Ewen McKenzie has long been a George Smith fan but talk of a fairytale Wallabies comeback against the British and Irish Lions just doesn’t wash with the Queensland Reds coaching boss.
When his own outstanding openside flanker, Liam Gill, is currently rated third in the pecking order for Australia’s No.7 jersey, McKenzie sees an embarrassment of riches that requires no further addition.
Gill’s stand-out performance in the Reds’ scrappy 18-12 Super Rugby win over the Hurricanes once again highlighted his superb 2013 form and a compelling case for Wallabies inclusion.
The 20-year-old did it all against the Wellington outfit, racking up Queensland’s most running metres, making 12 tackles, forcing steals and penalties at the breakdown and also chiming in at the lineout.
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett singled out Gill for his tireless and canny work in rucks which he believed was a crucial factor in the result at Suncorp Stadium.
Wallabies great Smith will make his return to Super Rugby with the Brumbies next week, prompting calls for him to add to his 110 Test caps against the Lions in June.
But with all the debate surrounding whether David Pocock and Michael Hooper can start in the same back-row, McKenzie finds it bemusing Gill is largely an ignored contender.
“He’s the forgotten amigo isn’t he?” he said. “There’s three of them and he’s the forgotten one.
“I think he is an outstanding player, he is in the game in so many different ways.”
It’s fair to say McKenzie wouldn’t swap Gill, who played eight Tests off the bench last year behind Hooper while Pocock was injured, for any of them.
Of all three, Gill is most like Smith as the consummate all-rounder, whereas Pocock’s an amazing ruck warrior and Hooper the speedy attacking threat.
He has lots of skills and makes contributions, including winning lineouts for us, attack, defence, getting on the ball, taking the ball forward,” McKenzie said.
“He is a very slippery player carrying the ball in close. It’s not wide channel running, it’s in close-in hard work and hard yards.
“He is doing exactly what we expect him to do so there’s no surprises in the Reds camp but hopefully it’s going to count for something down the track.”
Another fringe Wallabies forward to shine on Friday night was lock Rob Simmons who crossed for his first try in 51 games for Queensland, finally ending the banter he cops from teammates.
“As much as I’m happy for him there was a little bit inside me that was a bit disappointed,” smiled skipper James Slipper.
Halfback Ben Lucas is in doubt for the Reds’ trip to Melbourne to play the Rebels on Friday night due to a shoulder injury.
Jutsie
Guest
I mentioned him above, he was playing at 5 but he was dishing out some bruising physical punishment to the bulls (not many people put flip van der merwe's lights out) Cully was impressed too: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/mcmenimans-efforts-will-make-deans-think-20130303-2fee2.html
Justin2
Guest
I'd do the same, we are talking about potentially his only chance to ever play the Lions. His form supports the words IMO.
WOLF
Guest
By the way Hugh Mcminemen played on the weekend, i wouldnt mind seeing him at 6.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He is a 22 year old who has been on the Qld development program for a few years now. Debuted back in 2010, I've been impressed by all three of his matches so far this season. 12 caps over the prior seasons has given him a taste and he has done the work to get his body right for this type of rugby. Has just taken that long for him to grow and get solid. I thought Link was bluffing when he said Higginbotham wasn't going to be a big loss for the Reds but he obviously knew he had this guy coming through.
mania
Guest
so link is worried that gills gonna miss out so has to say his 2 cents worth?
mania
Guest
where the hell has this quirk character come from? its like presto we've conjured up a hard a55 6 for you who already has a lot of playing maturity. seems to be a complete blindside from what little i saw of him fri night
barbz
Guest
I hate that you are right. Except on Pyle. Wouldn't deans go with Simmons or Timani by your reasoning?
Jutsie
Guest
hehehe nice one :)
Handles
Guest
Did you not see Gill totally outplay Hooper 2 weeks ago?
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Agree with many of your points, however hardly think it's rational not to select a player based on the fact that you tried someone else in that position, and they failed to take their opportunities.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Lost his powers? Did you see that game against wales? Having said that, I think calls for him to make the Lions squad are ridiculous considering we have Pocock, Hooper and Gill. What a slap in the face it would be to select GS over any of them. Unless of course he outplays them and earns selection, which I doubt. Still think he will be a dominant player at super rugby level though. With a few injuries at no. 8, you never know, we may see him in a wallaby jersey.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
What about Dick Brown for wallaby 8? Just kidding.
