This was published 7 years ago
Bledisloe Cup 2016: Sean McMahon full of confidence as Simon Poidevin asks Lopeti Timani for more
By Tom Decent
Sean McMahon believes he stepped up to the mark as Australia's starting No.8 three weeks ago against South Africa and says the spring tour is at the forefront of his mind.
It comes as former Wallabies back-rower Simon Poidevin questioned the man who replaced him a week later, Lopeti Timani, saying he needed to impose himself more on the game if given another chance.
McMahon, the hard-running Wallabies back-rower, is an outside chance to feature in the Wallabies' match-day 23 against the All Blacks this weekend as he continues his rehabilitation on a syndesmosis injury.
It was a cruel blow for McMahon, who, after regaining the starting No.8 spot he briefly assumed because of an injury to David Pocock, left the field bitterly disappointed in Pretoria.
Confident: Sean McMahon's ball carrying abilities are one of his strengths. Credit: Getty Images
His performance in that 40 minutes, however, in which he made six carries, has given him the confidence that a position somewhat foreign to him could possibly be a long-term move.
"I thought I settled in quite well, kind of stepped up to the mark," McMahon said. "The position I'm working on to try and get better is that eight position. [I'm] just focusing on working at the back of the scrum and trying to find that more running role in that area.
"I haven't had a lot of work in the eight [jersey], especially not back at a Super club or here. I'm getting the knowledge that is needed to learn that position. I'm just trying to keep building here and if Cheik [Wallabies coach Michael Cheika] continues to give me the opportunity in that spot than I'm going to have to take them."
The versatility of McMahon in the back row is an enticing proposition for Cheika who will eventually have to fill the void left by Pocock when he goes on his sabbatical next year.
Another option there is Timani, who looks likely to come off the bench this weekend in Auckland.
The Melbourne Rebels representative, who switched this year between the back row and second-row in Super Rugby, made his Wallabies run-on debut against the Pumas in London earlier this month.
But Poidevin, one of Australia's best back-rowers, wants Timani to use his size to better effect in the mould of All Blacks No.6 Jerome Kaino.
Poidevin did praise the work of McMahon despite saying he did not think there was a clear-cut Wallabies pecking order at No.8.
"Lopeti Timani has certainly a great physique but he's got to start imposing himself more on the game," Poidevin said. "He's got to realise that he's a big fast unit and he can do more damage than he's doing at the moment. Jerome Kaino at age 33 is just non-stop and you've got to be non-stop.
"The good thing is Cheik's set-up is a highly-competitive pool of players there. No one player is at the front of the queue to get in. Sean McMahon ... his place in the side is because of his tenacity, his ability to break tackles, for his work-rate on the field. He's a very skilful warrior."