Cliffy, Higgers in No.8 showdown

Waratahs player Wycliff Palu for profile. Photo Jeremy Piper Source: Jeremy Piper / News Corp Australia

IF the theory holds water, Ewen McKenzie won't miss the moment Wycliff Palu — or Scott Higginbotham, for that matter — grabs the Wallabies no. 8 jersey on Friday night.

The star backrowers will go head to head in Melbourne when the Rebels host the Waratahs, and 32 hours after both are likely named in tomorrow's Wallaby squad, Palu and Higginbotham will also be duelling for the Test no. 8 role.

As far as Palu is concerned, victory — and the important job at the back of the Wallaby scrum — won't be claimed with a busy but anonymous performance.

The Waratahs wrecking ball believes no. 8s are "go-to men in the pack" and when the going gets tough, it's their job to step into the phone booth and slip on a cape.

"When it is a tight game, you have got to be a play maker. That's how I see it No. 8s. You have got to make a big play. That's how I try and get into the team," Palu said.

"When I talk about playmaking qualities, it's not like "Nard" (Bernard Foley) or anyone like that who puts you through gaps, it's about making big plays.

Palu in action on Sunday. Source: FoxSports

"You either have to make a big hit in defence to turn the game around, or a big run, or something like that."

"After a game I look and see if I did anything to change the game. If I have 19 carries but none of them were breaks, or 20 tackles and none of them were big hits, I don't really see it as a good game for me."

Hard cut here to the aching ribs of Warwick Tecklenburg, the poor Lions reserve who copped Palu's theory in practice midway through the Waratahs win on Sunday.

With his back turned, Tecklenburg was looking to catch and shift on a lofted pass when the Waratahs no. 8 train arrived on time and whacked hard into his ribs.

"Lucky he wasn't facing me he would have probably stepped me or something," Palu joked.

The game was won for NSW at that point but it still captured an emphasis on defensive physicality the Waratahs have added to their game this year; albeit quietly, compared to attention on their attack.

Palu in action on Sunday. Source: FoxSports

Palu said full-contact sessions at Waratahs training — usually on a Tuesday — had bred a consistently tougher mentality, and were brutal he admitted to having butterflies beforehand.

"Every time you come to training you get nervous and stuff. You know it is going to be a pretty tough session," Palu said.

"We train pretty hard here, so when you see it in the games it's not really a big step up. You don't think: "Oh geez, we are on fire here"."

Forecasting a physical battle with the Rebels, Cheika said he'd been pleased with his team's muscle in 2014.

"We have worked hard on becoming more physical, and all year we have stepped up to the plate," he said. "It is something we want to try and use as one of our tools, just as much as playing the game."

Palu, Higginbotham, Ben McCalman and Scott Fardy are likely to be four of six backrowers in McKenzie's 32-man squad, with France-bound No.8 Ben Mowen overlooked and No.7 Michael Hooper backed up by Matt Hodgson or Liam Gill.

Palu in action on Sunday. Source: FoxSports

Palu and Higginbotham, who were both injured in McKenzie's first winter, will have to vie with the in-form McCalman for the No.8 jersey, unless McKenzie looks at Fardy as a lock.

Cheika will be happy if Palu takes the Higginbotham battle personally.

"If Higginbotham is being touted as the selection there this is Cliff's chance to get that spot back," he said.

Palu said he believed the competition was good for Australian rugby.

"They have been good for a number of years, I don't know why everyone is talking them up (only) now, Benny and Higgers," Palu said.

"They've just been unlucky with injury. If I don't get picked, I don't take it personally. It is just really what the coach wants, and what style of play he is going to go with."

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