I dunno about Pompey being poor. Sup42's post about his defensive capabilities opened my eyes a bit. We don't talk about any major defensive mistakes Pompey makes, which we have bemoaned with about every centre we've had at the club in the last 10 years. OK he's not exactly the greatest ball player of all time and not quick, although Montoya has got enough opportunities to score this year. I feel like those two locks down the left hand defensive side more than adequately.
DWZ is a perfect illustration, I reckon, of our attacking bias in judging a player. DWZ can be outrageously bad positionally and in defensive structure. But you know, mullet + flying tries + hard runs at the line. Pompey doesn't have those, but can stick in a defensive structure and at least hold even with quality centres. Good wingers have given DWZ a bath this year, look at Johnston last game out.