By Neil Hymers
June 19th 2008 @ 6:11am
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Question for the Wallaby selectors: what is a ‘utility forward’?
I was intrigued by the description of Dean Mumm’s selection for the Wallabies as a ‘utility forward’.
To my mind, that position is best filled by a player capable of playing anywhere in the back five, a skilled ball player, large in physique and physical presence, and experienced at international level.
He’s probably knocking on the door of run on selection. In fact, he’s probably considered by many to be unlucky not be in the starting line-up.
This must leave Mark Chisholm, at the very least, scratching his head and justifiably asking ‘what have I done wrong?’
To my mind, Chisholm should be our run-on, blindside flanker, ahead of Rocky Elsom, who continues to punch way below his weight in the big games. He’s the rugby equivalent of a cricketing flat track bully.
There is no tougher, hardhitting at the break-down, ball carrying, line-out winning, skillful forward in Australia. And we’re notably short of those. Players who can, if not intimidate, then at least match the likes of Bakkies Botha and Brad Thorne.
At a worst case scenario, he should be the Wallabies ‘impact/utility forward’ off the bench in the last 20 minutes when the opposition are tiring.
Perhaps, on reflection, he has one missing ingredient: his father isn’t an ARU board member!
Makes you think, doesn’t it?
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(6)
stillmissit said | June 19th 2008 @ 9:25am | Report comment
Mark Chisholm is another untility forward in my book. Not good enough for a regular lock position and never seems to do enough when put in the back row. He is in danger of falling through the cracks but is still good enough for many Wallaby selections. He has had those already and there will be more. My guess he will never make it to first choice run on player.
Good player and seems like a good person, from his point of view he should think he has done well with what he has in his bag of tricks.
Peter K said | June 19th 2008 @ 9:45am | Report comment
Neil
I rate Chisholm.
He is very similar to Elsom, in physical attributes and ability, and style. With one main difference Elsom has more mongrel, is tougher. Many a time Elsom comes out of a game with blood over his face, his own and others.
Personally I rate Chisholm. I have him ahead of Sharpe, and Mumm and I would of started him last test. Mumm has only had one good S14 season. Chisholm has stood out in a beaten pack and has performed at S14 over a few seasons. Chisholm is another who has not performed as well at test as S14, he has gone missing. However still better than Sharpe who has about 1 good game every 10.
My pecking order of locks is Vickerman, Horwill, McMeniman, Chisholm, Kimlin, Mumm.
My pecking order of blindside flankers is Elsom, McMeniman, Chisholm, Mumm.
With everypone fit then I would have Vickerman and Horwill starting, with McMeniman on the bench. Any injuries and Chisholm would make the 22.
I think you have been unfair to Elsom. Elsom was the main to go to man in the lineouts in the Ireland test. Didn’t lose any of his throws. With Vickerman out, and Waugh on the bench the in tight defensive work was left to Elsom and Horwill. Elsom was exhausted by this, so had little energy for his trademark runs. Elsom made the most tackles in that game. I hope you rate the hard graft and not just the glory open field running.
In head to heads when NSW play ACT Elsom has outperformed Chisholm the last 4 years.
mudskipper said | June 19th 2008 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
Mark Chisholm should push for blindside flanker. He is the same size as Elsom and has great ball skills. he is just a little short 196 cm for an international lock. However Australia doesn’t have many international standard locks which are over 200 cm.
John said | June 19th 2008 @ 5:08pm | Report comment
I know its a while ago now but the son of a mate of mine was playing in the final Aust.u19’s trial and absolutely cleaned up Chisolm . During the game Chisolm said to him that he was hitting players too hard. For what its worth the coach apologised for leaving him out of the squad to tour France. But then again isnt Chisolms father in law Bill Campbell? The same son of my mate has been playing 1st grade in Syd. He is a lock. He doesnt have any Rugby family pedigree to back him up. One day when they were playing Syd Uni his own coach who had substantial ambitions told him at half time to take it easy on Mumm. He still doesnt know why. This player is rough around the edges but if you were looking for someone who would stand up to the Boks and the Blacks while wearing his national colours he would be the answer. Unfortunately the local high school that he attended doesnt have a Rugby name. Has anyone else noted how Joeys was the bees knees now it is Kings who are getting the push?
Ben C said | June 19th 2008 @ 5:42pm | Report comment
A forward who sits on the bench and who may or may not be ‘utilised’.
Sledgeandhammer said | June 19th 2008 @ 6:25pm | Report comment
‘utlilty forward’ is a b.s. term stolen from rugby league