Because he can make 50 tackles and stay on for 80 mins, HIAs notwithstanding.
If we want to retain comp-leading defence which means multiple men into every tackle, good line speed and scramble for 80 mins, you need long-minutes backrowers who van mop up all game.
That's why we started Rd1 with Taylor, Rowdy and Rochow, because then you can fairly rotate the props.
Look at last night - ET off, Rowdy missing and Sue in for Packer… and what do you know, we lost the ruck, couldnt stop the Newcastle go-forwards, let in late tries, got sucked to the middle and exposed on the edges.
People who only look at metres gained or hard runs are missing half the game.
Don't need ET to ball-play, got plenty of players to distribute. Don't need stinging defence, that only contributes a handful of tackles each game. Need cover defence, smart wrestle, ball-wrapping and commitment to tackles.
Look at Napa - best prop in the comp for big hits but generally average in regular D, and mediocre in all aspects of the attack.
Good post.
