Former England and Australia boss Eddie Jones loves new trends in the game. With the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup, he picked blindside flanker Josh Kemeny as a ‘utility player’ to cover both the back-row and the centres and wings in an emergency, perhaps in fond memory of the old Queensland wing/number eight Radike Samo.
Jones’ experiments were fine-tuned to the occurrence of World Cups. At the tournament in 2015, he had moved number Japan eight Hendrik Tui to the wing in a warm-up fixture versus Georgia to ‘play him as an extra runner off nine’. In his next incarnation as England head coach, he suggested at the beginning of 2019 Exeter wing Jack Nowell had the potential to become a top-shelf number seven.
In the 2022 Six Nations game against Ireland, England second row Charlie Ewels was sent off in only the second minute, and Jones got his wish, with Courtney Lawes shifting into Ewels’ spot and Nowell promoted to the flank.
The expansion of skill-sets in certain positions has been both noteworthy and ongoing. In my recent interview with new Wallaby assistant coach Geoff Parling, the ex-Leicester, England and Lions lock name-checked a new breed of hooker north of the equator: Dan Sheehan, Theo Dan and Curtis Langdon. While New Zealand has produced a succession of rakes who can play as an extra back in the wide channels on attack, such as Dane Coles and Codie Taylor, the combination of size, athleticism and footwork embodied by Sheehan is a new development again.

Parling went on to pinpoint the importance of a combination of passing skills and decision-making by number sevens at the lineout:
“You look at the quality of [Leinster seven] Josh Van der Flier’s pass from the dummy maul, the width they get off it is unreal. But in general, the quality of passing from the base by open-side flankers in Super Rugby is better.
“You cannot overstate the importance of a good ‘ripper’ [number seven] punching the ball straight through the maul, or passing away from it to hit the nine out wide.
“The slickness of the decision-making there is key. There is also more attacking focus on the extreme edges of the lineout – over the top and straight into midfield, or drop throws down the 5m corridor at the front – because of a greater congestion in the backline.”
One of the most unexpected advantages Ireland enjoyed during their historic 2022 series win in New Zealand was the amount of production they got out of the number seven position. While Sam Cane and Van der Flier sat on roughly equal terms in the traditional openside roles of tackles, breakdown pilfers and first-man ruck attendances, the Irishman carried the ball on twice as many occasions as the Kiwi skipper and delivered a slicker passing service as the ‘+1’ insert, or receiver from lineout.
Cane has announced his retirement from international rugby at the end of the current season, but as former All Black Israel Dagg suggested on SENZ Radio, there is an accompanying feeling the decision may not have been entirely voluntary.
New head coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson is looking for both a new skipper, and a wider range of skills from the blue riband position in the All Blacks.
“I get a sense there was a shoulder tap from ‘the one and only’ [Robertson], saying: ‘G’day son, I think the writing is on the wall in terms of where you are seen in New Zealand rugby. Scott Barrett is going to take over the captaincy’. I think this was forced to be completely honest.”
The heir to the throne may well turn out to be Blues skipper Dalton Papali’i, who arguably could have offered a crucial upgrade even earlier, at the 2023 World Cup itself.
The current yardstick for a multi-skilled number seven in Super Rugby Pacific is probably Reds openside Fraser McReight. Here are the raw stats, quantified by averages per game, in a comparison between McReight and three Kiwi ‘likely lads’ [Papali’i, Hurricane Peter Lakai and Crusader Ethan Blackadder] looking to compete for Cane’s spot.

It looks as if Papali’i is asked to play a tighter role than the others at his club, with more ruck attendance and fewer carries; but as the brightly flickering spark of his international career has also already demonstrated, those carries are more likely be dynamic and powerful tackle-breakers. The Blues man shares that ability with Lakai, and all three New Zealanders can be useful auxiliary lineout targets.
McReight comes into his own as a pilferer at breakdown, a support runner on attack, and as a decision-maker from that key role as receiver from lineout – one ability which does not show up on the stats. Number sevens are effectively playing as a scrum-half in that position, and they require a nine’s passing skills or the power of a tight forward, depending on the choice of play.
