SIMMONS COMEBACK
GOLD Coast’s Rob Simmons vowed to repay Michael Cheika’s faith as the Wallabies coach explained his desire to build a stable of five strong Test locks was a part of the Queenslander’s shock call-up.
Simmons’ selection in the second row to meet the All Blacks in Dunedin was one of three changes to the side from Sydney, along with Samu Kerevi getting dropped for Tevita Kuridrani at No.13 and Dane Haylett-Petty returning.
The recall of the defensively strong Kuridrani was no shock but Simmons’ promotion at the expense of Rory Arnold raised plenty of eyebrows given the 28-year-old’s poor Super Rugby season.
The Reds dropped Simmons at one point, before informing him they wouldn’t resign him. That came after Cheika also dropped Simmons twice from the Wallabies last year due to his underwhelming form and lack of aggression.
But after throwing a lifeline to the 72-Test lock with a spot in his July training squad, Cheika picked Simmons for the second Test and threw down a challenge for him to dominate the lock position.
“It was more to do with the configuration of the locks together, giving Adam (Coleman) a little bit more option in the lineout,” Cheika said.
“We didn’t get a lot of lineouts last week but we know they’re a very good defensive lineout team. They’ll try and put pressure on us now they’ve seen a game. They’ll try and put a bit more pressure there and Rob’s good in the lineout.
“He’s having a change in his own career now and a new step forward for him and his Super Rugby career and I think it’s time he puts a marker down for his international career.”
The Arnold and Coleman combo has been strong recently
but Cheika said “we need to have more than two locks going at it”. “We need to have four, if not another one on top of that ... close to the same level,” Cheika added.
Simmons admitted “there was a little bit of shock” when Cheika read his name out to start the second Test.
“I’m working hard on all of those things (he asked of me) and then all the new things this whole team’s trying to bring. It’s a work in progress and I don’t think I’ve nailed it totally but I’m still working on it and trying to get better each week,” he said.
Simmons wasn’t willing to confirm his move to NSW but agreed it was a new chapter.
“There’s definitely a lot of change for me and my family, especially the last couple of weeks making that decision,” Simmons said.
Though Kerevi missed 50 per cent of his tackles Cheika said the main reason for the swap was the Brumbies centre being in better shape.