B
Bobby Sands
Guest
Interesting that the Reds have picked Josh Nasser as reserve hooker. I hope it goes well for him. He has been reasonably good around the paddock but his scrumaging has been second rate. He could barely hold up a scrum in club rugby let alone in Super Rugby so the move from tight head to hooker could be a stroke of genius.
The other interesting selection is Flook at 13 instead of Petaia. Are they trying to shield Petaia by playing him on the wing? I thought his position was 13, so it is a bit perplexing that they would keep him on the wing when Hunter was ruled out. Is this a mistake or another stroke of genius?
Nasser move makes sense to me, hope it goes well. Good around the paddock, can't scrummage, can throw a lineout. Sounds like a hooker.
Flook at 13 also makes sense to me tbh.
Flook doesn't seem to have any obvious "weapons" but is just a very handy footballer, maybe like a Conrad Smith type.
Petaia has all the weapons in that he is fast, big, skilful etc.
Flook is also a very good defender (not that Jordan isn't) and will do well in closer, due to lack of dynamism he will never be a great top flight winger.
Jordy could be the best 13 in the world, but he could also be the best 11,14 and who knows maybe 15.
I tend to think they also want him avoiding needless traffic as he gets his body right.
Smart selections to me.