Ben Earl who can all play there. Then in the Premiership both Sam Simmonds and Alex Dombrandt are tearing it up.
It’s unforgivable to play someone so drastically out of form and who also admitted to being “a coward” for hiding behind being tired.
I commend Billy for being so open and honest, and hope he rediscovers his form of 2016. But at the moment, it’s just pure blind faith to keep him in there.
Is Eddie Jones hell-bent on trying to prove he is the smartest guy in the room by sticking with the players out of form against the public and media clamour for change?
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That said, England will be better than they have been and Wales have been a shadow of the side from the Warren Gatland era, even though the players are pretty similar.
Wales have also been fortunate in their last two wins — even with the opposition down to 14 men.
Having been part of England sides who have been criticised and written off, the away dressing room will come out and show that bulldog spirit today — so I expect them to win.
Wales are missing their vital 16th man, the superb pantomime crowd that cheer, boo and jeer everything.