According to our good books, as well as taxying nosewheel steering on the 'J' is REQUIRED to maintain directional control in the event of an abort, 3-eng landing, double assy landing, or if an outboard engine fails after V1. From experience it can also be quite useful following a new Co's landing in any reasonable crosswind... To put the co in the LHS as PF would leave the Capt as the one signing for the aircraft but not always able to control it.
Having said that, I don't see this as a problem when the Co has gained some general aircraft experience. I do believe though that giving a 180hrTT pilot straight from the OCU over-riding control of a 4-engine aircraft is doing it too soon. Simply, it introduces an avoidable risk unnecessarily.
My tuppence worth. Powers that be have other ideas methinks.