Sekope Kepu is nervously looking over his shoulder as a new generation of multi-skilled Wallabies props comes through the ranks.
The emergence of Tom Robertson and Allan Alaalatoa has been a highlight of Australia’s recent Rugby Championship wins, with both players in the touring squad for the upcoming Tests against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday (Sunday morning AEST) and Argentina in London next weekend.
Robertson made his international debut off the bench in the 36-20 victory over Los Pumas, filling in for four-cap youngster Allan Alaalatoa, who missed out with a knee injury but could be fit in time to face the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld.
Together with Queensland Reds excitement machine Taniela Tupou, whose progress Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is watching closely, the trio represents a bright future for Australia’s front-row stocks – leaving veteran Kepu with somewhat mixed feelings.
“It’s exciting and scary for me,” he said.
“I’m almost 10 years older than a couple of those guys.
“I’m just more happy for Australian rugby that we’ve got young guys coming through and the important thing for those young guys is to get that experience and bide their time.
“They’re in a great program and it’s exciting for me to know when I move on, there’s a lot of great young props and players – not only can they scrum but they can run and carry the ball a fair bit.”
Cheika has also flagged the possibility of converting Robertson from tighthead to loosehead to balance out the Australian pack.
That would allow the 22-year-old to start alongside Kepu – who is currently Australia and NSW’s starting tighthead prop – next year when the veteran returns to the Waratahs following his brief stint with French club Bordeaux.
“If that’s what they’ve got planned, I’m sure he’ll take that with two hands,” Kepu said.
“He’s going to become a doctor so he’s a smart cookie and he knows his footy. He’s always learning, asking questions and I’m sure he’ll be there in the program for the next little while.”
Die hard
Roar Rookie
You make things much clearer. Thank you so much for the reply
jeznez
Roar Guru
Different pressures lead to the position suiting different body types - the fact that a TH can be square with weight across both shoulders suits some players better, while others struggle with the strength required facing two players and appreciate the greater mobility allowed by packing on the outside edge at LH. The changes to the engagement bringing in the pre-bind have changed what suits different players as well. A TH being able to pack really close to the LH without needing to shift his feet used to gain huge advantage - Adam Jones was one of the best at this, and one of the best contests was watching him take on a short LH like Benn Robinson who would aim to get lower on engagement and drive up. Now longer limbed props can adjust their feet back on the Bind and before the Set to bring their height down and stronger players like Kepu and Mtawarira really came into their own after the changes. Ryan fits into the model of a longer limbed prop - especially in his legs however he struggled once the engagement changed until switching across this season. It really depends on the prop and what they find comfortable. There used to be arguments over whether the TH or LH should be taller, an argument that TH's should have broader chests but smaller shoulders and all sorts of other ideas but all of those things are mutable given the different ways of scrummaging. Hayman certainly didn’t fit the mould of a traditional TH prop with his height and width of shoulder but his technique and strength more than made up for it. Apologies not to give you a simple answer but there isn’t one. Probably the simplest components I can share is that a LH generally wants to be angled in driving the TH’s right shoulder towards his right hip (parallel with the ground), while being under the TH and bending the TH’s head down while driving his chest upwards. Meanwhile a TH generally wants to be square with his weight bearing down on a LH and twisting the LH’s outside shoulder down. All the above can and will change if the team has a concerted plan for the whole eight to execute.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I am impressed by Tom Robertson but not so much Allan Alaalatoa. Admitedly I still don't know how to rate a prop properly except around the field. With all the new cameras and angles we still don't know what goes on in there. I am curious Jez just how possible it is to successfully swap sides in the scrum. Are the roles that much different in the push and grind. Obviously they are not interchangeable at Super level and up but why?
jeznez
Roar Guru
So Cheika is converting Alan Alaalatoa from loose to tight and looking at doing the reverse with Tom? I get that would create opportunities for Sio and Alaalatoa to start together at the Brumbies and Robertson and Kepu to do the same at the Tahs but seems a bit of an odd move to me. Couple those pairing with Slipper and Tupou at the Reds and there is some promising talent coming through but having two of them training in new roles that are directly opposed to what the other is doing doesn't seem the wisest course to me. Particularly as Ryan really came along as a LH last year at the Tahs.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
an anonymous non-article! Slow news day.