Mumm’s the word as the Wallabies brace for a lineout assault courtesy of the Irish this weekend.
Mumm, not mum, as in Dean Mumm. He is replacing Lopeti Timani in the backrow on the top side, which is the only non-injury change to the lineup that fared well against Scotland a couple of weeks back.
He is slotted to start at blindside flanker, which will permit David Pocock to revert to partnering number 8 Michael Hooper in the loose forwards.
Chief lineout caller Rob Simmons will retain his spot in place of Adam Coleman, whose injury last weekend in Paris, when the Wallabies defeated France 25 – 23, necessitated his flying home to undergo surgery. Simmons will have big boots to fill in Coleman’s stead, as Coleman’s physical nature would have come in handy against Ireland.
The switch to Mumm from Timani is a strategic move on the part of Coach Michael Cheika. Timani showed well against Scotland, but the Irish strength at lineout due to the Irish locks Donnacha Ryan and Devin Toner.
Cheika was quick to empahsise that Timani might be used for his ball carrying and that the switch was not due to any shortcomings on the part of Timani.
The Wallabies will spend some preparation time getting ready for the Irish tactic of holding ball carriers up off the ground, rather than tackling, in the attempt to force turnovers, something they have done in the past against Australia to much profit.