In their double-header against Parling’s Rebels, the Reds scored seven tries from lineout and accrued no fewer than eight other penalties. That outstanding return came mostly from lineouts when McReight was stationed as the acting nine.
The position is full of decision-making: whether to drive straight on the ‘rip’ by McReight, or the slower poison of a transfer to hooker Matt Faessler.
The screenshot shows the basic formation, with McReight [red and white hat] set as acting scrum-half behind the line of forwards. But the first decision is subtle and linked to the speed at which the drive develops. In the first instance, the ball is transferred all the way back to Faessler and the maul is slower; in the second the pace is faster, with Fraser keeping hold of the pill all the way through to the goal-line and ‘the Fez’ a happy cheerleader.
When the plan is to break away from the base, the seven needs to decide whether he will become a runner or a passer.
In both cases the aim is to test the first defender around the end of the lineout [Rebels hooker Jordan Uelese] by running at a gap on his shoulder – on a keep-and-run by McReight, or with a pass to the flanker’s great brother-in-arms Harry Wilson.
At the same time, the seven needs to be able to multitask, supporting throws over the top, or playing as an extra centre in midfield when he is not impersonating the scrum-half.
In both clips, the Queensland number seven is playing the more traditional role of the first cleanout support on an initial carry from lineout, and in the second example it set the scene for a terrific long-range try by Jock Campbell.
Who is the first man up in support of Campbell? That’s right, it’s the ubiquitous man in the red and white cap wearing another of his metaphorical hats, and never very far from the ball.
If Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies are to compete with the mighty All Blacks this year, the contest at number seven will be a true-blue litmus test. Both sides are likely to be moving on from the previous generation, and the war between Michael Hooper and Sam Cane. Chances are, the green and gold troops will close the symbolic gap, whoever Razor picks.
If McReight succeeds, it will be because he is able to play as an eighth back and in his core role as a forward with equal facility, not least from lineout. Jones may not have gotten too much right in his second coming as Wallaby coach, but his notion of overlapping roles between backs and forwards in the game rang true. As McReight goes, so will Schmidt’s career as coach of Australia.
Thanks Nick, just wanted to say I’ve really appreciated your analysis over the years, it’s given me hope and brought me back to earth a number of times.
Bit of an aside, but still relevant, to your article. I think fellow WB fans are getting a bit too hung up on what JS did with Ireland; “bigger bodied” 7, who is the nearest Sexton clone in Aus? Why would he pick Tom Wright at 15 if he picked Rob Kearney? I think he’ll select and design a game plan based on the Aus players’ strengths and weaknesses rather than trying to turn us into a budget Ireland.
Joe actually had a much narrower range of talented backs to pick from when he was Ireland coach, than Faz does now. And the way he designed a plan for them was not the same as the one he had in mind for the ABs when he effectively took over before the 2023 RWC.
So I think he’ll find a hybrid version which suits Aussie, while sticking to his basic principles around keeping the ball at BD, and winning the aerial battle!
Nick, I think your article brings up a couple of issues. Do we stick with a lighter 7 ie M.Hooper V2 or a bigger 7. If Schmidt goes with McRight then I would suggest he should also make him captain, from my observations he does most of the captains job, apart from talking to the ref and he was an outstanding captain in U20’s.
The big problem for the Wallabies is the tight 5 and McRight would fit perfectly IF we had a competitive and mobile tight 5.
The other point is who are the6 & 8? If he goes with Cale at 8 and Valitini at 6 then that is a very mobile backrow but how good will they be at the breakdown. If he keeps BobbyV at 8 and say Leota at 6 then he might be looking for a stronger pack and McRight may not fit in.
It is always a tricky call for smaller forwards with great skills.
Yep he was captain of the u20s and a good one from what was visible.
I very much doubt Schmidt will start with Charlie Cale, he’ll work him in gradually - he’s still very raw atm.
So I would not be surprised if we see a bigger lineout six alongside Bobby V - maybe Uru or Frost - and esp if Skelton is at 4. Liam Wright will also be in the debate too.
But I would not overstate the lighter 7 theme - Fraser is a lot bigger than he was last year!
