SOPS, yes sure if you have a fleet of 777s and 380s as big as Emirates, you can misuse them on short sectors!!
Australopithecus,
Which QF long haul routes cant the 787/9 fly for Qantas,except say Joberg and Santiago,that the 380s are not currently operating?
I think the desired end result for Qantas was 3 types, 380,787 and 737.
United start melbourne LAX later in the year with 787/9s, and ANA and JAL are using their 787 fleets for a mixture of domestic short haul and long haul routes!
But one could argue, therein lies the Qantas mistake, ANA and JAL also have large fleets of 777s, as their large aircraft for long haul, not 380s.
For sure Qantas would be in a better position with 777s,787s and 737s, a very efficient fleet!