The problem I have with those examples is that there 4 or 5 years old. No doubt Harrison was very handy back then but he hasn't been playing that link role for the past 2-3 series now. What happens is how I described it.
Harrison is good defensively, I just don't think it's excellent enough to guarantee him a starting spot.
I don't think 2010 or 2011 were how you described it. I think he had a quiet series last year (our entire left side failed to make it's usual impact afaic). But before that he was very important to our left side structure. Running wrap-arounds and decoys with Slater. And as I said, ball playing at the line creating space for GI. I think it'd be a great shame to drop or bench him. Over the course of the last 5 years I think he's been much more consistent than Thaiday.
Parker played what? 8 minutes? As you said that wasn't primarily right fringe either. I don't doubt he could still do the job, I just believe Thaiday can do it better.
I must admit I had my wires crossed earlier tonight. I kept going through the tapes from last year looking to see Parker's sporadic moments on the right. It's actually 2011 that he played a fair bit down the right flank. And he was excellent. Just as impressive as on the left in Game 3 last year. Strong running, offloads and so on.
11.Harrison
12.Parker
13.Myles
is our best setup IMO. It offers second phase and strong defence on both sides of the ruck. Sam is a good runner but he doesn't offer second phase, and he's a lazy defender. That said, I won't be overly disappointed if, as I suspect, he's picked to start. As long as it's not Taylor, I'm pretty happy.