Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie has raised doubts as to whether Rocky Elsom is the ideal replacement for Wycliff Palu as Wallabies number eight.
Elsom, the current Wallabies captain and blindside flanker, has been touted as a possible option at the foot of the scrum with Palu being ruled out for the season after rupturing his right anterior cruciate ligament in New South Wales’ encounter against the Crusaders in Christchurch earlier this month.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans may look to again replace Palu with Western Force’s Richard Brown, who started in the position in eight Tests during the past two seasons, while Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles may come under consideration, although he has played just once at the international level since the 2007 World Cup.
Elsom played four Tests at number eight in 2006 and he is regarded as an enticing prospect in the position because of his solid line-out ability and strong running game.
He also played at eight on several occasions for Irish club Leinster during their 2008/09 season in which they won the European Cup.
Former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, who was responsible for poaching Elsom from the Canterbury rugby league club when coaching the Waratahs in 2003, has backed the 49-Test veteran to fill the void left by Palu’s injury absence.
While not singling Elsom out, McKenzie holds reservations about moving flankers and locks to number eight considering the technical responsibilities of the position at scrum time.
“The scrum, while there isn’t as many as there used to be, they’re actually quite important in terms of the momentum of the game,” he said.
“You might only have 10 or 11 scrums on your ball, but crucial scrums near the goal line when under pressure and on attack – they’re critical moments where you’ve got to exert pressure or you’ve got to dissipate the pressure.
“So, the actual raw skills involved there and the guys who have done it before is going to be pretty important.”
McKenzie hinted that Reds number eight Leroy Houston may be the best candidate in light of his impressive form so far this season and his understanding of what is required in the set piece.
“It’s good if your scrum is going forward, it’s not so complicated,” he said.
“If the scrum’s got parity then you can get the ball away, but if your under pressure that’s really when your skills come to the fore.
“Leroy’s an established number eight.”
Back in the groove
The New Zealand-born Houston was once Australian Rugby Union’s problem child, prior to being thrown a career lifeline by then-Reds coach Eddie Jones in 2007.
It was Jones, when Wallabies coach, who plucked Houston out of the Australia under 21 program in 2005 for what was an ill-fated European tour.
Houston, 19 at the time, impressed in the midweek fixtures with his ball-carrying ability and was contracted by the Waratahs for the following season, however family and discipline issues saw him released from his deal.
He ended up playing rugby league in Sydney’s lower-tier Jim Beam Cup prior to Jones’ decision to recruit him, but he did not make his Reds debut until 2008 when Phil Mooney was in charge.
A trimmer Houston, whose first two seasons in Brisbane were marred by injury and form issues, started this year in the Reds’ second XV before forcing his way into the starting line-up.
McKenzie says he deserves his chance.
“I think he is just starting to find form, I think every week his games have been better,” he said.
“I thought his ball carries last week [against the Bulls] were the best of the season … he’s giving us some high skill in pressure areas, plus his improved fitness from last year has been an added benefit, so he’s a good barometer about where the team’s at.”
Meanwhile, McKenzie has been forced to make one change to his starting XV ahead of Friday night’s clash with the third-placed Stormers at Lang Park.
Lock Van Humphries, who played a pivotal role in the Reds’ 19-12 win over the Bulls at home last Saturday night, was ruled out earlier in the week with an ankle injury and his place has been taken by Adam Byrnes.
The Reds are fourth on the ladder with 30 points, just one ahead of arch rival the Waratahs.
