While I do agree and have been advocating for that, the question posed to me tonight was ... who plays lock in 2023 when Foz is gone and Schuster is the 5/8?? Does that mean a move back there for Jake? Or does someone else fill the role??
Just thinking out loud here, if we happen to have Fainu back, maybe Froggy to lock?
Either way though, lets face it ... Des will not move Jake from lock unless absolutely necessary.
When he is available I would go with Lawton and see if you can 80 out of him or close to it,at the moment it would probably be Davey.(It would require some changes to the interchange usage and we are so heavy at prop I have doubts Des would go for it)
I was sceptical about Jake at prop and his go forward,but I have been converted,his natural strength maintains his position early on and when the defense tires he starts to push through and gain more metres after contact.
Next year for mine....
Aloiai
Croker
Jake
Olakau'atu
Tuilagi
Lawton
-----------
Fainu(hopefully)
Ben T
Paseka
Bullemor
It would require spelling Tuilagi and Croker around the 50min with Ben T and Fainu and subbing in Bullemor for Jake for a short stint just before and after half time and maybe subbing Bullemor or Croker back in late for Lawton.
You would have Roumanos and Zac Fulton as back ups to Lawton to do the role if unavailable.