Not playing Lomax is becoming increasingly indefensible. It will cost us a victory (and we are lucky that wasn't last weekend). The problems with the current team balance are:
1. Goal kicking is vital. The competition is closer than ever. We have won 2 matches by 1, and 1 by 2. Almost every other game seems to go to golden point. A team simply cannot be a contender without a top line kicker. Lafai is a 60% kicker. Lomax is a genuine 85%er. If the coaching team want to go deep into the finals Lomax needs to be in the team.
2. Lafai is a confidence player, and an average goal kicker. He has been developing a great combination with JP in attack and defence. It is not in the team's best interest to saddle him with a task he is not that good at. The 3/4s have been our weakness the last couple of years. That side is now solid and I don't like the idea of giving Lafai a job he shouldn't have that will hit confidence.
3. Aitken is playing as an edge backrower with 3 on his back. He runs hard at holes. He's strong 1-on-1. But he's not a centre. He dies with the ball rather than positioning his winger (did it again at the cost of a try yesterday), and is always unsure in defence. This is the obvious spot for Lomax. If the coaching team are pleased with what Aitken does and is good at (edge-running and pound-for-pound strength) then play him as a bench backrower who can cover centres.
There is no reason for Lomax on the bench and not playing him. The longer this goes on, the less tactical and more hapless it looks. The leadership looks like it is being weak, treading water and avoiding the inevitable.