Horwill's issue in Cheika's eyes seems to be that he wasn't in his top two loose head locks in terms of calling the lineout etc. Simmons and Mumm were picked ahead of him here. He also didn't have the physicality and impact that Cheika wants from his tight head lock. Skelton and Douglas have been picked here.
The problem people have is it's based on Mumm not getting the opportunity to fail running the line out with less options.
Also it's that based on what he did in his one cameo and his whole season in the UK, Douglas doesn't have the impact and physicality Cheika apparently wants from his TH Lock.
Obviously he stats don't measure impact and work off the ball but he seldom carried and for minimal gain.
In the first 2 home tests (Vodacome App doesn't seem to have the non TRC games) Horwill has 12 carries for 24m.
In Douglas' 20 games in Ireland he had 2.4 carries per game for 1.83m per carry. Hardly compelling stuff. He did average around 6.25 tackles per game and missed 0.9 per game. But in a number of games multiple players were making 10+ tackles per game indicating a slower and tighter contest.
He also averaged less than 1 line out take per game.
Is this a good option to partner Simmons when Pocock is our best number 8 option?
Fuck he must he those rucks hard I guess.
Yes Cheika has to live by his results. But this is a once in a 4 year tournament. What about the fans and their hopes which may not be achieved because of poor selection. Just say "Oh well, Cheiks jobs on the line. If you don't like it don't watch"?
