Why the Lions have a 16-point advantage against the Wallabies
11. Harry Potter: Will have his hands full against Tommy Freeman, and may have been picked due to his ability under the high ball. Rating: 6
10. Tom Lynagh: Has a calm head, but this is an enormous step up for a 22-year-old in his first Wallabies start. A concern. Rating: 6
9. Jake Gordon: The 32-year-old is a proven performer, but has no form to speak of and Ryan Lonergan's excellent game for the Brumbies against the Lions has put the spotlight on the Wallabies' selections at No. 9. Rating: 7
8. Harry Wilson: Loved his toughness and mentality to literally drag his side across the line against Fiji, but probably needs an all-time performance in Brisbane. Rating: 7
7. Fraser McReight: Form hasn't been as good compared to last year, when he was arguably the best player in Super Rugby Pacific. The Wallabies need him to find that top gear. Rating: 8
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny: As tough as they come, but a questionable selection ahead of Tom Hooper. Rating: 6
5. Nick Frost: The tallest man on the field needs to get up and challenge the Lions at lineout time, an area where he caused so much disruption during Super Rugby Pacific. Rating: 7
4. Jeremy Williams: His work rate is exceptional, but the suspicion is that the Lions have the upper hand in power through the scrum and through contact. Rating: 6
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3. Allan Alaalatoa: A mixed Test against Fiji from a scrummaging perspective, and will be attacked by the Lions. Probably the most important player on the field because if the Wallabies can't hold the scrum the Lions will feed off it. Rating: 7
2. Matt Faessler: Underdone after an injury-affected Reds campaign. Highly capable at Super Rugby level, but rival hooker Dan Sheehan is a bigger body. Rating: 6
1. James Slipper: Another contentious selection. Is Angus Bell carrying a niggle? Easily one of the toughest Wallabies of the professional era, but this is a big ask of a 36-year-old. Rating: 6
Wallabies total: 156 (average 6.8 a player)
British and Irish Lions
15. Hugo Keenan: A class act, but is in the team due to injuries to others, and his form isn't where it was a few years ago. Rating: 7
14. Tommy Freeman: One of the outstanding athletes in the Lions squad. Big, tall, strong and a proven Test finisher for England. Rating: 7
13. Huw Jones: Arguably the most impressive back on tour so far. Jones has played his way into the Test side and his sheer size will pose problems. Rating: 8
12. Sione Tuipulotu: Must have been a close selection call ahead of Bundee Aki, and has arguably been helped by the form of his Scotland partner Jones. Looked dangerous with ball in hand against the Waratahs. Rating: 7
11. James Lowe: Has the ability to break your heart in numerous ways, not least with his big left boot. New Zealand Rugby was wrong to let him go. Rating: 8
10. Finn Russell: The Scot is flying and has arrived in Australia full of confidence after guiding Bath to the Premiership title. Has been putting himself about in defence, too. Rating: 9
9. Jamison Gibson-Park: Will set the tempo for the Lions attack, and possibly has been holding something back for the first Test in terms of his running game. One of the world's best when in top form. Rating: 8
8. Jack Conan: There is no doubt the Lions lost something when Ireland's Caelan Doris was ruled out with injury. Conan has been solid so far, but he's a big man and his selection points to a brutal Lions game plan. Rating: 7
7. Tom Curry: Tough openside never plays with anything but total commitment and is a menace at the breakdown. Rating: 8
6. Tadhg Beirne: On his day he's one of the world's best, but his form on this tour has been underwhelming by his standards. Needs a big Test to justify selection. Rating: 6
5. Joe McCarthy: Powerhouse second-rower has been selected to drive home where the Lions believe they have the clearest advantage – up front. Rating: 7
4. Maro Itoje: Impressive England captain is one of those players who can impose himself on a Test due to the strength of his all-round game. Rating: 8
3. Tadhg Furlong: The veteran has improved vastly since his first outing against Argentina before the tour proper got under way. Was underdone then but looks determined to make a scrum statement now. Rating: 8
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2. Dan Sheehan: A world-class hooker who can do it all. Watch out for him hugging the touchline to show his athleticism. Rating: 9
1. Ellis Genge: Made a name for himself as a powerful ball carrier, but his scrummaging has improved markedly in recent years. Rating: 7
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher 6, Andrew Porter 8, Will Stuart 7, Ollie Chessum 8, Ben Earl 7, Alex Mitchell 7, Marcus Smith 7, Bundee Aki 8
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Under-fire Wallabies dismiss 'ridiculous' criticism
Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013. Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013. Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies to double down on halves combination as Schmidt eyes wet-weather warfare
The Wallabies will persist with Jake Gordon and Tom Lynagh in the halves for the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, as coach Joe Schmidt prepares to roll out a powerful 6-2 bench split in anticipation of wet weather at the MCG. There is no sense of panic in the Wallabies camp following last week's 27-19 defeat in Brisbane, but with the series on the line, Schmidt is doubling down on the players who helped restore some credibility during a spirited second-half showing at Suncorp Stadium. Despite calls for halfback Tate McDermott to be paired with his Queensland Reds teammate in Lynagh, Gordon is set to retain the No.9 jersey — a move welcomed by former Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps. 'I think at the moment, Tate's ability to unlock that defence at the back-end of a game is stronger than him starting and Jake trying to do that later,' Phipps said on Stan Sport's Inside Lion show. 'It's always romantic to see a good 30 minutes at the back-end of a game and demand changes. I know Tate would be constantly working to get that start, so would Jake and Nic White.' Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper added: 'I don't think he's going to [make sweeping changes]. That team he's rolled out I think he'll back them again. I'd keep Jake at nine.' Schmidt will confirm his matchday 23 on Thursday in Melbourne ahead of Saturday's clash at the MCG. The Wallabies are expected to retain their centre pairing of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in a back line that grew as the game wore on.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Wallabies to double down on halves combination as Schmidt eyes wet-weather warfare
The Wallabies will persist with Jake Gordon and Tom Lynagh in the halves for the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, as coach Joe Schmidt prepares to roll out a powerful 6-2 bench split in anticipation of wet weather at the MCG. There is no sense of panic in the Wallabies camp following last week's 27-19 defeat in Brisbane, but with the series on the line, Schmidt is doubling down on the players who helped restore some credibility during a spirited second-half showing at Suncorp Stadium. Despite calls for halfback Tate McDermott to be paired with his Queensland Reds teammate in Lynagh, Gordon is set to retain the No.9 jersey — a move welcomed by former Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps. 'I think at the moment, Tate's ability to unlock that defence at the back-end of a game is stronger than him starting and Jake trying to do that later,' Phipps said on Stan Sport's Inside Lion show. 'It's always romantic to see a good 30 minutes at the back-end of a game and demand changes. I know Tate would be constantly working to get that start, so would Jake and Nic White.' Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper added: 'I don't think he's going to [make sweeping changes]. That team he's rolled out I think he'll back them again. I'd keep Jake at nine.' Schmidt will confirm his matchday 23 on Thursday in Melbourne ahead of Saturday's clash at the MCG. The Wallabies are expected to retain their centre pairing of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in a back line that grew as the game wore on.
