Posted by Back in June, ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship, I took a look at the progress of Cameron Winnett as he prepared to become a key man for the Wales side playing out in South Africa.
At the conclusion of that piece I urged readers to “keep a keen eye out for the Cardiff man as he brings his U20 career to a close ahead of challenging for the Blue and Blacks first team”. I was confident that he would certainly be in and around the matchday 23 at the Arms Park during the course of the season, his talent was obvious.
Yet I would not have expected to be sitting here after six rounds of the United Rugby Championship with Winnett starting five of the games at full-back and already putting his hand up as a breakout player of the year across the league, let alone in Cardiff or Wales generally. A 20-year-old in his first full season of senior professional rugby playing like a 30-cap international.
By the very nature of being a full-back there is little place to hide. You are generally the last line in defence, marshalling the back field under the high ball or kicks through, and making solo decisions on when to counter-attack and when to kick with ball-in-hand.
Yet Winnett shows no sign of shirking that responsibility, or failing to embrace it by taking the safe options when they are presented to him. With a wicked step off the right-foot, a sharp turn of pace and the vision required to isolate and manipulate defenders, he can turn seemingly nothing counter attack opportunities into good field position or even line breaks.
There’s a credit to the player himself there, but also the coaching staff for creating the platform where a young player can come into the team and not worry about making mistakes, instead feeling confident enough to express himself on the pitch. That’s the culture that needs to be fostered if this period of transition is going to be successful.
What we’re seeing more of from Winnett as the Cardiff attack progresses and evolves throughout the season so far has been him stepping into the line and being given the responsibility as a playmaker in the wide areas of the pitch, either getting the ball into the 15 metre channels or putting boot to ball.
Rewinding a few weeks and against the Scarlets where the attack was at its bluntest, Winnett makes 8 carries, 3 passes and 6 kicks. Against the Stormers he makes 14 carries, 6 passes and 8 kicks. He’s getting more involved in the game and having a positive impact as a result.
The second clip in particular is impressive as he doesn’t just shift the ball straight on to Mason Grady on the left wing, instead he uses his footwork and his body shape to hold the outside defender for an extra second, straightens his shoulder and takes an extra step, and gives Grady the chance to come on to the ball rather than going from a standing start.
At just 20-years-old he’s playing with the swagger and confidence that youth and talent provides. There’ll be occasions where things don’t go his way, especially as the quality of opponent increases with the Investec Champions Cup on the horizon, and in the tougher weather conditions that winter brings, but it’s important to remember he’s still very much learning his trade.
For now there’s plenty to enjoy about Cameron Winnett at 15 and, if selected, hopefully that will continue against the Scarlets this weekend.
Cardiff Rugby Life 