I would say NB that the 7 who has the skills to play as an extra half is Billy Harmon of the Highlanders. He does everything expected of an openside with ruck, tackle and run but he has a good pass. Robertson might of opted for Christie at the Crusaders moving Harmon on but that allowed him to break out of the Crusaders system and show his full range of skills.
I think Harmon is at the back of the queue behind the likes of Papalii, Lakai, Jacobson and Blackadder, all of which have a size or athletic advantage over Harmon. A good solid Super player but I’ve never seen him as a frontline AB.
I understand Harmon is a good provincial player but is he really a live part of the 7 debate for the ABs at almost 30 yrs old, OM?
Also check out the pass from Sean Withy to Tavatavanawai for the highlanders sole try last Saturday.
Nice piece nick, mcreight is immense. Just like hooper, he seems to be indefatigable and sprint the full 80 from one involvement to the next. Like DuPont, its like they can see an extra phase ahead which means they know where to be before everyone else. His support and link play for mine is his real point of difference, and now he is lifting the other areas up as well. One key improvement is when to jackal or not, he used to go for everything and get pinged or stuck in the ruck. His decision making in this area has really improved. He seems to be quite competitive, and like faz not afraid to chew out a teammate. If he went down, both the reds and wallabies would be in trouble. I’d lean towards Wright or Wilkin/Gamble I think, I don’t think many of the other candidates have the work rate or ruck presence that is needed of a 7. Interestingly, the reds lineout fell apart on the weekend without faessler, although the maul still functioned. The heat seemed to affect their decision making, I think they needed to adjust to a low possession, simple game plan but they went head strong with a high possession game even though they couldn’t hold onto it, secure their ruck or their set piece…
Yes FMR has gotten steadily better Nick. A little more physical, better decision-making at the BD, and when you add that to what was already there he is in a class of his own as a 7 in Oz rugby!
There is no natural replacement though one of Wilkin, Tizzano or Gamble would be closest. I reckon they would go big at 7 instead and pick someting like Bobby V, Liam Wright and maybe Tom Hooper [or similar].
Good article, NB. I’ve quite liked the speed and skill levels of Tom Ahern from Munster. I read he was a fullback until late in schools rugby and suddenly shot up to 6 foot 9. Another guy born in 2000 who seems to be able to play out in trams on both sides of the ball is Juan Martin Gonzalez of Saracens. Thanks for the article.
Ahern has surprised a few by his ability to play #6 as well as in the row, and with POM at the end of his career he could well move past Ryan Baird on the flank because of his lineout height, esp with Tadhg Beirne coming towards the end too…
Tom Ahern really stepped up on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa in 2022. I’m pretty sure the school he attended in Waterford , St Augustine’s, does not play rugby. Thus he would have been developed by the clubs.
Harry, another lad to look at in Munster is Brian Gleeson, 20 year old No 8. I have not seen him play much, but he is being highly rated as a future…not to distant…Ireland prospect. Coached by Dennis Leamy as a junior at the great Tipp. rugby stronghold, Rockwell.
The extra weight that Fraser put on over the off season is really showing. The word is 7/8 kgs heavier than last year. Feel he is now carrying into contact a lot more powerfully, which makes him a bigger threat playing in the sh position at lineout time. I do feel however that he is still too easily moved off the ball at the breakdown unless he is in really early. Comparing him to the top current guys such as Tommy Refell, and past supremos like Pocock and McCaw, I would hope he will develop more in that area.
The rest of his game is way out front. His speed around the field as a support player is top notch, and his defence is very sound, apart from the front on tackle on the bigger men sometimes. I also would see him as a future WB captain. He does a lot of quiet encouraging, and for sure can lead from the front.
Of the other three NZ lads on the stats. table, would think it may be Papalli’i who gets in. I do like Lakai. Is Blackadder not more a 6/8 player ? Actually really rated Lachlan Boshier, but he was not ever getting anywhere, so now in Japan. Would love to have seen how he went in a AB jersey.
Excellent article, Nick…….most thought provoking
I don’t think Blackadder has the size, power or the ball-carrying dynamism to play 6 or 8 at Test level, 7 is a better fit for him. To be honest, it’s hard to see him cementing a spot with his ongoing injury problems. Too many options with more durable players.
