'He's not a full-back'.
As the cries of "He's not a centre" have died down about Keith Earls as he started to look the part when given the chance last August, another Munster back is being directed back to the wing.
Simon Zebo has been featured at full-back for both Munster and Ireland this season, and with Felix Jones retiring, and a lack of full-backs challenging Rob Kearney internationally, could it be a permanent move for Zebo?
He certainly hopes so.
It's probably easier for me to go roaming and looking for the ball at no.15 as opposed to wing. So (for) my preferred position, I am probably leaning towards no. 15 the more I play there.
That's not something that some Irish/Munster fans would like to see:
@IrishRugby don't see point in playing Zebo at FB should have moved Payne or Henshaw to FB & started McCloskey at centre
— Eamonn ☘️ 🐺 (@Eamonn_75) February 5, 2016
Fair result. Looks like the toll was high though.
Zebo at 15 was a big mistake and I don't expect to see him again this 6 nations— Rory O’Mór (Curate's Egg) (@curates_egg) February 7, 2016
Much as I like Zebo on the wing, I just don't see him as a 15. Positional play and kicking not really up to it.
— Tom Joyce (@atomicjoy) February 7, 2016
How zebo makes an Ireland top let alone at 15 is baffling. He's well out of his depth
— Dean (@d34njg) February 7, 2016
I would whip Zebo off for Madigan now. He's not managed the game well from 15 whatsoever. #RBS6Nations #IREvWAL
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) February 7, 2016
But there is merit to playing Zebo at full-back.
The more time I get to play No. 15, whether it is here or Munster, the more comfortable I will be there.
That's a key bit of information. He hasn't got to play there enough to learn the nuances of the positional play needed.
We know Zebo can be devastating in attack with ball in hand from any position, so allowing him the freedom to play from full-back means that he can provide the same bit of spark that Willie le Roux gives South Africa.
Yes there will be periods where defensively he's not as solid as a Rob Kearney - but that comes with experience of playing the position. It's much easier to learn how to be solid, than it is to learn how to have that X factor.
Munster and Ireland fans should be excited about the prospect of more Zebo at full-back - especially because it would signal a move away from the 'conservatism' that those same fans are accusing Ireland and Joe Schmidt of employing.
See Also: Ireland Player Ratings v Wales: Simon Zebo Splits Opinion At Full-Back
See Also: Simon Zebo And Ian Keatley Combine For Superbly Worked Munster Try
Photo Credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
