The selection of Simmons on the side of the scrum in combination with locks Sitaleki Timani and James Horwill strengthens the Qantas Wallabies set-piece while also providing a physical edge against an abrasive Italian forward pack.
I get it but only if they turn up for 80 mins Simmons is not exactly an enforcer so I am not sure how he helps against an abrasive forward pack.
Qantas Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said the inclusion of Simmons and the changes on the bench were tactical adjustments made to suit the style of game they are preparing to play on Saturday night. (Sunday morning 1am AEDT). UH OH zzzzzzzzzzzzz Simmons is a lineout specialist so presumably lots of lineouts, which means lots of tactical kicking which means lots of shithouse kicking.
“Most of the Italian’s strength is derived through their forwards and that’s where they will look to take us on, especially at set-piece. We have to take them on up front,” McKenzie said.
No you hold them up front and take them on out wide..you play your game Given our poor performance in the scrum and breakdown, I am not sure how persisting with the players who failed in these duties against England and adding another lineout jumper will help us 'take them on up front'.
“Having Simmo return will benefit us in that regard. He’s instrumental in us winning our own ball while we’ll be looking for him to put pressure on their lineout, and their scrum. ok fair Presumably he means winning our ball at the breakdown as he separates winning the ball from the lineout and scrum. Simmons, as much as he has been improving, isn't going to add that much to the breakdown. The comment would have made more sense if starting Gill.
“Aside from that, he is one of our most athletic and powerful forwards. He has trained very well at blindside flanker and it will be interesting to see how he goes with a bit more space. EOY EXPERIMENT YAY THATS WHAT THE TOUR'S FOR Yay, experiment with moving existing players out of position rather than experiment with the fringe players (Gill, Dennis, Phipps, Foley etc) or reserves (Robinson, Fainga'a) who have not secured a starting spot on the tour. Double yay!
“However, no matter what position he is in, he’ll continue to bring his abrasive style. Currently, he sits in the top two for us in terms of the volume of tackles and also his tackle completions.
“We’ve also made changes to our bench to allow a few players an opportunity there. EOY EXPERIMENT YAY THATS WHAT THE TOUR'S FOR Barely any changes of note and none really to the starters.