If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the Wallabies will be feeling pretty smug after the All Blacks unveiled their own version of “Pooper” for the Bledisloe Cup opener.
However, the world champions have hinted that starting with two specialist openside flankers – and having a third on the bench – in Perth on Saturday could be a case of smoke and mirrors.
Having struggled to identify his best blindside flanker for the World Cup, coach Steve Hansen has asked in-form No.7 Ardie Savea to swap sides, teaming up with fellow openside Sam Cane.
It immediately sparked comparisons with Australia’s long-established but undersized combination of David Pocock and Michael Hooper, or “Pooper”.
Pocock’s calf injury means the Wallabies will for once boast the bigger back row in a trans-Tasman Test, with captain Hooper joined again by ball runners Isi Naisirani and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
The size discrepancy extends to the bench, where Australian loose forward cover Luke Jones towers over Matt Todd.
Skipper Kieran Read completes the visiting trio at No.8 but Hansen hinted strongly that Savea would spend time at the back of the scrum and employ the acceleration and power running that has been a hallmark of 2019.
The canny coach provided some insight when asked if the numbers on the jerseys of his back rowers were relevant.
“We don’t need to tell Australia everything do we? But probably not, they’re only numbers.”
Wallabies counterpart Michael Cheika is well aware Savea won’t play as a classical openside, having already identified the 36-Test veteran as a “hybrid” forward after coaching him in the Barbarians team four years ago.
“You get to see the player for what he is and he’s a bit of a hybrid between a No. 8, a six and a seven,” Cheika said.
“Often that can hurt players but he’s a good enough player to be able to push through that and continually be selected for New Zealand.
“We’ve always had that; we’ve played Pocock and Hooper together … I don’t think the profile of any player is the essential element, it’s more the quality of the player and he’s obviously got good quality … we’ll have to watch him closely.”
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
That's why I gave Brussouw as the example. He was an out and out fetcher, and a damned good one, considering his size. Flo is pretty close but I would argue there aren't any real fetchers anymore; the roles are much more complex. It's more about security. Hookers are the new fetchers, or as close as we're gonna get. Marx and Creevy are probably good examples.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Nope, Wallabies forwards were dominant all game. Another cheap shot from Barrett (he also took Hanigan's knee with a similar shoulder from the side), just nailed the coffin in the game. Cole saved there arses in the scum with getting his hooking right because every scrum they were going down or backwards.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't call them rubbish Bodger (and didn't). You don't feel the battle up front might have tilted in their favour after Barrett's mistake?
Bodger
Roar Rookie
The rubbish forwards certainly stuffed them tonight in every facet of the game. :-)
elvis
Roar Rookie
Smith/Waugh was the start of the losing era.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Beale into 7. He loves that stuff.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Yeah but the All Blacks practise.
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Scored a try looked good
Andy J
Roar Rookie
He’s playing for Tasman in the mitre 10, played against Wellington today
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
You wouldn't count Louw as one?
Nobody
Roar Rookie
— COMMENT DELETED —
Andrew Johnson
Guest
Playing mitre 10 cup for Tasman
Andrew Johnson
Guest
I assume he’s playing NPC but not sure he made himself unavailable for selection as he felt he was want ready physically for test rugby. I’m hoping that he is playing and will play the last warm up game before the World Cup, if you know any more please let me know.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Bodger - it’s called a pathway. An Ab earns the right to don the coveted black jersey by proving themselves at schoolboy, club, province, franchise then the national team. It’s worked for NZ, hence our success as the best team in all sports.
Jacko
Guest
Has Squire been playing Andrew?
Jacko
Guest
Savea /Cane....SANE
Andrew Johnson
Guest
I think come the World Cup we might see squire at 6 read 8 cane 7 with a bench containing Savea, and Barrett nice power coming off the bench!
QED
Roar Rookie
Overrated for being effective or overrated as being ineffective ? My subjective memory tells me only Jones/Kronfeld made it work consistently were the others the jury was out. Particularly Smith/Waugh causing the same deficiencies at line out that Pooper causes. Both were a similar Solomon’s choice. Pick one drop the other and find a traditional 6. That’s the job of the coach to make those hard decisions. Chieka has squid it the same as Eddie Jones did
Paul
Roar Rookie
Hodge everywhere but prop. I would have said anywhere but hooker however he’d probably have a decent throw into the lineout!
Paul
Roar Rookie
Bodger let's not forget Luke Jones at 196cm and 111kgs.