DIEHARD
26-03-06, 03:34 AM
PAUL KENT
Australian selectors are set to drop a bombshell by shifting Test captain Darren Lockyer (pictured) to fullback for next month's Trans Tasman Test against New Zealand.
Anthony Minichiello will be switched to the wing and either Trent Barrett or Braith Anasta will fill the vacant five-eighth spot.
Selectors are keen to remove Lockyer from the front line of defence, where his performances have been criticised in the past.
The shock move comes a week after Broncos coach Wayne Bennett softened his "never again" stance on Lockyer returning to fullback by saying he would not be afraid to shift his chief playmaker back to the No. 1 jersey.
It is widely known that many NRL teams target Lockyer in the defensive line for the dual reasons that, firstly, a heavy defensive workload blunts his attacking prowess and, secondly, he rates highly in missed and ineffective tackles.
By playing either Barrett or Anasta in the No. 6 jersey, selectors believe Australia will have a solid defender in the front line while keeping Lockyer fresh for attack.
Australia's chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said there was still five weeks before the team plays, meaning anything is likely but confirmed his early support for the positional switch.
"We don't want (Lockyer) having to do a hundred tackles," McCarthy said.
"Because of his great attacking prowess you don't want to see him ladled with doing 40-odd tackles a game.
"They have those big boppers in the back row and they'll be running at him the whole game."
Australian coach Ricky Stuart was last night guarded about the switch, preferring to wait until he hears what team selectors give him before commenting too heavily.
"I think Darren Lockyer's best position is fullback but unfortunately we have got the world's best player there at the moment," Stuart said.
"In saying that, it is not my position to pick the team, it's the selectors', and I will coach whatever team they give me.
"I have the ear of the selectors and the team that we pick will be the best team for Australia."
Stuart has a tight relationship with selectors, but he also acknowledged that, ultimately, the final selection remains with them.
Test selector Bob Fulton, a former Test five-eighth, said on radio yesterday that he believed Lockyer should be moved to fullback at club level.
"He is having to accommodate 40 to 50 ball carriers a game where as in the past (at fullback) he made four or five tackles and was able to come into the line and be active in that area," Fulton said.
Fulton said when Lockyer was moved into the front line he had better players around him at the Broncos.
"(Now) his job at No. 6 is being made a lot harder because only Shane Webcke is a firing up front," he said.
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/
Australian selectors are set to drop a bombshell by shifting Test captain Darren Lockyer (pictured) to fullback for next month's Trans Tasman Test against New Zealand.
Anthony Minichiello will be switched to the wing and either Trent Barrett or Braith Anasta will fill the vacant five-eighth spot.
Selectors are keen to remove Lockyer from the front line of defence, where his performances have been criticised in the past.
The shock move comes a week after Broncos coach Wayne Bennett softened his "never again" stance on Lockyer returning to fullback by saying he would not be afraid to shift his chief playmaker back to the No. 1 jersey.
It is widely known that many NRL teams target Lockyer in the defensive line for the dual reasons that, firstly, a heavy defensive workload blunts his attacking prowess and, secondly, he rates highly in missed and ineffective tackles.
By playing either Barrett or Anasta in the No. 6 jersey, selectors believe Australia will have a solid defender in the front line while keeping Lockyer fresh for attack.
Australia's chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said there was still five weeks before the team plays, meaning anything is likely but confirmed his early support for the positional switch.
"We don't want (Lockyer) having to do a hundred tackles," McCarthy said.
"Because of his great attacking prowess you don't want to see him ladled with doing 40-odd tackles a game.
"They have those big boppers in the back row and they'll be running at him the whole game."
Australian coach Ricky Stuart was last night guarded about the switch, preferring to wait until he hears what team selectors give him before commenting too heavily.
"I think Darren Lockyer's best position is fullback but unfortunately we have got the world's best player there at the moment," Stuart said.
"In saying that, it is not my position to pick the team, it's the selectors', and I will coach whatever team they give me.
"I have the ear of the selectors and the team that we pick will be the best team for Australia."
Stuart has a tight relationship with selectors, but he also acknowledged that, ultimately, the final selection remains with them.
Test selector Bob Fulton, a former Test five-eighth, said on radio yesterday that he believed Lockyer should be moved to fullback at club level.
"He is having to accommodate 40 to 50 ball carriers a game where as in the past (at fullback) he made four or five tackles and was able to come into the line and be active in that area," Fulton said.
Fulton said when Lockyer was moved into the front line he had better players around him at the Broncos.
"(Now) his job at No. 6 is being made a lot harder because only Shane Webcke is a firing up front," he said.
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/