Invariably, when talk begins on who will be selected for the Wallabies, most of it revolves around the prima donnas and powder-puffs who have double digit numbers on their backs.
However, these guys can’t do what they do best if the piggies aren’t going well, in particular at the set piece, and there is no better place for backs to score tries than from a good solid scrum.
Of course, it’s not just the tighthead props who bear the responsibility for an effective scrum, but I’d say it starts there.
So the question that Ewen McKenzie needs to be asking is, who are my three best tighthead props?
Now, I’m no expert on the subtleties of the front row, nor on playing at Super Rugby or Test level, but I’ve come up with the following thoughts for the national coach.
Below are players currently playing as a tighthead prop, or have proven in the past they can play it at a professional level.
Here they are, in alphabetical order:
| PLAYER | AGE WEIGHT | SUPER WEIGHT | SUPER | TESTS | GAMES | STARTS |
| Ben Alexander | 29 | 120 | 86 | 61 | 11 | 11 |
| Greg Holmes | 30 | 114 | 106 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Sekope Kepu | 28 | 118 | 71 | 38 | 10 | 6 |
| Kieran Longbottom | 28 | 113 | 50 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Kevin Ryan | 25 | 117 | 39 | 2 | 10 | 5 |
| James Slipper | 25 | 117 | 51 | 34 | 10 | 9 |
| Laurie Weeks | 28 | 117 | 70 | 0 | 9 | 8 |
Yes there are some omissions, but I don’t think those guys will be ready for next year’s Rugby World Cup. Let’s have a look at each of the stats before we look at the players.
Age:
Increased age doesn’t necessarily mean increased skill or wisdom, so older is not necessarily better. However, you can only have learnt so much at a young age.
Weight:
Some guys at 115 kilograms are more effective than those at 125 kilograms, so increased weight is not an indicator in itself.
Super Rugby games:
Do some players play lots of games because they are really good, or because there is no one else?
Test matches:
Same as above. We all know of players who racked up many Tests for the Wallabies who should never have played that many.
Total games this year:
It’s hard to judge form on limited on-field time, even for proven Test players if they haven’t played much this year. More games played this year the better.
Total starts this year:
If you are always starting for your team, you’re probably the best at your province and you’re doing the harder yards early on, and generally for longer.
The Candidates
I’ve often thought Ben Alexander wasn’t up to Test scrummaging, even though he was good around the park. But that sort of mentality, brought on by Eddie Jones, did the Wallabies no end of harm. This year however, I think Alexander has done well in the scrums while maintaining his wider form.
James Slipper is another who is not the best at scrum time, but he has a high work rate. I think he too has been pretty good at the set piece.
The disappointments for mine have been Sekope Kepu and Kevin Ryan. I just don’t see them as cutting it come World Cup time.
Greg Holmes has been a solid Reds player for years, but has never established himself as a serious Test-level tighthead prop.
From my table this leaves two candidates, Laurie Weeks and Kieran Longbottom. Both are in teams that are not seen as serious contenders, yet their scrums are doing well, and they are playing and starting virtually every game for their respective sides.
So who to pick?
Sometimes it seems as though Australian selectors feel that if a player hasn’t been picked by the time he is 24, then he’s over the hill. He’ll never play 100 Tests for Australia. I also think Australia often selects players on reputation, rather than on form.
To at least make the final of the World Cup we need to pick players in form, and if they have not yet played for the Wallabies then these future debutants need to be playing right now. Fortunately the Wallabies have some time to give a few debutants a decent run before things get serious next year.
We start with the series against France, where the Wallabies can afford to give one or two debutants an opportunity. For the Rugby Championship the Wallabies need to get some momentum and select the absolute best, with no room for experimentation. Hopefully some of those who have had a chance during the series against France will also be in contention for the Rugby Championship.
Then the end-of-year rugby Tests are the final opportunity to blood some new players, because after that, what is done is done.
So which tighthead props should McKenzie pick for the series against the French? I suggest one proven at Test level, and one up-and-comer who should be peaking in just over one year from now.
Ben Alexander or James Slipper should be picked as the experienced pro, and either Kieran Longbottom or Laurie Weeks should be the newbie.
If they are still playing well come the end of the Super Rugby season, one or both might also go on the end-of-year Tests to confirm whether or not they are ready for the big league.
Scott
Guest
While no one wants to see a player injured it may well be a blessing in disguise that Alexander is out for the France series and Weeks has been add to the extended squad. I would have preferred Longbottom but fortunately he has decided to look for opportunities in Europe. I wonder if he was on McKenzie's radar, and if so if Longbottom knew it???
