Viking
Mark Ella (57)
There is some merit in starting Samu and finishing with a very fast backrow of Samu, McReight and Valetini………if all goes to plan. Being that NZ are without Ardie Savea and are playing a lock at 6, McReights speed and effectiveness at the breakdown may have been a bonus in establishing parity there. Samus ability in close contact may help initially in a similar way.
Really not sure what to make of this side but hoping for the best and as always will be behind them.
The fast finishing theory only works if we are still in the game during the back end.
I think McReight provides a better point of difference from the start to give us an edge. No use having him come on late if the game is over.
Anyway, as usual, we aren't the coaches and haven't seen what these guys are doing at training etc.
McReights breakdown work didn't exactly help in our losses against SA or Argentina. I think Rennie's view is that winning the breakdown starts at winning the initial contact. Which is where Samu is better.
Not even David Pocock is going to help us if we are constantly losing the initial hit. I think Ireland and SA with there recent wins showed how important this was in the current game.