Thursday, 2nd August 2007 at 1:30 pm

Juan Smith at number eight?

Probably not a photograph Juan Smith will be getting enlarged and framed for the wall in his lounge; rugby does throw together some unique body positioning, however, and this is one of those instances, even if it does reflect a little too much for Feverpitcher’s liking a strong hint of Australian training methods.

That’s not the only suggestion, however; Smith’s spot at the back of the pack in training is an indication that, with Pierre Spies ruled out of the World Cup, the big Free Stater could be in the reckoning for the job at number eight. Bob Skinstad has more experience at eighthman, and Danie Rossouw has done the job in the Northern Hemisphere before for Jake White; moving Smith to eight, however, would free up a spot for Wickus van Heerden on the flank. Just a thought - but one that White may well be sharing.