Legendary All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall believes that the fly-half position has become a “worldwide” problem for most of the teams in the international arena.

Appearing on The Breakdown show, Marshall responded to fellow All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson who mentioned the Wallabies’ fly-half situation ahead of their upcoming international season which sees them taking on the British & Irish Lions.

‘Joe Schmidt’s not going to select him’

“I look across their selections and what they’re capable of doing. If they can find a 10 to drive them around the park. Now that’s their biggest question mark right now,” said Wilson.

“If they can find a 10 as they go on. Well, Noah Lolesio has signed to go offshore and Marshy (Marshall) tells me, and I think you’re right from what we’ve read, Joe Schmidt’s not going to select him.

“So here’s the guy (Lolesio) last year who played, I think the last four Test matches of the year on tour and against the All Blacks twice. So he was the guy who was given the experience.

“Now he’s decided he’s playing offshore. He’s not going to be available unless Joe Schmidt changes his mind. And we’re going to look, if you look at it right now, (Ben) Donaldson, (Harry) McLaughlin-Phillips, who we saw on the weekend, you start throwing these guys in the mix.”

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Marshall responded by saying the fly-half conundrum is a dilemma which is not unique to Australia.

‘It’s a worldwide problem’

“But I feel it’s not just a problem for Australia. It’s a worldwide problem, that first-five (fly-half) jersey,” he said.

“Like if I think of one player that’s probably got a mortgage on a jersey, it’s Finn Russell.

“You know, which Smith do you pick for England? You know, All Blacks. Who’s the starting 10 for the All Blacks? We’re always debating that.

“Ireland is (also) struggling with that jersey.”

Wilson agreed and then highlighted the one country which he feels is blessed with a plethora of top class fly-halves.

“I’ll tell you who’s not struggling, it’s South Africa,” he said. “They’ve got about four guys that they’ve given opportunities, and they’ve all been really good.”

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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/all-blacks-greats-believe-one-position-is-a-worldwide-problem-that-only-the-springboks-arent-struggling-with