Originally Posted by
manker
Who knows if he would be a more effective outside half than Wilkinson, or even Stephen Jones, since he's never tried but it is highly unlikely. I already mentioned Iestyn Harris, who was the most skilful RL player in Britain - he joined Cardiff yet he struggled to get into a very poor Welsh side and made little impact despite being here for almost three years.
Johns is a brilliant RL player but that doesn't automatically mean he'll be a great union outside half. Sailor and Taquiri are wingers and Rogers is a full back - and isn't Andrew Walker the cokehead that doesn't even play that much. He's the only Walker I've heard of, anyway.
Those positions mainly require a player to run fast. Wales had a former hurdler playing on the wing a few years back and he did okay(ish), full back is slightly different but tactically and regarding the influence on the game, there is no comparison to playing outside half.
There is no direct RL equivalent to outside half so Johns would have to learn a whole new position in a different sport. Wilkinson would get in any union team before he would, despite Johns obviously having more talent.
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