Yes that extra ballast is really showing through, not least in that second-man drive from lineout. He is close to the ideal for a genuine out-and-out 7 now. Yes you can quote guys like Reffell as a better pure BD operator and you would be right, but McReight’s all-round game is superior.
The problem for WB remains what it was before under DR and EJ. They don’t have great firepower at deensive BDs across the field and focus too much on the 7 as the main pilferer.
NZ interesting - DP must be out in front [see next article!] but Lakai young and vg and I think they’ll see Blackadder as a forward they want somewhere in the B/R, but mostly as a 7.
I think Fraser has improved come ruck time Miz. No, he isn’t exactly limpet like in Pocock’s mould but he has improved two aspects of his jackaling in my opinion. 1) his timing/decision making - early on he went at every ruck which meant he gave away alot of penalties and got tied up too much in the mess. He now picks his moments much better having more positive impact, and less penalties. 2) his speed and accuracy at getting hands on the ball - no, he isn’t as sticky as pocock but he doesn’t need to be. Most of the time he has gotten hands on, picked it up and gotten out of the ruck or passed it before anyone else knows what has happened. With the way the game is reffed and played now, I think the days of just latching onto the ball carrier and hanging on for dear life is over. So, although mcreight isn’t as steadfast over the ball, I don’t think he needs to be because a) the game has changed, and b) he has already pinched the ball and run off with it. One thing I think he could improve on and I’ll let the ‘real’ nick correct me, but is his rucking in general. Hooper I think was better at counter rucking and in general making a mess of opposition rucks even if not stealing the ball. With fraser it seems to be he steals it or nothing… This could just be a symptom of the reds defensive system though which seems to like numbers in the D line.
Ahh too many OK 7’s out there at the moment, would have loved to have Harmon (and Boshier from Panasonic) included on that list (although I don’t know what I’m looking at with those stats!).
I would love to see another 7 come through like Cane (who VdF has molded off), who was a real attacking machine before his neck injury and inability to turn his head/upper body to pass or catch properly forced his style to change. No sure McReight is it, he looks more like a canny McCaw than the blasters Hooper and Cane were.
The real issue is what use can Schmidt mold out of his ability and skills in just two short seasons. I think Cale could do a lot of the more skillful stuff. McReight is probably best to knuckle down and do the core duties a modern day Cane performs for the other two loosies (if he’s the best Schmidt has to play with at 7).
I don’t see Billy Harmon rising to the ABs now Jon. The whole point about JVDF is how different to Sam Cane he is, more similar to the kind of player Richie McCaw would be now if he was still playing!
Michael Hooper will be chuffed to know he was a ‘blaster’ too, I guess you’ll be having a chat with ‘John’ about that….😁
Hard to look past DP for the NZ #7, and I think he should have been starting at the RWC anyway…
Thanks Nick. I’m looking at the other 7 options in Australia and they don’t seem to be close behind Fraser at the moment? Even before reading this I thought he was well ahead.
A random one - Slipper and Allalatoa seem to be getting well beaten in the scrum. I can’t remember this happening often before. Is it a technique/teamwork issue or are their bodies finally past it?
Second Q first…. I think AAA may still be taking it slowly getting back to full power after such a long inury. Slips may just be getting old, he is 35 next month and has been playing at the top for 15 years now. I suspect that Folau Faingaa was a better scrummager than any of the rakes they have now too. We’ll know more in the playoffs
Fraser is well ahead of any other 7 in Aussie right now, and they’d have to make some adjustments if he isn’t available.
I’m not Nick the author, so my insight might be wrong, but just from watching closely the last few weeks, I think a lot of that had to do with the hooker in between them. McInerney wasn’t as effective in the scrum.
Trouble with Jones is he has so many impractical innovations. Kemeney wasn't good enough in any position for top level test rugby.
I like how Vern has Papalii playing. He's always had the workrate when in form, although I'm not sure that he quite has Cane's mongrel.
Yes Kemeny was a big stretch as a back, nowhere near Samo as an athlete and Pete Samu would have had better skills covering that role.