our backs have not been able to link with our forwards and vice versa
Wow, such an archaic concept.
Want to know a secret? There's no such thing as backs and forwards anymore.
In defence there's a fullback (a position which doesn't actually exist in attack) and 12 line defenders, each denoted by their position relative to the the sidelines.
In attack there's a dummy-half, two or more floating playmakers with varying degrees of responsibility, and everybody else.
Additionally, all clubs still field a handful (usually 2 starting and 2 interchange) of big players whose job in attack is to take centrefield hit-ups against a set defensive line. In defence these same guys are generally a liability against any ball-carriers other than their counterparts on the other team. These players are the only ones that can technically be considered 'forwards' in the classic sense (and we still call them 'front-rowers').
The other 11 players are essentially 'backs'. As for the links between these 'forwards' and 'backs' (or rather, between 'front rowers' and 'everyone else'), the only way this is different to the links in play between 'backs' and 'backs' is that front rowers are more likely to start and finish their involvement in attacking play via a play-the-ball.
I agree we have a problem in the halves (shorthand for floating playmakers, which in our team includes fullback Jarryd Hayne) but it's got nothing to do with linking 'forwards' and 'backs'.
