TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
State preciousness prevails - but only in jest this time.
I'm for Moore to start based on the grinding down theory, but it may be academic because TPN will be short of a gallop anyway. Like many props who are yanked before oranges, I would rest Moore at 30 minutes and give TPN two bites of the cherry. Then at the 60 minute mark I would make a decision when to pull him off for Moore to have another go. TPN can't be substituted for tactical reasons so he has to be categorised as a permanent injury replacement- so a nice bit of cramp should be suffered by TPN.
The problem would be if Moore then gets injured, TPN, who has been permanently replaced, couldn't come back on, even for a blood bin. That would mean uncontested scrums which is a bummer, but it would mean also that a non-hooker would have to throw to the lineout.
Are there any referees around who can say if what I have written is right or wrong - I'm not sure. Please quote the law when doing so.
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Sorry, but I hope we never go down the track of trying to exploit the front rower substitution rule like this. The rule is there to ensure we have the best chance to have live scrums all game. Different if there is a genuine injury but Lee, your comment seems to imply that we base our strategy around TPN not going the distance and getting a free 'interchange'.
I see that as being not far remove from sending guys out with blood satchels to fake a blood injury.
I don't mind who starts. IMO who is best is splitting hairs. But I do think it is wrong to say TPNs impact wouldn't be as effective at the start of a game. I remember watching him start a test (SA in 2009 I think) where he knocked up belting people in the first half. I just hope the are both available because I think there is a clear gap between them and Fainga'a (unfortunately).