He was outstanding for Souths in the tail end of the QPR at 13. Of course he was going to be 13 for Country.
Blogs, you're clearly a Gordon advocate so I am wary. I think he's a solid player with some ability. I do maintain that CM offered more at 12 in this match than Gordon has so far. Should be part of the 23 though, but perhaps he is seen as solely a 12. Do you think that's fair?
To be honest I don't even think Gordon is a good option if they were to put F'Sautia at 13. I just think there has been no balance in that backline for most part of the year except for that Stars game before JJT went down injured.
First and foremost we know F'Sautia is a great ball runner, you take away from his strength by virtually putting the same player next to him. Think about the ball playing in a backline that consists of;
10. Greene
11. Parese
12. Magnay/Gordon
13. F'Sautia
14. Pincus
It's the same problem the Reds had this season when they played FTA/Kerevi combo with O'Connor (runner) Turner (runner) and F'Sautia on the wings. You virtually become a one pass attacking team. Ben Tapuai was that link that never got the opportunity to showcase that. IMO a backline of;
9. Tuttle
10. Greene
11. Parese
12. Paia'aua
13. Magnay
14. F'Sautia
15. Banks
Brings much more of a balance to the backline. You can put either at 13 I've gone with Magnay for the fact that F'Sautia is a proven finisher and it is his preferred position.
I refer back to the start of the game last week vs Stars. Two line breaks in the opening 10 minutes before injury to JJT caused a reshuffle. However glimpses showed that with a balanced backline with Paia'aua being the key if chosen at 12. Takes pressure of Greene as well as gives options for the men wider of the play.