Surely it has to be
4. Horwill or Carter
19. Skelton
The only contentious decision is Horwill v Carter and I think there isn't a clear winner either way. Both call and jump in lineouts competently but not as good as Simmo (though Horwill has the recent experience dealing with the Saracens boys Kruis and Itoje in that space). Horwill possibly has been recognised as stronger scrummager but Carter is very used to packing with Arnold, Moore and Sio in a strong Brums scrum this season. Both can be relied on to tackle their hearts out. Both carry OK but not great (Carter's poor hands and Horwill's lack of speed are issues).
I think it would make good sense for us to have a bruiser on the bench, my preference would be to use Skelton in this role rather than Palu.....
There's more to being an 8 than that.OK I've got my head around it now.
The starting front row had to happen, not sure that Sio needed to be dropped completely though, is he injured maybe?
Carter and Arnold work together, plus as slim points out the entire lineout thrower and jumpers are all Brumbies (excluding up the back).
McMahon's selection confirms that the 'dual 7s' concept is a new footprint of Aussie rugby that is here to stay for a while. For those concerned about his lack of experience at 8, the only real skill that differs from that of a flanker (in the scrum) is controlling the ball at the back of a scrum if you're going for a pushover..I can't really see that happening! It's a slightly different defensive read too but he'll be fine there.
Not 'we mightn't', 'it will be hard', but 'we won't'! You're a cheery little sole SullyWe won't win with that back row.
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There's more to being an 8 than that.
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No point even showing up thenWe won't win with that back row.
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How is that motivational speaking tour going, Sully?We won't win with that back row.
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Far out I am Gee'd up to see what unleashing McMahon can do to the poms. You'd hope Hooper will be told to be more involved with the rucks either through pilfering or just slowing it down while Sean takes more of the running role?