The Wallabies will fight fire with fire against the powerful Italian forward pack this weekend by making skyscraping lock Rob Simmons a shock back-row starter.
Coach Ewen McKenzie has continued to select out of left field by replacing injured blindside flanker Scott Fardy (concussion) with a fit-again Simmons in Turin.
The Queensland second-rower has never started at No.6 in his professional career but McKenzie is keen to bolster Australia’s set-pieces against the confrontational Italians.
Italy’s bread and butter is their powerful scrum and by keeping bulky locks James Horwill and Sitaleki Timani in the second-row and playing the more athletic Simmons on the side, the Wallabies pack will have more size and weight.
In the only change to the starting team from the 20-13 loss to England, McKenzie has also backed Simmons athletic ability and punted on the 24-year-old to surprise with his ball-running game.
Simmons missed the Twickenham defeat with a knee injury and was expected to return in the second row, possibly at the expense of former skipper Horwill, and Ben McCalman replace Fardy.
As well as bulking up the scrum, McKenzie’s surprise move ensures Australia have four tall targets to continue their lineout success. But they will miss Fardy’s fearless ball-pilfering and cleaning-out ability at rucks.
“We’ve looked at Italy and we want to take them on at what they’re good at,” said McKenzie, who down played the importance of hands-on work at the breakdown.
“It’s a different focus. Italy are one of the most dominant tackling teams but they’re not necessarily hard over the ball.
“They will try to take us on in the set piece. You have to deal with where the ball is first, not where it might be.
“You have to have a (ruck) presence but one of the best arguments in defence is if you can cut the ball off at the source it’s the best way to defend.”
While Simmons has only played a little of No.6 off the bench in the 2011 World Cup, McKenzie said the two-metre beanpole had the right attributes for the role.
“Statistically Simmo is in our top two in terms of defence and getting around the field and he’s probably the second most athletic guy in the forward pack,” he said.
McKenzie has kept the faith with his tight-five and backline, but made three changes on the bench with back-rowers Dave Dennis and Liam Gill called up and Joe Tomane replacing Bernard Foley for more flexibility.
Powerhouse hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was considered close to returning but is now rated a definite prospect to play Ireland next week.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Nick Cummins, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Ben Mowen (capt), Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Fainga’a, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Dave Dennis, Liam Gill, Nic White, Christian Leali’ifano, Joe Tomane.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
AW Jones played 2 Tests at the beginning of his career at flanker to ease him into the arena, Ryan was a flanker before a lock, I don't recall Hines ever playing back row for Scotland, and Mark Andrews played 8 during the 1995 RWC. It's not groundbreaking stuff, but it's not particularly intelligent stuff either, which is why it's such a rarity. Courtney Lawes v France this year was every reason a lock should stick to playing lock.
LMAO
Guest
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/9381946/Wallabies-on-track-for-World-Cup-Mowen
Justin3
Guest
I agree with you on McCalman. It isnt as bad as Timani as Simmons is actually a good footballer (though he is a player that will divide opinion for different reasons). Beats me what coaches see in Dennis, Jones and Quirk have and are already better players based on last years Soup season. I like the look of Macaffrey too (though have only seen limited bits).
Justin3
Guest
He didnt perform that well last year either...he just isnt a very good rugby player.
Justin3
Guest
Then you missed Argentina...
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
The Wallabies are always a mystery tour with a suprise around every corner ;-)
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
I haven't seen Tomani play that often, but to me, he has not played a good match yet.
Brett McKay
Expert
Playing two locks who don't jump a lot certainly hurt the Wallabies last week, though, KPM. I always thought Simmons would come back in because of this reason, I just didn't picture it quite this way..
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Mcalman may not be a great player against the best teams in the world, but he would not be being called on to face them here: I would think he would be effective against Italy. Also, why the sudden fears over the lineout? With Mowen in the team there doesn't seem to be a problem, and certainly not one to influence selection to the point of choosing three locks.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Brett we are told indeed that Simmons is one of the more powerful forwards in the pack. Perhaps it's strictly true in the sense that the others are so weak, but it also rather cleverly suggests he is actually powerful as is normally understood in international rugby, which is hard to reconcile with his play on the field. I feel that it would have been better to choose a powerful backrow specialist rather than a not very powerful lock at 6, if the aim is to power up the backrow. I'm not sure how this comment ended up where it has. Perhaps writing the name magically sends it to the right place: I'll certainly try to reduce confusion by adding it in future.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
It's true this year he has been playing under a new coach, and doesn't seem to have performed as well as he did last year under the previous coach. Then again he's not alone in that bracket of players who are playing worse under the new coach: Genia, Horwill. But I don't think any of them should be playing badly given their talent and how they performed under the previous regime.
Markus
Guest
Deans actually preferred Carter as a utility back, covering both inside centre and fullback, with Cameron McIntyre as his starting flyhalf. It was Henry that first gave Carter the chance to start at 10.
Markus
Guest
More of the latter. He started with the Brumbies last year as a reserve backrower who could play some lock, but has since been starting as a lock more often than not as his high workrate in doing the 'hard stuff' sees him well suited to the position. He's probably still a better flanker than lock, but I would still rate him as one of the best lock options in Australia.
Combesy
Roar Guru
thats true. although was mccalman at 8 when the ball came firing out the back of the scrum twice against england? i think mccalmans scrummaging is his weakest part of his game
Brett McKay
Expert
Like I've said below, Brandon, I still don't know what McCalman's done wrong. I would've thought Mowen to 8, McCalman to 8 was the way McKenzie would go again..
Brett McKay
Expert
So despite just saying that some of his analysis was correct - or at least, you agreed with it - because you disagreed with some other points, and his thoughts on Clancy at scrum time, the initial blanket statement stands, does it? No he didn't. Yes he did, in parts. No, he didn't...
Combesy
Roar Guru
bugger. I just cant see why timani should regain his spot. I would rather play Gill at 6 and bring simmons back into lock, then have douglas on the bench. At least you know from Gill you are going to get 100% effort and the breakdown will be far more controlled, he is a large part of reds breakdown defence and attack.
Red Kev
Guest
No Scott Allen didn't debunk the myth that the ref was poor at scrum time. I don't recall anyone (certainly I didn't) posting that every single referreeing decision at scrum time was wrong. Therefore the fact some of Scott's analysis backs up the referee calls is neither here nor there. I don't for a moment think the Wallaby scrum is strong, but I also don't for a moment believe that Clancy adjudicated the scrums correctly or fairly.
Combesy
Roar Guru
bugger.. dont know if i can continue to defend Mckenzie if he is going to make selections like these. Its seems as if he is being stubborn to the point where he is probably telling himself "this will work then everyone will think im genius again." seriously link you can do some brilliant things at times. But please change the front row, please bring in support, all of the super teams are in preseason training now... get on the phone. i cant continue to have mini heart attacks watching the likes of timani and alexander play. when we have other players that are itching to get a game.
Brett McKay
Expert
OK, sure, but that's still more than the blanket "he didn't actually" you offered above. You're even saying there that you do accept his analysis in some examples, even if you don't in others..