If the hand injury to David Pocock wasn’t a bitter enough pill to swallow for the Wallabies, replacement Sean McMahon has been hit with the injury stick during Australia’s loss to the Springboks.
McMahon hit the deck in the first half of the 18-10 loss in Pretoria clutching at the ankle and took no part in the second half.
All the wash-up from Springboks vs Wallabies:
» SPIRO: Wallabies lost to back-to-the-future Boks
» LORD: Steyn’s boot sinks wasteful Wallabies
» The Wrap: Back to the future not for the better
» DIY Player Ratings results
» Five talking points
» What changes should the Wallabies make for Argentina?
» Match report: Wallabies fall short
» Re-live all the action with our live blog
» Watch highlights from the match
While he’s been taken away for scans, it’s expected to be revealed as ligament damage in the ankle, and he has been ruled out of the Wallabies’ next Rugby Championship match, against Argentina in London this weekend.
With the Championship ending injury to Pocock and now the McMahon dilemma, coach Michael Cheika is quickly running into a wall in terms of his forward pack.
So where to now? Who has No. 8 written all over them for the next Test? Who can Cheika go to?
Lopeti Timani
Timani has already poked his head out as favourite to take the spot, just one game into his international career.
While many expected the big Tongan born to play as a replacement second rower or a flexible flanker when brought into the squad, he’s raised his hand to slot in at the back of the scrum.
The 26-year-old has played five seasons of Super Rugby for the Waratahs and Rebels, but he’s really come into his own during the last two seasons with the Melbourne outfit, impressing enough to be picked in Cheika’s squad regardless of the McMahon injury.
Cheika may be inclined to select him simply as a case of blooding new talent, especially against Argentina who won’t pose the threat of New Zealand. It’s a game that the coach can bring Timani in and give him that run on experience so he’s ready if he’s moved around positions when McMahon or Pocock return.
Timani has all the attributes to take on the No. 8 role despite it not being his usual place in the pack, but his flexibility across the park could hurt him.
Cheika may want to leave him on the bench as a reliable impact player that can fill in almost anywhere in the forward pack. Being narrowed down to the one run on spot could be better for him, but not necessarily the team.
Scott Fardy
The man that replaced McMahon against the Proteas.
Fardy has had an interesting international career to say the least. He’s always been in and around the Wallabies side, but never been able to lock down that starting position and securing his spot as a certain selection for the coaches.
While not a normal No. 8, Fardy is a man that oozes consistency and effort, and that shined through against South Africa in the second half.
The 32-year-old has racked up plenty of caps in the green and gold, but his age means that his selection at eight isn’t likely to be a long term one.
In a way though, that’s what is most likely to get him over the line among the other options to replace McMahon.
McMahon has been touted as a very real long term option at No. 8 for the Wallabies despite the time frame on Pococks return, who is now expected to be shifted into flanker.
The injury to McMahon isn’t expected to be too serious, so if he comes back sooner rather than later, then he’s very likely to slot back into his role at the back of the scrum, pushing the temporary replacement back out.
Who better to put in there for just one or two games than Fardy? A player that is already deep in the squad regardless of position, and a player that can shift over to 8 and move back again with ease.
Ben McCalman
McCalman isn’t a part of the current squad overseas at the moment, but is more than a sufficient replacement if needed.
Currently plying his trade in the NRC, the Dubbo-born Western Force man has recovered well from a shoulder injury that has kept him off the park for a good chunk of the 2016 international calendar.
He’s one game off half a century of Wallaby appearances and has proven himself on the international stage on more than one occasion.
He’s a strong pick for Cheika with a tonne of experience, and has been back in top form for the Perth Spirit in the NRC after the aforementioned injury.
The issue here is that short time frame of McMahon’s injury though. Is it worth flying him over to London and bringing him into the side if the time frame for return is short?
In terms of talent and positional experience McCalman is most likely the best option for the No. 8 role compared to the other candidates, but the presence of Timani and his future progression could be the roadblock.
Charlie Turner
Guest
The definition of insanity would be playing Skelton at 8. You would need a trained paramedic and a crash cart on the sidelines at the 20 minute mark.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Nice work digging up Bayfields dream team. I don't recall Tala's injuries but you have to wonder why he wasn't convinced to stay with the Tahs when it was obvious the Palu was on his way out. I'm sure the money lured him back to France but I have always felt he's one the got away.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Browny the impressive thing about those stats is Timani has made them from lock, all the others are backrowers. If he can soften his hands and improve his linking/passing he should be the Wallaby 8 going forward.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Tala Grey was constantly injured that was why he got little game time.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Mumm did make the Aviva dream team One of the most-eagerly awaited Awards was handed out by former England international Martin Bayfield and his BT Sport colleague Alastair Eykyn, the BT Sport Aviva Premiership Rugby Dream Team: 15 Anthony Watson (Bath), 14 Christian Wade (Wasps), 13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath), 12 Henry Slade (Exeter), 11 Sinoti Sinoti (Newcastle), 10 George Ford (Bath), 9 Joe Simpson (Wasps), 8 Nathan Hughes (Wasps), 7 Francois Louw (Bath), 6 Dave Ewers (Exeter), 5 Dean Mumm (Exeter, captain), 4 Graham Kitchener (Leicester), 3 Tomas Francis (Exeter), 2 Jamie George (Saracens), 1 Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Charlie Turner
Guest
Peter, Mumm was the standout lock for the Chiefs and a good captain but he would not have been in the top 5 locks in the Aviva overall, maybe not even top 10. Houston in 2014/15 would have easily rated in the top 5 backrowers in the Aviva and won best forward at Bath amongst a very high quality pack including Francois Louw. From memory the Bath coaches rotated Houston on and off the bench to keep him fresh rather than flog him for 60 - 80 minutes every game. Tala Grey is another player the Cheika didn't rate that looks great playing in the North.
