Wallabies wildcard Rob Simmons loves running the ball but even he must prove to teammates he can do the job against Italy.
Ewen McKenzie’s latest left-field selection, lock Simmons has been preferred ahead of three back-rowers to start at blindside flanker at Turin’s Stadio Olympico on Sunday morning (AEST).
The 2m-tall Queensland skyscraper has never started a professional game at No.6, and only experienced 30 minutes there against the USA in the 2011 World Cup.
Even Simmons was shocked that McKenzie would choose him for the role in his return from a knee injury.
But he’s relishing the thought of getting his hands on the ball in attack far more than he does in the second-row, instead of being the man who does the less-appreciated hard graft of cleaning out at rucks and tackling in tight.
A rugby league junior, the 33-Test lineout specialist must surprise a few fans and critics alike.
“I enjoy running the ball,” he said. “I don’t get to do it a lot so I guess I have to prove it to my own teammates first this weekend that I’m able to do it and do it well and go from that.
“Numbers in the gym and things like that show that I could do it but I still have to prove myself in that position.
“Playing second-row, you are obviously part of the engine room there and it’s quite draining, so (it’s good) to be a bit looser and quicker around the field like most sixes are.”
McKenzie surprised all and sundry when he overlooked Ben McCalman for the role after fearless flanker Scott Fardy (concussion), a revelation for his breakdown work, was ruled out.
Dave Dennis is a specialist No.6 for NSW while Liam Gill has also played there off the bench at Test level.
Gill believes his fellow Reds forward will step up as the Wallabies have chosen to bolster their lineout instead of the breakdown.
“He’ll fit in well. He’ll play hard like a second-rower,” he said. “He’s a skilful second-rower who is tied down in tight so I think he’ll get the chance to show his real skills.”
CHT
Guest
I hate Ben Mowen, but last night, up against a world class number 8 in Sergio Parisse, he did okay, with a couple of solid runs (something we haven't seen from him in test rugby).
Gunser
Guest
The numbers in the gym are power measures that rate Simmons in the top 3 for the extended Wallaby squad. He also rates second behind Hooper out of our current squad of forwards in sprinting over short distances ( a better signal of athleticism than the power lifts in the gym ). Agree that playing him out of position is strange. He has been our best tight forward statistically this season and should have come in for Timani without a second thought.
Two Eyed Cyclop
Roar Guru
I am for it, get me a ticket :-)
flying hori
Guest
Toomua should be tried at 6, can tackle
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Italy have quite a good off-loading game as it goes.
Shungmao
Guest
Go Simmo, prove the doubters wrong!
Chivas
Guest
Wouldn't go with my shoes.. But on that, what message does that send to Dennis and McCalman. Great way to build team rapport. Win or lose I'm not so sure EM is taking forward steps. The fact a few on here are trying to find positives means the Aussie spirit still beats in the hearts of some fans. But jeezus mother of Mary....Simmons a 6? Suck him in and drive round. If Italies loosies are any good, they will cause some real problems. Smons will be at sea regardless of his gym numbers. Good to know you haven't worn a dress, not so sure a akirt doesn't count though... That's like half a dress.. No make-up? Finally, there must be a six in the country mustn't there? I also have another question. Once upon a time you could throw a blanket over the Queensland forward pack, they were that tight. What has happened? They are appalling and the Wallabies are worse. I know the reds put a few good forward displays together but not consistently and not over the 80. Both Horwill and Mowen have good rugby heads on them and together they can't sort it. As for Mowen he should never have been slotted to 8. He plays a good game at 6, confidence high, something to build on be motivated about and McKenzie yanks him and chucks him into 8. What a goose and now he's down on form and confidence. It took h an age before Deans picked him, with everyone demanding he be picked. It looks controlled... then an out if control EM sticks him to 8. Jeezus wept. And strangely through all this Brett Mackay has been remarkably quiet after defending the decision to put Mowen into 8... I'm not saying Mowen is the problem with forwards by any stretch, but right now he is not the solution as he was during the Lions series. If things looked ugly before, well I have probably said enough....
Jokerman
Guest
"Numbers in the gym" sounds to me he's been watching too many terminator movies and believes the machines are alive.
Starchild
Guest
He will be okay. Come half time he can have a rest and sun bath out in the middle of the pitch. Maybe pitch a tent and have a low alcohol beer. Who cares about a 25% winning record when your camp is no longer toxic..... 3 locks? Maybe bring in a Cyclops too. The circus continues....
Graeme
Guest
I'd say the selections suggest that Link is looking to play for the sidelines and attack their lineout. Not only with Simmons, but also with Dennis chosen on the bench ahead of McCalman.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I actually don't think this is a terrible move. Australia's loose will lose some speed around the park, but the Italians have a horrible backline that stands way too deep. They don't need speed in the loose, they need bulk in the pack! And I'm really worried the Italians can win this Test if it turns into a scrum-a-thon. The front row is a big worry for the Wallabies too. If the Wallabies lose to Italy I'm calling it - this team will be worse than the Eddie Jones 2005 Wallabies.
Squirrel
Guest
We usually have a tonne of back rowers whats going on. Everyone wants to be a breakaway, now we have the slowest backrower in Aust getting the Guernsey. We should play to our strengths speed not to Italys which is power and set pieces. We should aim to run them off the park hence Gill, though Im not a great fan of his.
Uncle Argyle
Guest
Well said but dont agree on Mowen. We need more output from him.
chann wee
Guest
@ Uncle Argyle : IMO Simmons will play like a 2nd row at 6. The thing is, he has been "involved" in general play a lot more than some of the others, so he may do it all from 6. If people look for a genuine 6 and compare Simmons, they will be disappointed , but from the OZ pack pov, he will do a lot of work. This is nothing new in this OZ pack. MOWEN is not an 8 like Read , but he does contribute to the team from his core skills. Untill genuine 3rd row comes back in the form of Higginbotham , Pocok and Palu, OZ will have to put up with those available.
Uncle Argyle
Guest
Mate Iam not saying he is the next Willie O, or Owen Finnegan but I think he has a good work rate. Can't say ive worn a dress but a kilt yes! Mate i think your on the money about the game being slower. We should look to get thier pigs in to give our blokes out wide a go. How do you reckon you would look in Gold? :)
Chivas
Guest
C'mon UA. How will he make a blindside. Would you feel comfortable in a dress? I think Simmons will fell that way about being number 6. I can't see him having an impact. My feeling is the game will be too fast for him and he won't cope. On the positive he may slow it down and force the game into more of an arm wrestle and then use Folau and co. to try to break through. The problem will be getting to the breakdowns. Looks like Hooper won't be getting much support. And the 6/8 combination for the Wallabies will be pathetic.. There is so much not to like. Another lineout jumper? So what!
JamesinSyD
Guest
Yeah, fair calls here I reckon.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Ryan, I am all for trying new things, but the Test arena is not the place for someone to try out something new. People don't ask a heart surgeon to do their brain surgery, so why do we ask players to do something at Test level they've never done before? Test rugby is not the place to learn anything other than how to play Test rugby. Whilst blindeside and lock aren't that different, to some degree it's like asking a bloke to be the wicket keeper for Australia when he's never done it at State level...
Uncle Argyle
Guest
I agree Ryan. I think his form this year has been an improvement on the past. I think he will move back to the lock position next week with either Horwill or Timani Fardy should return to the flank.
Ryan Waters
Roar Rookie
Im all for it, actually. If you dont try new things then you will never learn and I know it is a cliche for the Wallabies but it really is a learning experience? Listen, a team is continuously evolving and in my view it is good that the Wallabies arent conforming to ""set positions'.