Watching the imperious performance by Kieran Reid against the Chiefs recently has left me to ponder our stocks for the Wallabies next number-eight jersey.
Kieran Reid is unarguably the leading number eight in world rugby today.
Given the way the game is being played at the moment a team’s number eight is as critical as nine, 10 and 15. Moreover it’s probably of equal importance as the open side flanker in the pack.
In the case of the Crusaders, Reid’s contribution would suggest that these days he is more important to them than Ritchie McCaw.
The reasons for Reid’s importance are deceptively simple. First of all, he almost always gets over the advantage line – and by some metres.
Secondly, he has good pace, not just off the mark but over 20 metres.
Thirdly, his handling skills are commendable, including his exceptional work at the line out and contested kicks/kick offs.
Fourthly, he actually locks the scrum. It is worth reminding readers that number eights used to be known as locks and for good reason. They are actually required to provide horse power in the scrum, not just hang off it.
Further to this, Reid is a punishing defender. And I could go on.
The incumbent Wallaby number eight is Wycliff Palu. These days Cliffy is a somewhat lesser contributor than in his prime. He appears to have lost pace and dynamism.
While he occasionally makes metres, his work rate has diminished and he is rarely seen inflicting his defensive capabilities on opposition sides.
Palu lacks the presence he once had. He remains injury prone and seems at best a 50-minute proposition in what I would argue is a specialist position. Observe McCaw’s lesser contribution as a number eight in Reid’s absence.
Scott Higginbotham is probably the man most likely to succeed. I worry about Higginbotham when the going gets tough.
There is no doubt he can be a first-class ball runner and ball carrier and he meets the first three of the Reid benchmarks.
But I have misgivings about his contribution to our scrum and generally his commitment to hard graft. He does not seem to link well with his half and that includes Will Genia.
Ben Mowen is a very good provincial payer and clearly a good captain but he does not have the physicality and presence to make him a serious option.
Robbie Deans clearly agrees. The standard after these three drops dramatically and that includes Richard Brown, someone who has played way more tests than he should have.
The answer I believe lies in Dave Dennis. I don’t know if he has sufficient pace but he does not shirk the hard graft. He gets over the advantage line consistently, can off load and is more than useful at the line out.
Dennis can and will push in scrums. He would need some re-training to be a serious option but I would argue that our stocks are so thin in this key position that we need a medium term solution, and fast.
Bakkies
Guest
and the best ball carrier will be Hooper and he is short. Your number 8 has to be a ball carrier in modern Rugby. Would like to see Auelua as an impact player off the bench and he can cover 6 and 12. He hits hard too.
Bakkies
Guest
France have some depth at number 8. Harinordoquy has been around a while and probably will retire after the next RWC. They have Dalan, Lakafia, Picamoles and there is another lad coming through I think from Toulouse.
Bakkies
Guest
Palu is rarely in full health and not fit to lace Harinordoquy's boots. Harinordoquy is a class lineout operator too.
Bakkies
Guest
Palu is rarely in full health and not fit to lace Harinordoquy's boots. Harinordoquy is a class lineout operator too.
Bakkies
Guest
''IMO he hasn’t got a world class carry like Spies'' I stopped reading after there. Spies hardly carries at all and even less over the advantage line. He goes missing against top opponents and as a result the Boks only play with 2 backrowers. Plus he is a converted winger.
Bakkies
Guest
Palu is made of glass and Spies is a liability. Wingers have higher work rates then he does.
Ra
Guest
Thanks, I've gotta have another look at Mowen's game. His name has been mentioned by a few other buffs in here too, so he could be the man. Which ever one it is, they've gotta fill that role that Rocky Elsom did so well at all levels for a long time. Geez, the Deep South loose forward contingents could be loaded with Aussie. Dingo Deano would be the best man to know South Island rugby
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
I just reckon Palu has always gone missing against the bigger sides. Historically he runs rampant over lesser middle year opposition from the north, but has always lacked and gone missing agains the ABs and Bok.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
I like your suggestion. I like the look of Higgers, he has that angry man look. Mowen provides leadership, and does get through a lot of work.
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
It doesn't happen too often, but I can say I 100% agree. I can even see the comparison of Higginbotham to Messam. Outstanding post, sir.
Jutsie
Guest
Well now im dead certain that there is questions surrounding either vaea's fitness or work ethic as he has been dropped from the bench to accommodate the returning aleua
Ra
Guest
Beau Robinson is rugged and gutsy and plays more like a No6 and he would easily convert to a No8. He is built like a young Chris Masoe, and with an extra five-seven kilos packed on his frame he would have the pace, power and rugby nouce to do the sweeper, support player role. I wouldn't see him trying to smash through tackles, but he would have the power to drive between tackles and forward of the gain line. What a combination of pace n power having him and Pocock roaming together with Higginbotham taking care of lineouts. Higgy will have to tighten up his no nonsense grunt game though carrying the ball in tight-loose, like Adam Thompson and Liam Messam have had to do to be serious about being All Blacks, and take ownership of the power hit. The best thing Robinson and Higginbotham could do for their own game is to spend two seasons playing ITM rugby for Southland or Taranaki.They will come back far superior players. That's what I think anyway.
Jutsie
Guest
Luke jones from the rebels has been given a few games at 6. I reckon he could be one to watch if he bulks up a bit over the next few years. But I wonder what will happen to him now that delve has resigned with the rebs and higginbottom is there too.
Worlds biggest
Guest
Nice one PeterK. Palu and Pocock doing a huge amount of work but what of the troublesome Number 6 spot. We haven't properly filled this position since Melon was discarded by Eddie Jones. We saw some good stuff ( but not enough ) from Elsom version 2 however he was clearly not the same player after his Leinster stint. Higgers & Dennis will battle it out for the blindside position. My issue with Higgers is he goes MIA too often but does have a bit of game breaking ability when on. Dennis is more a worker so are the Wallabies better served starting with the industrious and solid Dennis and bring on the more dynamic yet inconsistent Higgers ?
the Bone
Guest
Yeah Tahs retained Mccaffrey over McCalman 2 years ago then he got injured and released for Rocky. Thats tahs for ya
jeznez
Roar Guru
Pete - you convinced me long before you penned that article. You opened my eyes to his work rate prior to the Cheetahs game.
jeznez
Roar Guru
That is exactly it - there was no way when Sitaleki came on at the weekend that Lopeti should have been the one to go off. It should have been Mumm. Dennis should be starting and running the lineout, Mumm can be the reserve player and reserve lineout caller on the bench. I'm hoping Douglas takes the next eight months to really focus on becoming the key lineout caller for the Tahs. He actually really stepped up his jumping last weekend and might be able to make the grade.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Palu is absolutely the man - I just worry about his injuries. He is out again this weekend. I think we need Cliffy to hang on for two more years because Lopeti probably won't be eligible until then!
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think Lopeti Timani will probably get there. Yes he has made some mistakes this year but he is still very young. Palu is our man for now and given his injury issues he may not be right to maintain until Lopeti is ready. Vaea is the other guy I think has potential.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Lachie is an ex-Waratah. I think ultimately made a choice between him and McCutcheon.