I think forwards are as important as ever. As you say their main purpose is defence. That defence then forces long kicks which allows the wingers and fullbacks easy carries. To'o may be the best in the game at what he does, but even he goes nowhere on the odd occasion an opposition team managers to pin the Panthers in the corner.
Case in point, everyone (with the possible exception of Staines) that has played in the back 3 for Penrith the last 4 years has made huge running metres. That list includes Daine Laurie regularly running 250m+ at fullback, Caleb Aikens topping 300m in a game at fullback as well as May and Turuva on the wing in their rookie years.
Instead of comparing running metres of the top props and top wingers and their correlation with success. I'd like to see the correlation of average set distance conceded, average metres gained from back 3 and success.
Of course there is the reverse argument that the forwards can only defend as well as they do as they are fresher due to the yardage work of the backs. It is kind of chicken and egg. I think it shows you need strength across the park and can't rely on just good backs or just good forwards.
