Having seen both Scots & New halves this season, i agree the Lussick is very strong running at the base, however his passing game is poor, for someone in a position designed to be a distributer. I would almost rather him play at 6 so he can do what he is best at, and not have the responsibility to pass.
What Short brings, and it is noticable with Scots game play is a lightning fast pass off both hands, that hits the mark 99 times out of 100, which is what the backs need to pumove forward, and with guys like Jones, Kellaway and the bash brothers, i am fine with a half and 5/8 who are going to feed that sort of strike power, rather then kill it and play in tight.
As an aside, and i assume News coach watched this in the Scots game, as he coaches the Aus Schools. Bashing into the forwards all day with a pick and drive is not going to win a GPS comp let alone an Aus v NZ test. I would bank on the coaches wanting a lightning fast pass from their half, even at the expense of a running game, and a 5/8 who will distribute and set up his outside men, not look to do the flashy stuff himself! That said, Short & Deegan have shown already at NSW level they are a great combo and can seriously unlock those boys outside them. When Lussick ahd his chance, albeit with a different 5/8 (so not comparing squares and squares), the backline didnt flow quite as well.
Short will do just fine i think, lets just hope the coaches want to run the ball and not play pick and smash!!