Wales should understand the problem they face if Sean McMahon is selected as Michael Hooper’s replacement on Saturday night at Twikenham.
There will be no let up from the breakdown fury and hard running the Wallabies have shown so far this tournament.
McMahon has been the Wallabies’ most consistently physical player at training. From all accounts he has commanded a great deal of respect and fear from the work he has put in throughout the Wallabies World Cup preparations. His attitude and his training has pushed other squad members to lift their contribution.
Wales will face an arguably weaker Wallabies team than England with Rob Horne injured, Michael Hooper paying a one-match ban and the possibility Israel Folau might miss his first match in a long time with an ankle complaint.
McMahon’s training and attitude has lorded him among his peers and has earned him to this point a number of starting places in Wallabies sides, most notably his selection in last year’s spring tour.
However, McMahon’s moment is now if he wants to assert himself as the eventual heir to the Michael Hooper/David Pocock era. You get the feeling he doesn’t like to be viewed as an alternative option to the ‘Pooper’ combination. He has his chance to mark himself as a starting possibility in a pressure situation.
McMahon comes across as a player that lets his work do the talking. No-nonsense ball running and attentive at the breakdown he is the perfect replacement for the classy Hooper for this game. He also has that same ‘mad eyes’ look that Hooper possesses which makes them both formidably physical players.
I think Michael Cheika should continue with his push with Pocock at No.8 and resist the temptation to pull back into the past and play him at Seven allowing Ben McCalman to slot in at the back. No disrespect to McCalman here who has played his role well so far this World Cup, but McMahon allows Cheika to continue this so far ‘successful’ experiment that could ultimately have longer term implications on the Wallabies style and back row selection.
While we have the true number 7 flanker ranks strong, we should take advantage of them, because we can see what happens when a strong side the likes of England plays without one. We need to tap this resource while we are able.
Chris Robshaw is clearly a blindside flanker and England’s lack of a real break down presence against the Wallabies certainly played them out of last weekend’s match.
The time is now for Sean McMahon. Beware Wales, and anyone else who the Wallabies may meet in the tournament.
Davo
Guest
+1 (from a Reds fan). He's the new David Croft.
Paul
Guest
Or the most over rated
boonzie
Guest
i reckon he'll get his 3rd man of the match award (not based on twitter...)
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
McMahon looks a star in the making but he's going to struggle to make it as an international opensider where the Wallabies have such great depth. Maybe retread him as a blindsider? Fardy's a bit of a plodder and the Wallabies don't have anywhere near the same depth at 6 that they have at 7. Also, you can then call your loose trio "McPoop".
icky47
Guest
I don't think Pocock is "Badly Placed" at No.8, and could mix it with any world class No.8. I believe the secret here is in Dean Mumm, Kane Douglas, along with Rob Simons. He may give way a couple of inches, but so what? He is an awesome 115kgs coming off the back of the scrum. I think for this game its the best move.
icky47
Guest
Quite right Jameswm! Nothing between them!
RT
Guest
And not a bad line out option. Gill probably the unluckiest man in Aussie rugby.
Darrell
Roar Rookie
I still feel that in this situation Liam Gill would be the most effective replacement if he was in the squad. Whilst McMahon offers superior agression, ball running and tackling Gill really is a breakdown specialist and would most suitably uphold the Pooper's intention: total ruck domination.
DJM
Guest
Great call with inclusion of McMahon the kid deserves his big moment . Regarding lineout someone already pointed out not much will be lost with Hooper out . Hopefully Mumm will call plenty of short quick lineouts to retain own ball & McMahon can cause havoc around the rucks . The top tiers don't lose to many of their own lineouts so inclusion of McMahon for Hooper is no loss . Good luck to Sean & Wallabies.. should be a cracker -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
RT
Guest
Noted
Tycoch22
Guest
Paul James v Gethin Jenkins. Jenkins better in the loose. James better in the scrum
Tycoch22
Guest
Martin Johnson fans might take issue with that
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
"Pooper" combination hahaha well done I haven't heard that before
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I'm very interested to see how involved McMahon is at the breakdown, at this stage I wouldn't call it a strength of his. Pocock and Fardy will need to do the donkey work there. Lots of man love for McMahon on the Roar, I'm not one of them at this stage, he is young and relatively untried against top tier opposition. In saying that hope he plays well.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
Who cares? He's a machine.
bazza
Guest
He hasn`t got the rugby nous or motor of the POOPER though..
somer
Guest
Yeah I agree. The tactical weaknesses you see with McMahon are similar to what you'd see with Hooper, so the Wallabies will learn more about whether the Pooper-type combo can cope with all comers. Pocock also gets to develop into the no.8 role better (not that's he's not performing superbly already).
aussikiwi
Guest
Got up before they went to bed......
Dave_S
Guest
I know the exchange rate wasn't always favourable, but only one ball, eh? Times were tough. And after the game, the senior players used to have to lick changing room clean with tongue. Try to tell the kids of today that, and they won't believe ye.
Jameswm
Guest
It was a good try, but don't try to tell me there was no element of luck in it.