The point is the 13 should generally be defending on the side that is short on numbers, it takes a good footy IQ to always be that aware, especially when fatigued.I think relying on one player for that defensive direction is a bit out dated in today’s game. There’s a reason the lock makes the most tackles in a side and it’s not because he is going sideline to sideline, he is generally there in the middle with either the left side prop or right side prop making the first contact.
The 13 is a specialist role, but with us it’s a revolving door.