The British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia is now three video games outdated, with the vacationers unbeaten after wins over Western Power, Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.
Subsequent up, it is the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday night time [Wednesday morning BST], earlier than that leaves solely Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide.
However all roads are in fact main again to Brisbane, the place the primary Take a look at in opposition to the Wallabies will likely be performed at Suncorp Stadium the next week.
With that in thoughts, let’s overreact to the tour thus far — and the Wallabies’ preparations.
THE WALLABIES ARE DOOMED AT NO. 10
Verdict: Overreaction
Australia’s solely hit-out earlier than the primary Take a look at with the Lions got here in opposition to Fiji on Sunday, when solely a 79th minute attempt from Harry Wilson noticed them keep away from a second straight loss to the Pacific islanders. The Fijians have been sensible, driving the momentum of a five-pointer on the stroke of halftime to utterly dominate the second stanza, finally solely to be denied by Wilson’s heroics.
Not like the final two Lions visits to Australia, this was the primary time the Wallabies could have loved a recreation earlier than going through the vacationers. It was massively helpful, however did proceed a problematic current theme for fly-half Noah Lolesio, who has began all however two of Schmidt’s now 14 Assessments in cost. Within the 61st minute of Saturday’s recreation in Newcastle, Lolesio was tackled to the bottom closely and was later stretchered off in a medicab for the second time in two months. It was additionally his fourth head knock of 2025, after separate incidents within the Brumbies’ win over the Drua in Spherical 1 after which once more of their semifinal defeat by the Chiefs.
With all that in thoughts, and the truth that fellow Wallabies squad member and No. 10 Tom Lynagh has additionally frolicked on the sidelines following head knocks, is it time for the Wallabies to panic about No. 10? No, as a result of there’s a easy answer to repair it.
Joe Schmidt might flip to both James O’Connor or Bernard Foley, if nothing greater than to safeguard the Wallabies fly-half choices to face the Lions. If it was ok for Andy Farrell, who introduced in son Owen final week, certainly Schmidt can comply with go well with? It would not be an admission that his want to look to the longer term was flawed, as a substitute only a short-term fallback for the sequence alone. And maybe they would not even be required in any respect. However that is no time to be proud, good coaches are adaptable — and Schmidt have to be right here. – Sam Bruce
SLOPPY MISTAKES BECOMING A REAL ISSUE FOR LIONS
Verdict: Not an overreaction
It was obvious even within the opening exchanges in opposition to Argentina that the Lions have been forcing the play an excessive amount of and making an attempt for an offload too many. Whereas it wasn’t as apparent in opposition to the Power and Reds, the problem reared its head as soon as extra once more in opposition to the Waratahs.
Some days all the things sticks, and everybody finds their rhythm and it isn’t a difficulty. Others, issues simply do not work as you need. The regarding factor for Andy Farrell will likely be the truth that no person actually grabbed the sport by the scruff of the neck and mentioned: “This is not working.”
Now, Farrell could have informed them to play that manner, however there comes a degree if you simply have to construct stress, undergo some phases and construct stress. Little question the Lions have the gamers to provide some scintillating attacking rugby, however typically it simply wants tightening up earlier than you may go down that path. – James Regan
WALLABIES WILL HAVE LIONS’ RESPECT, BUT THERE IS LITTLE FEAR FACTOR
Verdict: Not an overreaction
Following Australia’s optimistic performances within the autumn internationals, there was a consensus that the Lions tour wouldn’t be as one-sided as folks thought it might be following the World Cup. Whereas it is onerous to guage the Wallabies an excessive amount of given they’ve performed only one Take a look at, the lower than spectacular 21-18 win over Fiji, earlier than they face the Lions, leaves a rising sense within the north that the vacationers can win the sequence 3-0.
They’ve the star energy and a number of other skilled campaigners who’ve tasted loads of success at home and worldwide degree. It is to not say a sequence win is assured — nothing is on a tour like this — however the Wallabies merely do not have the fear-factor they’ve had in earlier years. They’ve gifted gamers, however the group does not have the aura that sides previously have held.
Can they develop it? Completely… And issues can change rapidly. However at this stage, the Lions will not precisely be quaking of their boots. – James Regan
THE TMO MESS COULD DECIDE THE SERIES
Verdict: Overreaction
Rugby is actually not alone on this, however expertise continues to current issues for officiating, each for the velocity of its supply and precisely when and the place the Tv Match Official can and may’t intervene. We noticed a number of situations of this over the weekend, not simply within the Waratahs-Lions and Wallabies-Fiji video games, but in addition within the thrilling New Zealand-France Take a look at match.
In most situations, the best choice was reached. However there stays a level of ambiguity across the TMO’s function, actually Fiji coach Mick Byrne was confused after Sireli Maqaqa’s attempt was scrubbed off as a result of Harry Potter had put a foot in contact — earlier than the guests’ turnover — in Newcastle on Sunday.
The priority is that this massively anticipated sequence between the Lions and Wallabies might be overshadowed by the TMO. It’s a thought not with out weight, however given there are three Assessments, you’d hope that both the Wallabies or Lions can show their superiority, by their on-field play, over the course of the fortnight. It is inevitable that selections will likely be debated, and the TMO will likely be referred to as upon, however there’s sufficient expertise in either side for the rugby to do the speaking. At the least that’s the hope proper now. – Sam Bruce
– Because it occurred – British & Irish Lions 21-10 Waratahs: Error susceptible vacationers stutter to victory
– Three issues we discovered from the Lions’ win over the Waratahs
– Andy Farrell questioned ‘watered’ floor vs. Waratahs
– Full fixture record for Lions tour of Australia
– Every part you could learn about summer season Lions tour
– The total 38-man Lions squad
