Champion De Crespigny gets surprise Wallabies debut for the opening Lions Rugby Test
head coach
Joe Schmidt
has made bold selection calls ahead of Saturday's opening Test against the
British and Irish Lions
in Brisbane, handing a surprise debut to flanker
Nick Champion de Crespigny
and giving young fly-half
Tom Lynagh
a shock start.
Champion de Crespigny, who impressed with French club Castres before joining the Western Force, gets the nod at blindside flanker in place of the not fully fit
Rob Valetini
, edging out Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson. His inclusion adds grit to the back row alongside captain Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
Digital Marketing
Finance
Data Science
Cybersecurity
Data Science
CXO
Technology
MBA
Others
others
Artificial Intelligence
Design Thinking
MCA
Data Analytics
Product Management
Project Management
Healthcare
Leadership
Management
Public Policy
healthcare
Degree
PGDM
Skills you'll gain:
Digital Marketing Strategy
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing
Social Media Marketing & Advertising
Data Analytics & Measurement
Duration:
24 Weeks
Indian School of Business
Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing
Starts on
Jun 26, 2024
Get Details
— wallabies (@wallabies)
Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, will earn his first Test start in the No. 10 jersey, 36 years after his father faced the Lions in 1989. He leapfrogs Ben Donaldson and veteran James O'Connor, the latter left out entirely. Donaldson will cover from the bench after Noah Lolesio was ruled out with a neck injury.
In other changes, Matt Faessler starts at hooker due to Dave Porecki's concussion, joining front-row stalwarts Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper. Slipper now joins George Smith as the only Wallabies to play in back-to-back Lions series in the professional era.
Live Events
Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost start at lock, Jake Gordon gets the nod at scrum-half, and Len Ikitau partners Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in midfield. Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter start on the wings, with Tom Wright at fullback.
Facing an undefeated Lions side, Schmidt called it a 'massive challenge', urging his team to step up after a shaky warm-up win over Fiji.
Wallabies (15-1):
Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Nick Champion de Grespigny; Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Daessler, James Slipper
Replacements:
Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Women's Euros 2025: Germany running out of defenders to face Spain
Germany defender Sarai Linder has been ruled out of her team's Women's European Championship semifinal against Spain, leaving the eight-time champion short of defenders against the tournament favorites. Linder sustained a capsular ligament injury to her left ankle in the quarterfinal win over France, the German soccer federation said late Sunday. The Wolfsburg left back was injured in a tussle with French forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto. She received lengthy treatment and tried continuing with a bandage around the ankle but had to go off in the 20th minute in obvious pain. Germany was already without injured right back Giulia Gwinn, the team captain who sustained a knee injury in the team's opening game, while defender Kathrin Hendrich's red card against France for pulling Griedge Mbock Bathy's hair means she's suspended for the game against Spain. Midfielder Sjoeke Nsken is also suspended after receiving her second yellow card of the tournament against France. Bayer Leverkusen defender Carlotta Wamser, who was sent off in the final group game against Sweden, could return after serving her suspension against France.
The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
UEFA Women's Euro 2025: Germany running out of defenders to face tournament favourite Spain in semifinal
Germany defender Sarai Linder has been ruled out of her team's Women's European Championship semifinal against Spain, leaving the eight-time champion short of defenders against the tournament favourites. Linder 'sustained a capsular ligament injury to her left ankle' in the quarterfinal win over France, the German Football Federation said late Sunday. The Wolfsburg left back was injured in a tussle with French forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto. She received lengthy treatment and tried continuing with a bandage around the ankle, but had to go off in the 20th minute in obvious pain. ALSO READ: FIFA president Infantino offers support after England's Carter suffers racist abuse Germany was already without injured right back Giulia Gwinn, the team captain, who sustained a knee injury in the team's opening game, while defender Kathrin Hendrich's red card against France for pulling Griedge Mbock Bathy's hair means she's suspended for the game against Spain. Midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken is also suspended after receiving her second yellow card of the tournament against France. Bayer Leverkusen defender Carlotta Wamser, who was sent off in the final group game against Sweden, could return after serving her suspension against France. Related Topics UEFA Women's Euro 2025
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Durand Cup: A Blue Riband Football Tournament Since Pre-Independence India
Last Updated: The Durand Football Tournament, founded in 1888, was India's top football event. Initially in Shimla, it moved to Delhi in the 1940s. The 2025 edition will be in five cities. The Durand Football Tournament was considered the premier football event of India, according to the National Archives of India data published on October 27, 1928. Football was quite popular and widely played in cantonment areas. To further promote the sport, an organised structure was established, leading to the founding of the Durand Cup in 1888 by Sir Henry Durand. In its early years, the Durand Cup was held in Shimla, as per records from the National Archives of India. 'The Durand Cup Football Tournament was mainly contested between British regiments," the record dated to October 28, 1896 says. 'The Highland battalion and 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry mainly dominated the first eight years of the Durand Cup competition." The October 27, 1928 record reveals that the final match was attended by several government officials, including the Governor of Punjab, Sir Stuart Symes. 'Lord Irwin distributed the season's trophies. The Sherwood Foresters got the winner trophy," the 1928 record notes. To ensure public support, the 1935 Durand Cup committee recommended that office staff be granted reasonable leave and facilities to attend the matches. 'The committee will be very grateful for the support," wrote the honorary secretary on August 23, 1935, ahead of that year's tournament starting on September 14. The committee also outlined three main factors for a successful tournament: 'Good teams, good weather and support from the Shimla public," the honorary secretary wrote. To encourage children's attendance, the committee announced a 50 percent discount on tickets for children. Ticket prices were Rs.12 for the first enclosure, Rs.7 and Rs.8 for the second enclosure, Rs.4 for the general stand, and Rs.2 for the ordinary enclosure. In the 1960s, the Durand Cup was a major attraction, widely covered in the media. The 1969 final between the Gurkha Brigade and BSF (Border Security Force), Jalandhar received extensive coverage. The Gurkha Brigade won by a single goal, with national newspapers featuring photos of the match and the winning team with then President of India, Shri VV Giri. The tournament moved from Shimla to Delhi in the early 1940s. After a brief period in Goa, since 2019, the world's third oldest football tournament has been held under the Eastern Command, with Kolkata, considered the Mecca of Indian football, as its home base. In 1972, Shimla Youngs almost upset Kolkata giant East Bengal, with the semi-final ending in a 1-all draw. According to Durand Cup rules, there was no extra time or shoot-out, leading to a rematch the next day, which East Bengal won 5-0. The 2025 edition of the Durand Cup will be held in five cities, including Kolkata and Shillong. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