Timbo (L)
Guest
Vunipola and Faletou have full service #7's packing in next to them, They don't have to worry about doing 1/2 of another players job. Neither would be selected in the current Wallabies side because of Hooper's "Special Needs" What a bout Kieren Reid? He is fast and Agile, and less like a wrecking ball. He is one of the first at the breakdown and pulling down Lineout Balls. McCalman plays a similar game, and before anyone falls off their AB trolley, I am not claiming that he is a better player.
CUW
Guest
@ jeznez very much doubt that. first of all , to change would be to admit his theory is wrong. given the way he behaves in the box , i very much doubt he is one to admit fault. secondly, auzzy do not have outstanding players in certain positions like 8 so he can always use it as an excuse. thirdly there are some like the saffer's coach , who seem to think this whole idea of specialists for positions is rubbish , LOL.
Zac McLean
Roar Pro
I'd like to see Fardy replace Mumm at 6 - and Timani slot in at 8. That way we lose nothing in the lineout. Bring on Leroy Houston in the final quarter for Timani.
Browny
Roar Rookie
Skelton doesn't have the tank to play a tight forward game so I think the extra running required from the back of the scrum might kill him. Timani has been pretty consistent at SR level for the last two years. Gill did get 15 tests so it's not like we never saw him, although a couple of games in a row might have helped his cause.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
Why has Skelton never been given a run at number 8? Thats the sort of big ball runner you want in the position. Otherwise, Lopeti is next in line. Just hope he can play consistently .... has been an issue for the Timani brothers in the past. Would love to have seen Gill at number 7. And please .... lets not go back to McCalman; what do they say is the definition of insanity?
Bman
Guest
Big difference between who should and who will. Deep down we all know that Dean Mumm will wear the #8 jersey and we will all want to give ourselves an uppercut. It should however be Timani as he needs to get some more exposure to the test arena as he is a future star.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Mate, we are playing without a specialist 12 and some would argue fullback, others will say that the 7 isn't fulfilling his core duties and with Alaalatoa and even Toby Smith given shots at TH he is prepared to play LH's out of position. I think it is pretty clear that he thinks many of the roles can be re-interpreted, not just 8. Hopefully he moves closer to a structure that is closer to the tried and true.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Vunipola & Faletau might disagree with you there Timbo. Of course the perfect 8 is fast & agile & also a wrecking ball but that player is not around in Australian rugby right now. If I was the ARU I would stop buying outside backs from league & grab a young 2nd rower or two to put some time into.
Timbo (L)
Guest
That doesn't address the elephant in the room - the skills shortage left behind by Hooper. The #8 needs to be fast and agile, the days of the wrecking ball are over. You bloood your new players when you have established dominance and the risk of injury is reduced.
Timbo (L)
Guest
Most other teams give their Pilferer a #7 Jersey (#6 in France), Cheika's Wallabies don't, and the only spot left is #8, thus the shoe box and the requirement for it to be staffed by a pilferer. If you trade Hooper for a pilferer, you can have your traditional #8 back, but until then, you need a #8 that can fetch or a #7 that can do #8 duties. Otherwise the backs get too much fresh air and start kicking field goals.....Ahem..... Sorry Leroy and Lopeti you will have to wait for a climate shift before that slot is free again.. How it is supposed to work: In a tight head scrum feed - Hooper Launches and hits the 8,9 or 10 early, while they are standing still. Pocock from the #8 position only 2m behind, comes in to clean out or go straight in to nick their stuff. A full service #7 makes both the tackle and goes in for the steal. Understandably the success rate is lower. MacMahon's pilfering skills aren't as good as Pocock's so he isn't a great match for Hooper.. McCalman isn't as quick to the breakdown as Pocock but can pilfer, clean out and protect a breakdown, he is abetter match. You rarely see Hooper do any of these jobs, it just isn't in his brief and he isn't really built for it. The number 6 doesn't need to chase as hard as a #7 but needs to be able to make both the tackle and the pilfer on a player that is already moving at speed. Size and strength is required, This is Fardy's wheelhouse. Mumm's selection at 6 is one of the reason's the Australian breakdown kept getting smacked on Saturday. DHP and Folau both got caught in malls - Hooper or Mumm should have prevented this but they were too late on the scene.
mattyp
Guest
I should have been clearer, I wasn't implying you were knocking the Aviva, but more commenting that generally people seem to discount it generally. It's weird how that works for Leroy and Mumm - I guess there is something to how you fit in, the role you are used in etc. Players that are comfortable may shine but move somewhere else where they don't feel they fit in in the same way, for whatever reason, and don't appear to be as good. My suspicion is that Leroy could look very good in this Wallaby team because he's very complimentary.
PeterK
Roar Guru
exactly
jeznez
Roar Guru
We've got a fair idea what we'd get from him after 47 tests. I think it worthwhile seeing what Lopeti and Leroy can bring in to the mix. He's just coming back from injury so not terrible to take a look at the others, gives him time to recover and if they aren't good enough he can be brought back in.
CUW
Guest
@ jeznez : Dude , ur team has played without an 8 , a proper 8 who plays there week-in, week-out in most of the tests since last year world cup. so there is no reason for someone like Fardy or Timani cannot play there. my thinking is this. when ur coach opted to bring in a hooker when ur most experienced 8 (Palu) got injured at world cup , he was saying " i dont think 8 is a specialist position!". since then he has opted to go with people who have rarely if ever played at 8 ( xcept maybe Mccalmann got a gig sometime ). why would he change that view - despite conventional wisdom telling us all that NO.8 is one position that need very highly skilled and experienced performer ???