Hightackle
Guest
How is this Deans 2nd last series?
Hightackle
Guest
Im not saying Mogg is the same but he reminds me of A.Taylor for the Canes. Everybody was on his bandwagon and expected him to be given a trial at test level. He didnt even come close to getting the nod and after a bit of distance and perspective is put between now and his 2012 super season, it was def the right call and Dagg, B.Smith and C.Jane are a class and a half above him despite his great season. So in conclusion, it remaims to be seen if Mogg is what selectors value at 15. I dont think Deans will completely shy away from debutants against the Lions. I think there will be one or 2 but you are prolly right and Lealiifano will play on the bench at first. One thing that S.Lancaster and S.Hansen (to a lesser extent) have done is back debutants and Launchbury, Morgan, Farrell, Twelvetrees, Barritt, Goode, Vunipola, Burns, Smith, TKB, Savea, Coles, Rettalick, Romano, Faumuina and Barrett have not let anybody down. Its one thing to play experience, its another to play a lesser team as a result. Calculated risk is the only way Aust will win this series and if that means starting Cooper at 10 (crazy imo) Lealiifano at 12 or Mogg at 15 so beit. One thing he shouldnt do is be radical and forget about experience altogether. Some people think Deans is a bad coach for not playing Inman, Holmes, Mowan etc but thats just silly. He gave many players a go at test level in 2012 and most failed to take their opportunities despite their super form (Dennis, Vuna, Morahan, Tomane, Shipperly etc) so it would be irresponsible to just keep gambling at the teams expense.
Hightackle
Guest
Yes thats what I think he'll do.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Just because we're paranoid doesn't mean we're not right ;)
jeznez
Roar Guru
He and McCalman will probably be looked at for there as well. McCalman needs to make the starting side at the Force again. For Higgers I share the criticism that many do that he has a tendency to play too loose. I think with Jones and Delve and in the Rebels squad that he will come under selection pressure unless he tightens up his play. He needs to go back and look at the Reds v Chiefs match from last year. He was exemplary for 6 or 8 that day but unfortunately performances like that are too infrequent. So far this season I think he has been particularly poor.
Mike
Guest
Fair comment Hightackle. Note that my comment above re CL was on the basis of what Deans is likely to do, whereas this list is just letting myself go on who I would pick if I get that phone call from Pulver: "Mike, Robbies not feeling too well, and the ARU board would like you to pick a test side... Sure Bill, no worries, expect my email in a couple of minutes". Re JOC, everyone has a different opinion on Wallaby 10. At present, mine is that JOC has the best prospects of being our Dan Carter or Steve Larkham. If that is the case, then that is where I should play him, because there won't be any better or worse time - he's either got it or he hasn't. Rod Macqueen faced the same issue when he decided to throw the Wallaby 10 jersey to a fullback/winger called Larkham. Obviously many won't agree with me, but if I think he is likely to be the man, then 10 is where I should put him. For 15, I can see where you are coming from: 'Mike, if you are not happy with Beale, then what about using JOC or AAC to filll that slot - experience, safe-hands etc". And I agree you have a point - although its the same reasoning that has led to AAC playing every position in the Australian backline over the years. It seems to me that if I think JOC is the best option for 10, and AAC is our best option for 13 (which I do) then that is where they should play. We then look at the best option for fullback, and its hard call, I agree. I would be prepared to give Mogg a go - he seems to me to have that gritty realistic attitude required for a test 15. But if I had any misgivings, I would probably call up an old campaigner like Berrick Barnes.
jeznez
Roar Guru
No doubt if there aren't genuine 6 candidates one ode these guys could shift. Although I think the blindside and 8 positions are screaming out for the depth we have at 7. I'd prefer a more traditional style player in those positions.
Mike
Guest
Sure, but I thought you were commenting on what Deans was likely to do, rather than what you or I might choose? I just can't see him bringing in CL at 12 - bench, sure.