Kiwias wrote: Sat Nov 28, 2020 2:04 am
Dan54 wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:47 pm
You obviously don't remember one Stack Stevens from Wellington being picked for whole tour as a 10 when he played 9 for Wellington, I seem to recall one game in France where there were 3 halfbacks on field with Sid Going at 15 , though it was just a mid week game. We also had one BJ Lochore playing a test against Lions at lock, he was never anything but an 8, he had actually retired if memory serves me correctly, and got bought back in to play lock as they wanted his leadership , and someone was conveniently injured. But players like Mike Gibson, probably one of best 13s I seen play was a 10 who went to 13 for Lions and I think actually ended up playing 10,12 and 13 for Ireland, though I am happy to be corrected, but I can't be arsed looking for info.
Ian McCrae even in the 60s was a centre who got moved to 12 (2nd 5/8) to fit in with Bill Davis etc. I sure there were quite a few , it wasn't really that unusual. Hell Grizz Wylie and Alan Sutherland were 8s who played on flank when needed and to fit them in teams, Gary sear played lock or 8. I not saying it good or bad, just nothing new.
McRae and Davis played at 12 and 13 for HB, IIRC, so playing them in those positions in the ABs was not issue. Wylie played at flank for Canterbury quite often when Ian Penrose, the captain, was at 8. Mike Gibson was world-class at each position so it is unfair to claim he was shoe-horned into an unfamilar position to strengthen the team.
Mate Gibson was moved to fit in players, but regardless you right he then became world class in other positions. And you also right Wylie played flank as well as 8 for Canterbury and ABs, so others could play 8, remember the stink when Leslie had was named as AB 8 and captain in 74 ahead of him. But regardless it always happened they move players around to either fit them in somewhere, let them learn to play in an easier position (ie no of players who were centres that started on wing , not good enough to play in right position etc), mate it has been happening in rugby for years in all teams around world, let's not pretend it's new.