There is no doubt that the Wallabies are missing Fardy on the Spring Tour.
Fardy, after a poor series against France, had a good/very good 2nd half to the Rugby Championship. Against the Boks in Cape Town he made as many rucks as Hooper but had more impact. Against Argentina, Fardy had the most ruck engagements (36) with Hooper some way behind (20).
These two games also show the change in approach to the breakdown under Link and Cheika.
Under Link, both Fardy and Hooper made few contacts in rucks in Attack with most involvement in rucks in Defense.
Under Cheika, the Wallabies are now holding back on the majority of Defensive rucks. Turnovers, with the inherent penalty risk, are not a priority. The change started in the game against the Barbarians (maybe Bled3??) and in place by the game against Ireland.
Under Link
Boks: Hooper - Attack 20/31 Defense; Fardy - Attack 23/27 Defence
ARG: Fardy - Attack 14/22 Defence; Hooper - Attack 7/13 Defence
BLED3: Hooper - Attack 32/19 Defence; Fardy - Attack 29/10 Defence
Under Cheika
BaaBaas: Horwill - Attack 33/15 Defence; Hodgson - Attack 31/15 Defence; McMahon - Attack 30/8 Defence (Horwill & Hodgson - 'Old School')
Wales: Hooper - Attack 36/10 Defence; McMahon - Attack 26/7; Hodgson - Attack 10/8 Defence (10 mins) (Hodgson "Old School' -thank goodness!)
France: Hooper - Attack 22/14 Defence; McMahon - Attack 30/2 Defence; McCalman - Attack 24/3 (Transition almost complete)
Ireland: Hooper - Attack 34/5 Defence; Jones - Attack 17/2 Defence (Transition complete - everyone follows orders.)
The Wallabies have upped the pressure on the Offensive Rucks with a focus on ball retention but have taken the pressure off the Defensive Rucks with minimal efforts on turnover. I'm not enjoying it as it appears to be giving the opposition a free ride AND they are still getting through our defensive line. The Wallabies look "soft".
No 6 Against England
In the absence of Fardy, Horwill, McMahon and Jones have been tried at No 6 with limited success.
After reviewing all options, it's time to let Hodgson loose at No 6 and see what the tight (Hodgson)/loose (Hooper) combination can do for a full game.
Sharpie always had high regard for Hodgson in the lineout - and called him the WF/Wallabies 'secret weapon'.
Hodgson at No 6 - Some Background
John Mitchell (in discussion with Robbie Deans) had turned Hodgson into a 6 combining with Pocock.
In early 2009, Hodgson was called into the Wallabies to replace Rocky Elsom who was going to have a minor knee clean-out during the Rugby Championship/Tri-Nations. Hodgson's first game was against the Barbarians and unfortunately towards the end of the 1st half he was dropped in the lineout and dislocated his shoulder. 5 minutes later, and just before half time, someone stupidly made a lineout call which made Hodgson the lifter. Being Hodgson, he did the job but that dislocated the shoulder again and ruled him out of the rest of the game. He ended up making his Test debut from off the bench against Fiji. He carried that shoulder injury for some time until it was reconstructed (along with his ankle in 2013).
Hodgson continued to play 6 for the Western Force whenever Pocock was fit. As we know the combination of Pocock, Hodgson and Brown/McCalman became well known in Super XV circles.
Hodgson has always provided injury coverage for ALL back row positions for the Western Force.