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SYDNEY Roosters team of the century fullback Russell Fairfax has questioned the logic behind shifting Anthony Minichiello to the wing in favour of Todd Carney.
In a move designed to re-ignite the Roosters' attack, new coach Brian Smith has outlined a blueprint to use Carney as a ball-playing No 1 similar to Newcastle's Kurt Gidley.
The call means the Roosters' favourite son Minichiello will be restricted to roaming out wide on the wing, where he first burst into the NRL as a teenager in 2000.
Not everyone is behind the move, with club legends Fairfax, Arthur Beetson and Luke Ricketson all pushing for the 2005 Golden Boot winner to be utilised in the more familiar No 1 jumper.
"I don't know if Mini would be as effective out there to be quite honest. I'd rather see him playing fullback," Fairfax said.
"Hot sides have hot fullbacks and Anthony Minichiello's got that turn of speed. He's got power and he loves that creative licence to roam all over the park.
"If Mini's fit, he could be the best fullback in the world. And let's face it, that would add a whole lot of ammunition to the Roosters' backline."
Regarded as the world's premier custodian before a four-season injury curse, Minichiello still harbours a desire to call the fullback jumper his own.
Over the past four months, the Roosters flyer and new coach Smith have had several discussions about the plan - with the veteran coach confirming the move was far from set in stone.
"It's not too bad. Smithy and I have had quite a few chats about the key guys in the team being multi-positional in terms of playing seven, six, one and lock," Minichiello said.
"There's no doubt in my mind that I'll be back at fullback at some points during games and in the first part of the season. But my main focus is just trying to play the whole season."
Since the start of the 2006 season, Minichiello has managed only 33 out of a possible 97 matches as he has battled neck, back and ankle injuries.
Smith pointed out how Minichiello played five-eighth, wing, centre and fullback for the Roosters last season and stressed the move would depend on how Carney, a half or five-eighth at Canberra adapted to his new role at the back.
"Nothing's permanent, no one should break out in boils. If it doesn't look like it's going to work then that's one of the luxuries knowing Mini can play fullback," Smith said.
Beetson reasons the sky is the limit once Minichiello, who is off contract at the end of the season, proves he's fit.
"We tend to forget how good he was before he was injured. That's the sad part about it," Beetson said. "He was the best fullback in the world, keeping people like Billy Slater out of the Australian side."
Ricketson added: "There's probably no one more damaging at the back than Mini, so it's a bit of a sacrifice having him on the wing."
In a move designed to re-ignite the Roosters' attack, new coach Brian Smith has outlined a blueprint to use Carney as a ball-playing No 1 similar to Newcastle's Kurt Gidley.
The call means the Roosters' favourite son Minichiello will be restricted to roaming out wide on the wing, where he first burst into the NRL as a teenager in 2000.
Not everyone is behind the move, with club legends Fairfax, Arthur Beetson and Luke Ricketson all pushing for the 2005 Golden Boot winner to be utilised in the more familiar No 1 jumper.
"I don't know if Mini would be as effective out there to be quite honest. I'd rather see him playing fullback," Fairfax said.
"Hot sides have hot fullbacks and Anthony Minichiello's got that turn of speed. He's got power and he loves that creative licence to roam all over the park.
"If Mini's fit, he could be the best fullback in the world. And let's face it, that would add a whole lot of ammunition to the Roosters' backline."
Regarded as the world's premier custodian before a four-season injury curse, Minichiello still harbours a desire to call the fullback jumper his own.
Over the past four months, the Roosters flyer and new coach Smith have had several discussions about the plan - with the veteran coach confirming the move was far from set in stone.
"It's not too bad. Smithy and I have had quite a few chats about the key guys in the team being multi-positional in terms of playing seven, six, one and lock," Minichiello said.
"There's no doubt in my mind that I'll be back at fullback at some points during games and in the first part of the season. But my main focus is just trying to play the whole season."
Since the start of the 2006 season, Minichiello has managed only 33 out of a possible 97 matches as he has battled neck, back and ankle injuries.
Smith pointed out how Minichiello played five-eighth, wing, centre and fullback for the Roosters last season and stressed the move would depend on how Carney, a half or five-eighth at Canberra adapted to his new role at the back.
"Nothing's permanent, no one should break out in boils. If it doesn't look like it's going to work then that's one of the luxuries knowing Mini can play fullback," Smith said.
Beetson reasons the sky is the limit once Minichiello, who is off contract at the end of the season, proves he's fit.
"We tend to forget how good he was before he was injured. That's the sad part about it," Beetson said. "He was the best fullback in the world, keeping people like Billy Slater out of the Australian side."
Ricketson added: "There's probably no one more damaging at the back than Mini, so it's a bit of a sacrifice having him on the wing."
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