They say rugby is the game they play in heaven, and our redeemer is the fullback.
Let it be proclaimed with wailing and gnashing of teeth that if this be so, then the prince of positions remains the openside flanker and hence the fallen angel in our biblical analogy.
In 1991 Nick Farr-Jones, Michael Lynagh and David Campese were nicknamed ‘The Holy Trinity’ by the English press. The miasma of rugby wit and angelic gifts between the three conjured up an alchemy that would take the William Webb Ellis Cup away to Australia’s shores, heralding in a golden age for Australian rugby until the retirement Saint John of Eales and famous Dragon slayer, Saint George of Gregan.
Once again the Wallabies face the old foe in the shadow of the valley of death, and they remain unafraid, for – as the Vietnam veterans’ saying goes – they are the meanest motherf*****s in the valley.
Australia saunter like a seasoned gunslinger with over a 1000 Test matches’ experience in their books. Our set piece is questioned and so is the fluency of the backline.
A backline that will re-establishes Matt Giteua to his rightful place as the most electric midfielder in the game. Although it was 10 years ago, it was on this hallowed turf that ‘Kid Dynamite’ was unveiled and had a poor opener. He came back in 2004 and tore us doubting Thomases to shreds. He was playing outside the current Wallabies backs coach, and his deceptive play at the line left England in tatters.
While he may be a step slower, the Australian barrow has become faster and tougher. With all due respect to David Wilson, Phil Waugh and Simon Poidevin we now have an unholy mix of Greg Cornelson’s mobility, Tony Shaw’s ruggedness, packed with George Smith’s intelligence… And by Christ we have it in threes.
Once unleashed to support outside backs known for their strength and discipline in the tackle (Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rob Horne), it will simply be a matter of time until the back three seem to multiply and appear all over the pitch, sideline to sideline, while heavy-breathing English packs wonder, “Oh Lord, why have thou forsaken us?”
This may usher in a new wave of forward thinking. So it is a Faustian gifted prediction that this game will give way to revisionist history the same war the godless hordes of the dark ages were defined after the bones were stacked at the temples. I expect a dominant display led by the innovative trio making the backline look angelic. Every missed tackle covered, every half break supported and every breakdown an breaking down of their opponents.
Welcome to rugby: the game they play in heaven, and hell!
Alphonse
Guest
When will Fardy finally get the credit he deserves? Without such a complete tough and brainy no.6, the Hooper-Pocock 7-8 thing wouldn't work. Despite having the grunt and lineout capacity to also play at lock, he's a better pilferer than McMahon.
Utah
Guest
I don't think it will. The breakdown is more important than ever with teams and rules trying their best to encourage the running game. Pilfering ability and breakdown dominance is gold.
Dave_S
Guest
will be interesting to see if the Hooper / McMahon ultra loose forward style of player becomes more common over the next few years They are basically league back rowers in their skill set (and I mean that in a good way). if coaches find a way to accommodate them more often then we might see more league forwards come across to play in the back row.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Have you played Hooker?
Mike Julz
Guest
The only problem with the 3 of them starting in the back 3, is the lineout. They might have only one lineout option. But I actual like this loose forward combo, the 'McPooper'. They should tried it next year, but not in the World Cup.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I hope you are right but I think it is wishful thinking that the basic attack patterns have been held back. Sure some new set piece moves will be seen but Larkham has really disappointed in the predictable attack patterns he has coached at the wallabies and brumbies.
Dave_S
Guest
I'm hoping Bernie is out there to throw inside passes too but ... It's got me thinking tho, perhaps Chieks and Bernie were playing possum with everyone in the Fiji game - the backs could not have possibly been more conservative. Perhaps Bernie has been schooling Foley in the flyhalf arts and he is about to unleash a perfect creative storm against an English defence that has been training for something else? Perhaps I'm kidding myself ...
PeterK
Roar Guru
Actually IMO (and the ruck stats support this) McMahon has even less presence at the ruck than Hooper. He is 1st or 2nd to less rucks. McMahon hangs out waiting to run the ball more than Hooper.
Utah
Guest
I disagree. We don't need another short, lightweight, wide-playing, non-pilfering loosey. He's a great footballer, but he is lacking in the core skill-set of a 7 (pilfering and breakdown dominance). He's too small for a 6, particularly when we are playing a non-jumping 8.
Utah
Guest
For all McMahon's running and tackling ability, his presence at the breakdown is run of the mill. Very similar player to Hooper. I think we've learnt over the past couple of years that we have to dominate the breakdown to win test matches.
bennalong
Guest
Where did McMahon come from? He's not selected? As usual, people are underestimating the need for the tight five to put in. Simmons is there because he has to be for lineouts, not because he adds starch. Douglas does, though his work rate is appreciated only by the knowledgeable Moore is not what he was,especially with ball in hand, but he won't go backward. I expect Sio and Kepu to fire. The back three can win it for us, but I'm hoping Larkham will have some inside passes to take us up the middle before putting Folau on the outside. I'm tipping Izzy to score early.
nudgeee
Guest
.....if you want to be an average one then..... yes you may be correct.....
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Hooker is actually pretty damn simple. Push straight & hard. Hook. Throw straight. A prop can play hooker, or a 6/7 can play hooker. It's remarkably simple. There's little to no dark arts that you need to worry about at scrum time. If it took TPN the better part of a decade to learn how to throw; I'll back McMahon, Hooper or Pocock to learn twice as fast.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
I'd love the holy trinity to run England off the park. Fardy though better do something or just chuck McMahon on. McMahon is what our pack needs
riddler
Guest
cannon did it.. from no.8 to hooker.. not such a far stretched proposition.. youngs went from centre for leicetser reserves to lions hooker.. a bit more bulk on him and could be a interesting thought.. also squeak is not the player he was before the knee.. some people come back the same, some better, and some worse.. that is the life of an acl recon..
Billy Pulver
Guest
yes its that simple.
pjm
Roar Rookie
McMahon needs to learn how to be a hooker.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Considering that, until Bledisloe 2 - Chieka viewed Hooper as a better Openside than Pocock - and thought that the Wallabies were better off with Pocock's impact from the bench (LOL what a daft pri..) I doubt there's any chance of McMahon getting anywhere near the Wallabies Jersey unless we're already knocked out of the WC by the time we play Wales.