Caveman in 'wrong' position
By Jim Morton
July 03, 2008

AUSTRALIA believe France have let them off the hook for Saturday's second Test at Suncorp Stadium by keeping Sebastien Chabal in the second row.

Wallabies assistant coach Jim Williams was surprised to find the France cult hero had not been shifted to his favourite No.8 position.

Les Bleus coach Marc Lievremont has made wholesale changes to the team beaten 34-13 at ANZ Stadium but kept Chabal at lock even though he altered his back row.

Williams, who played against England-based Chabal in Europe when the former Wallabies flanker ended his career with Irish powerhouse Munster, felt the long-haired Sale star was wasted in the second row.

Chabal himself has made it known No.8 is his preferred position, saying lock saps the energy he likes to display as a ferocious ball-runner and defender.

"That is a little bit surprising because that's where (Chabal) makes most impact," Williams said of Lievremont's selection.

"He's a little bit looser and he gets around the park more and has lot more impact, especially with the ball-running.

"He's a back-rower by heart. He's a lazy scrummager to tell you the truth from first-hand experience."

Chabal, nicknamed 'Caveman' in England, was typically in the thick of the action at ANZ Stadium but was burnt in defence by Matt Giteau for Australia's opening try.

The Wallabies pack did win the honours in the opening Test after the French made it known they would target Australia's forwards.

Williams, who has started as forwards coach this year under Robbie Deans, said England's 12-10 World Cup quarter-final upset in Marseille ensured rival nations would attack the Wallabies up front.

England dismantled Australia's scrum and counter-rucked with huge success at the breakdown but the new coaching regime has not addressed the boilover specifically in team meetings.

"That's one thing that we're trying to work hard on to make sure that it's not an issue but it's always going to be an issue because rival teams will target that area," Williams said.

"We have to make sure we do the simple things well."

Caveman in 'wrong' position - Rugby - Fox Sports