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TOP 14Lyon

Josua Tuisova makes shock positional change for arch-experimenters Lyon

Josua Tuisova has put on 22kg since 2013 /Getty
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After successfully transforming Mathieu Bastareaud into a No8 in recent years, Lyon are hoping to have the same success with powerhouse Josua Tuisova, starting him in the pack against Stade Francais on Friday.

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In the absence of Patrick Sobela, and alongside a spate of long-term injuries in the back row, the winger/ outside centre has been chosen by head coach Pierre Mignoni to wear the No8 jersey.

This may be a position that the 27-year-old may not be completely accustomed to, but he will not look out of place among the forwards. Lyon have listed him at 113kg on their team sheet on social media, only a solitary kg lighter than Loann Goujoun in the No7 shirt and 10kg heavier than Dylan Cretin on the other side of the scrum.

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This is not the Fijian’s first dalliance with the back of the scrum either, as Toulouse will know full well. He briefly switched to No8 midway through a match against the Top 14 leaders in February, exploding from the base of the scrum to set up a try for Toby Arnold.

Tuisova has forged a reputation over the years for being one of the most powerful players in Europe, and there is little doubt he will have the might to go toe-to-toe with the forwards. Whether he can adjust to the positional requirements of being in the pack is yet to be seen, but Bastareaud is living proof that this trial can work.

With two fixtures remaining in the regular Top 14 season, Lyon are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, as are Stade Francais. Lyon currently sit in ninth in the league, two points and two places behind the Parisian outfit. A win of the Stade Jean-Bouin would see them leapfrog Stade Francais and move within touching distance of the top six, so this is a high pressure time to make such a bold positional switch.

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PMcD 17 minutes ago
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You will be glad to know they signed Bhatti to replace Van Wyk and they already have Will Stuart to come back, with Sela & Griffin as understudy players, so I think you will find they continue spending up to the limit and not much has changed at the Rec. It’s all part of the managing the demographics of the salary cap within the squad.

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unknown 33 minutes ago
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SP 44 minutes ago
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Mack Hansen wasn't wrong about the media, the doommongers were writing off Farrell and his squad, when actually IRFU player policy post the Lions meant our best players had no club rugby in their legs at the start of the 6N, and funnily enough got better with every game they played after getting hammered by a French side that were match sharp by contrast…

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Hammer Head 1 hour ago
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TT. 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Agree on Wright, it will be hard to overlook him if he plays at the same level than last year !

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BC1812 1 hour ago
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TT. 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

And who would pick at 15 ? Tom Wright ? Harvey ?

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TT. 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Due to the League’s influence in our opinion ? Too young to recall that sadly…

Aren’t Paisami and Flook leaving Australia this summer ? Crichton could be the solution to a lot of their problems indeed.



...

13 Go to comments
S
SB 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Him and Marky Mark on the wings at the World Cup, aerial kicks galore. Not sure where that leaves Jorgensen though.

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unknown 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

JAS plays at 13 because the Wallabies already have loads of high quality back three players and basically only two other top quality centres (ikitau and Parisian) one of whom is abroad currently and one of whom is heading to Japan (I’ve heard) - so that’s the area of key lack of depth

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NB 3 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Aussie have always had a surfeit of good back three players, more so than centres, even in their best years around 2000-2003… I recall them trying to shoehorn Elton Flatley into 12 for the 2001 Lions series.

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NB 3 hours ago
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Let’s hope so. Hunter Paisami is having a good season at 12 for the Reds, Len Ikitau is top drawer and Josh Flook at a very smart 13, so there is some material to work with there…

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NB 3 hours ago
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They might start him at 14 and then move him to FB once he gets the hang of the backfield pendulum….

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I agree, which is why I find it strange that they only refer to part of her heritage. Her mom is also half Cook islander so why not mention that as well?

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