Many modern day rugby players have swapped from rugby league to union with varying degrees of success. Some have come and gone, being forgotten fairly quickly, whereas some have adopted to their new roles and had huge impacts. Current Leeds Rhino, Lee Smith’s had a rather anonymous stint at Wasps which lasted little more than six months and included just one game, while Chris Ashton has enjoyed a meteoric rise to rugby union International superstardom. It really seems to depend on the player.
This commitment looked to be seriously questionable when in March 2011 the St. Helens website stated that Eastmond had been suspended by the club pending an investigation into serious misconduct. The club also said that no further comments would be made until the completion of the investigation.
It was then revealed the ban was based on “rude and offensive” gestures to Harlequins fans on the 11th March, and the ban was lifted on the 25th of March. However, since the ban Eastmond has failed to find the scintillating form that gained him interest from union clubs. This is primarily due to the fact that since the return from his ban Eastmond has struggled to regain his first team place.
While new half back pairing Lee Gakell and Jonny Lomax have undeniably provided an exiting new pairing, it does ask the question whether Eastmonds decision to swap codes as well as his antics have caused friction between himself and the club. Whatever the reason, we will be able to see his skills and talent once again when he gets a fresh start at Bath.
On the question of whether Eastmond will succeed in union, one aspect to look at is the position he will play. As mentioned Eastmond has been a half-back who can also play in the centres in rugby league. His feet are lightening quick, and he certainly has an eye for the gap, but he is essentially a playmaker. Yes he can create openings for himself, but his handling, kicking game and footballing vision are what have made him stand out as a top scrum half/stand-off in rugby league.
There have been rumors and speculation from Bath and the rugby union community since his signing about where he will play, but it is still a question without a confirmed answer. There has been no talk of stand-off or scrum half, but winger, full-back and centre have all been mentioned.
Perhaps the reason for not regarding Eastmond as a stand-off in union is due to the fact that he is new to the code and will take time to learn the style of play, tactics and skill of controlling a game. However, in each of the other positions, as well as positives, there are potential problems the man could face.
Kyle Eastmond is 167cm and 79kg, one of the smallest players in Super league. In rugby league he can be protected defensively by being positioned on the fringes, away from the big men. At centre he will come up against opposite number who could have 30kg weigh on him, and no matter how good a tackler he is, this is some weight to make up for. Centre in union is also a lot different in union than in league, and while he can still play a playmaker’s role at this position in league, in union there will be questions asked of him physically. The defensive line is also slightly different, and at outside centre defensive decisions are arguably the most important ones in the game. Without having experience of these decisions before, how will he cope?
It has been said that his evasive running is similar to that of Jason Robinson in his day, so there has also been talk of him playing on the wing. Eastmond is fast, but it his speed is shown in bursts. He is good in traffic using his footwork, and getting out of trouble. However, as a winger he will be put in the positions he is used to creating for people, so is his full-out pace enough to outstrip the rest of the field?
Again size comes into the wing position. Will Eastmond be able to deal with the likes of Leicester’s Alesana Tuilagi at 117kg? Not only this, Eastmond is 167cm and will almost always be smaller than his opposite man. Will he have the positioning and presence to deal with cross-field kicks? Eastmond is also used to being a playmaker. If he is stuck to his wing, will he become frustrated at not being able to act as creator?
Although at full-back Eastmond will be able to come into the attacking line at various positions and angles, it could also potentially cause negative concern in other aspects. Positional play is essential at full-back, and if it is not right, a team will kick to gain territory and position all day long, putting Eastmond and the rest of the team on the back foot. Having not played union, and with his height disadvantage, how will Eastmond deal with high balls, particularly in winter when the balls are wet.
The issues for Eastmond in union have been highlighted, but take nothing away from the level of his skill and talent. If he can single handedly take apart Super League teams, he may well in time be able to do the same in the Aviva Premiership. The question is where will he play, and whether it sensible not to consider him in the role as a playmaking stand-off.
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