Pod mounted engines on the wings also act as mass balances to counteract flutter.
This reduces even further the required strength of the wing.
Also rear mounted engines are a pain in the arse when you have to sit in Economy at the back. Like I used to have to do everyweek on MD80's when I worked in Sweden a while back.
Although they are excellent when you get to sit up at the front.
It is the quietest jet I've ever been on.
or maybe that was the champagne I was drinking.