Mike
Guest
I would look at experience as a major factor, as well as recent and past form, and with an eye to injury. Age is also a factor - 22 year olds can look good in provincial games, but its a rare prop who can do well at the top level at that age. That said, Scott Sio might be one of those rarities. Kieran Longbottom is just at the age where a prop would be reaching his best. With five provincial sides established and competing hard against each other, Australia now has a better chance of developing a stable of quality props than they did a few years ago. When looking at choice of props for a test side, I think six is the minimum to consider - starter, bench and Injury replacement. We too easily forget the issues we have faced with injuries in 2012 and 2013, and we have three bruising encounters with the French followed by TRC. Loosies: Slipper, Robinson, Sio Tightheads: Kepu, Alexander, Longbottom This means we start with experienced test props who have shown at least reasonable provincial form in the first match vs France. If any of them clearly are having problems, then Sio or Longbottom will get called up quickly. But regardless, injuries mean it won't be long before Sio and Longbottom are playing. Given our recent record with injuries, we need to keep our eye on others as well. I think Pek Cowan has been showing some lift in form, and also Paul(?) Alo-Emile. I wouldn't consider Paddy Ryan at present and I think Cheika needs to consider whether he is really doing him any favours by playing him so much. Ben Daley is another who needs to work on his game. But both of these gents are young, for props. If they put their heads down and work on their skills, they still have many years to press for test selection.
Jerry
Guest
We've already painted their faces on a plane and scheduled the parade down Queen Street.
Mike
Guest
That's cool Tony H. On that basis, All Blacks are guaranteed to win the RWC. Absolutely guaranteed. Nothing to see here, move along folks... :)
Mike
Guest
Don't even mention TPN...
Mike
Guest
Anyone who picks test props based purely on 2014 "form" is laying the foundation for more Wallaby failure. The idea that became trendy last season of picking on form rather than "reputation" did not lead to any better results for the Wallabies, in fact rather the reverse. It applies even less to props than it does to other players. BTW, when people say "reputation", what they really mean is "proven ability in the past to handle test match pressure". That is important when comparing a more senior player with a rookie, because the latter remains a lottery - some can reproduce their S15 form at test level, and some can't.
Mike
Guest
"So props mature differently as well. It’s rare to find a good one younger than mid twenties. That’s when they are usually just getting good. Late twenties are usually their better years." Spot on.
cashead
Roar Rookie
Has he? Dang. Just the one cap in a losing test seems criminal considering how he was the best Aussie tighthead for ages before his call-up. In which case, I would go with Slipper and Weeks as the tightheads, Alexander in the Ben Franks utility prop role and Robinson as the loosehead.
Birdy
Guest
Personally; if I was an Aussie looking at my tighthead stocks I'd be pushing for Dan Crowley to start with Ewen McKenzie as player-coach off the bench. I know they'll both be 50 by the World Cup, but they'll still be better and have more mongrel than the collection of girls you've got propping now.
Whakatane
Guest
Ryan is a terrible pick. Sio has been outstanding and Alexander has improved (maybe due to the new scrum laws). Slipper is reliable and looks good at LH even though I'd love it if Sio was LH and Slipper TH. Palmer has retired btw. He wrote an article about it I believe.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep. But could be convinced to play Slips at TH and add a different LH to the mix.
Scott
Guest
so Jeznez, if you consider Slipper primarily a LHP, then Kepu and Longbottom are your preferred THPs?
Blueberry
Guest
Lumpy n stumpy
Scott
Guest
Jameswm, as I said in the article I can't guarantee the stats ;) Think I got it from the Brumbies site. I also didn't think Alexander was up to it, but think he has improved this year.
Scott
Guest
Haven't picked Robinson. I was only looking at THPs. I also didn't suggest Kepu, just included him in the list of those who might be considered.
jeznez
Roar Guru
It's definitely one way to go. I'm torn as Slipper is currently a better LH than he is a TH - will that always be the case? Who knows. If I had complete faith in a back up to Sio then I'd fully endorse the plan but I have concern over Robinson, Cowan and Smith as the guys to partner Sio at LH further clouding the issue. I think in the early part of the international season we should probably only make one shift or new selection. So for the opening game or two I'd look at: Sio, Robinson LH and Slipper, Kepu TH or Sio, Slipper LH, Kepu, Longbottom TH Then if the switch or new inclusion are working out we can tweak further over the course of the international season.
Daws
Guest
I'd be happy with any 2 of those 3. Feel like Slipper should get the nod seeing as he's the youngest and got the most chance of growing into something special, but maybe he will be picked at 1 instead.
Combesy
Roar Guru
I think Charles deserves a crack purely from the heart he has put in. But I think Hansen is the real prospect and is developing well just needs more time on the paddock
Combesy
Roar Guru
Jez, id like to see them move slipper back to THP so we can try Sio LHP and Slipper at THP, I think we could establish a very good long term front row with those two
jameswm
Roar Guru
At least the WC isn't being played next week! I think by the time the WC rolls around Sio could be a real world class LH. Moore is already a world class hooker, if not the best around. TH won't be as good, but maybe by then Slipper will be serviceable in the scrum under heavy pressure. And by the way we still need to sort our locks out. Horwill Simmons Fardy (I prefer him at 6, initially anyway) Jones Skelton Wykes I see Jones, Skelton and one of the Qlders as our locks for the WC. Pick Horwill and we lack a jumper a bit, but we do have Fardy at 6 who is good in the lineout.