I'm fairness to Borthwick, I'd say that is very possibly the case. His selections with England have consistently raised eyebrows and have often been off beam. However, at Tigers he regularly took a horses for courses approach which I think he's applying for this match.
A kicking game isn't Fiji's forte. They're unlikely to rain bombs on Smith and TBH, it's not as though Steward has covered himself in glory from a positioning POV or defending players ball in hand so I'm not sure we're really losing that much in defence.
This is probably a big stretch, but what if SB's plan is putting Smith at 15 to encourage Fiji to kick and focus on what they're less good at? I don't actually think that would be the case, but if they did abandon their DNA and it becomes more of a kicking contest, I think we win every time.
I think that's stereotyping a bit.
It's not an either / or equation.
Fiji are much more professional than they were. If you're in their shoes you're seeing a small, inexperienced FB and a wing (if Daly plays there) who's notoriously average under the high ball. While they won't totally tear up their usual game plan, of course they're going to test them out and if they get some joy we may see more kicking than usual.
If it is a horse for course selection it's a very mixed message for Steward ahead of a potentially demanding game against excellent opposition. 'You're a bit out of sorts Freddie lad, but a spot of light training and some time in the stands will be perfect preparation for the Boks or France'.
As for confidence. He's a pro player. He should have the mental fortitude to take his chances, and if it doesn't work out bounce back.
Until we start fielding robots it doesn't work like that though. Stuart Broad's batting is a classic, if extreme, case study of what can happen when confidence goes from one bad experience.
The mental side of any sport is huge. The best players are generally the toughest between the ears too, but just because someone's paid doesn't mean they don't have the same fears or anxieties as anyone else (sports psychologists notwithstanding). And just because someone *looks* confident, doesn't mean they actually are. In Smith's case he'll have a point to prove which can be both a positive and a negative force. Some of the criticism directed at him is that he's tried too hard to make things happen in his usual position - so how's he going to react to the expectations in an unfamiliar position? There's potential upside, but risks to both team and player too.
I'm not against the concept of Smith at FB, but this is not an ideal time for experimentation. That should be done at Quins expense
(and will be the type of request that's made when central contracts are around….).
