My first sightings of Wallaby locks were Dr Phil Hardcastle, Joe Kraefft, Grahame Cooke, Rex Mossop and Alan Cameron in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and none of them were tall timbers.
Garrick Fay was the first in the ’70s at 197cms for his 24 caps, then the King of them all – John Eales – at 200cms from 1991 to 2001 for 86 caps and two World Cups.
In the early 2000s Nathan Sharpe stood at 200cms and played 116 Tests. Justin Harrison’s 201cms for 34 made him another genuine tall timber.
And in recent times Will Skelton’s 203cms (18 caps) and Dean Mumm at 196cms for 56 caps both played their part.
But right now, what was rare has become a tsunami – a tsunami of tall timbers.
Rory Arnold’s 208cms has been joined by Adam Coleman’s 204, Izack Rodda’s 202, Rob Simmons’ 199, Matt Philip’s 199, and Lukhan Tui’s 198. It means far too many quality footballers will miss out on the four and five jerseys – and therefore miss out altogether.
But what about the six and eight jerseys?
That’s food for thought for Wallaby coach Michael Cheika.
Michael Cheika (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Imagine a Wallaby lineout with four 200-plus centimetre jumpers that even Tatafa Polota-Nau must surely find.
These days the Wallabies avoid lineouts like the plague because of the combination of inaccurate feeding and a poor lineout technique.
But with half the lineout over 200cms, and Sekope Kefu handy at 188, lineouts would be a breeze.
Then it would be up to Cheika to get the blindside flanker, and No 8, up to speed for modern day rugby.
That wouldn’t be difficult with all of the above tall timbers very mobile.
It’s too early for the Bledisloe Cup, and Rugby Championship, that’s not the time to start experimenting on a major scale.
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But the end of the year northern hemisphere tour would be ideal, then link with Super Rugby coaches to try aspirants for the six and eight jersey.
How about a Wallaby scrum of (1) Scott Sio, (2) Tatafa Polota-Nau, (3) Sekope Kepu, (4) Rory Arnold, (5) Adam Coleman, (6) Lukhan Tui, (7) David Pocock (c), and (8) Izack Rodda?
That would be the most feared pack in international rugby.
If the backs can stay injury free with (9) Will Genia, (10) Bernard Foley, (11) Tom Banks, (12) Kurtley Beale, (13) Reece Hodge, (14) Dane Haylett-Petty and Israel Folau the custodian – that is potential Rugby World Cup winning material in Tokyo next year.
The return of Matt Toomua from Leicester to the Rebels is another major plus, but purely as a benchman to cover fly-half, inside centre, and fullback.
Rob Simmons to join him on the bench to complete the amalgamation of the big men.
Tim Conroy
Guest
I think it was Tim Gavin who got injured.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So Samu in a better performing team was basically the same for performance metrics (tackle breaks and meters per run) and somehow that translates to more grunt and aggression?
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
TWAS, I just opened the Super Rugby Stats from Fox Sports and looked at the stats of the 2 players. Both had 14 Games with Samu playing 550 mins and Timu playing 867 mins. Their stats come up quite even, very even in fact. And yet, Samu played in the tougher franchise and achieved roughly the same stats of metres per run, tackle breaks, turnovers - Samu (7) and Timu (8) with Samu in about 1.6 times less game time. For me Samu shows more grunt and aggression. But yes, he is shorter. Horses for courses.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Dempsey is 191cm... it’s a little short, but taller than Samu... Samu makes about 11 tackles and 10 carries per 80 minutes. Timu makes 12 tackles and 10 carries per 80. So there goes any measurable justification for work rate. And no. Line outs rely on height. Otherwise you could just throw 2 talks up and you would never be able to angle a throw over them to a tall jumper. In fact the All Blacks play with 5 jumpers all over 190cm.
Reality Check
Guest
Why would you worry about Tui`s Speed at 6 when Hanigan has played there?.
Reality Check
Guest
^ But otherwise he is still much tougher more skilled than weak Hanigan.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Thanks Don!!!
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
You would have to start it, wouldn't you. Ha! Ha! How does one get smileys on this blog!!
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Seconded!!
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
So, are you saying that being one of the small players in height for the No. 6 position is a fault. Dempsey was not tall and not a lineout option. The ABs have 3 lineout options. Two x locks and a No. 8. Their 6s and 7s have not been real stand out lineout jumpers. Samu is as good if not better than Tui in aggression and tough play. Timu is tough and a No. 8 but he does go missing in terms of work-rate. Samu is tough and has a very good work-rate. Lineouts are won by lineout management. We have tall timber locks. Improve throws and systems to the front and back and get our players to lift correctly, then we might be competitive. The overall concept of height being the only prerequisite to a lineout is BS. I would think I would prefer Samu when the going gets tough to Timu who has a tendency to go missing. Tui, I am still not sold on, yet! Everyone calls for Dempsey coming back, well he is short!!
jeznez
Roar Guru
His memory must be pretty warped if they remind him of himself - he was nothing like the style of those two players. He was not the tall lanky lineout option, he was the hard abrasive blindiside that a guy like Finegan looked to model a lot of his play on.
Reality Check
Guest
Morsie And his continued use of plodding club players Mumm and Hanigan who remind him of himself ?
Markin
Guest
Or give him a run at 10 - he’s got a massive motor, physical coordination, some ball skills. He can’t kick but neither can the incumbent (in general play)
Bodger
Guest
He doesn't give up either. Latu was decent against the Irish and BPA was adequate but neither played at the level TPN was at last year.
Dahl
Guest
I think that it's more a comment you typically expect from people called Jeff, with a J. The other Geoffs wouldn't say such things.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Timu hardly jumps for the Reds because he's not good. Timu is not at this stage a skillful rugby player, decent runner at SR level.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Not bad but I would have Hooper at 7
Morsie
Guest
I've had a theory for number of years, that Cheika, being a former back rower, a 6 or an 8, who never got to play for the Wallabies, has big problems with selecting both 6 and 8. His dismissal of both Fardy and Higginbotham early on brought this theory to my attention. Deep down he thinks those positions should be his or there's some kind of screwed up psychology going on. Just a thought.
JohnB
Guest
And Gavin was another converted second rower. Terribly unfortunate as he'd really been playing well at 8.
double agent
Guest
What backline doesn't struggle against rush defence?