‘There's no real confidence' – Joe Schmidt casts doubt on Australia's chances against the Lions
Fiji were rampant in the second half in Newcastle and Schmidt insisted that 'quiet resolve' rather than outright conviction would be his team's currency during the three Tests against Andy Farrell's tourists.
'We didn't play well enough for people to have the expectation that we're going to come bowling into Brisbane and knock the Lions over. I'm not sure that expectation was there before Fiji,' head coach Schmidt said.
'There's not real confidence, but there's a quiet resolve. And that quiet resolve, hopefully over the three-match series, can build to something that will earn us the support of a very interested group.
'We haven't been together for six months. To have five trainings and to be seamless would be an expectation that I hoped for rather than immediately believed would happen. Now we have another short runway to improve on where we were against Fiji.'
Not only did Australia scrape home in a game that saw a Fijian try by Sireli Maqala controversially ruled out, but they also lost fly-half Noah Lolesio with 20 minutes to go after his head hit the ground during a tackle by Elia Canakaivata.
Schmidt is hopeful that Lolesio will only be a short-term absentee after providing a positive update on the 25-year-old playmaker.
'The first question Noah asked me was 'did we win?'. He was still very much focused on the game and he appeared to be in good shape. That's the most important thing,' Schmidt said.
'It was whiplash and his head hit the ground. I'm hopeful that that will be something that resolves itself reasonably quickly. But we won't take any risks that we don't need to.'
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Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
Owen Doyle: For the good of the Lions tour, referees need to stop ignoring the rules of rugby
When Ronan O'Gara and Will Greenwood are right, and the match officials are wrong, it doesn't say much for the latter. My view is that of course it was a foul blow to the head of Mack Hansen . Waratahs' Fergus Lee-Warner was the guilty party just moments before teammate Darby Lancaster touched down in the corner. Referee Paul Williams and all of his supporting cast reviewed the incident. Their deliberations concluded that it was not dangerous play. The try stood when, clearly, it shouldn't have. It was a poor Lions performance in Sydney. Well, okay, maybe a bit better than that, but not by much. When Tadhg Beirne – strangely out of sorts – dropped a pass in the last minute, it mirrored what had gone on all day. I am referring to all the handling errors. Add that to being skinned at the breakdown and the 'quietly resolved' Joe Schmidt might just be thinking that this is a winnable series. Lions coach Andy Farrell spoke afterwards of the need to get out of the blocks faster and he is so right. Most of all, the performance was lacking intensity, lacking the ferocious physicality which must accompany them into the Test arena. It has to change or Schmidt could well have his day in the sun. The exception was the scrum, where the Lions pummelled the home team. Penalty after penalty was won, with their three tries originating from lineout mauls which followed. But, heck, is that what these Lions are about? Why not show belief, ambition and release the backs? With Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in fine fettle, it bordered on the criminal. READ MORE Ireland impress as the Lions struggle Listen | 26:21 The Tests will be refereed by Ben O'Keeffe, Andrea Piardi and Nika Amashukeli. It is important to know whether or not they'll referee the same way as the New Zealand men have done so far. The game 'down south' (and to a lesser degree up here) sees referees ignoring blatant side entries and sealing off the ball at the tackle-breakdown. To some extent, the Lions joined in, so real clarity is needed here from World Rugby. Frenchman Pierre Brousset will handle the Brumbies match and both teams will want him to produce his A-game, which he certainly didn't in Australia v Fiji. French referee Pierre Brousset during the Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton in May. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Against both Queensland and the Waratahs, scrum problems returned. There is a serious inconsistency in whether the referee penalises collapses immediately or resets it; plays on with no advantage, or plays on with advantage. Scrum penalty decisions, often questionable, have far too much influence on results. The lineout shenanigans, outlined here last week , continued. The very first throw of the match was as crooked as the proverbial dog's hind leg and was right in front of Williams. But he allowed play to continue until his TMO tipped him off. Throw-ins directly to the front man were one apiece, neither noticed by any official. Each team had a try correctly ruled out following TMO intervention. On both occasions a lifter inserted himself in front of the catcher as the maul formed – blatant obstruction. It's harder to pick up by the referee at ground level than you might think, but with a little awareness it is very doable. However, it's difficult not to be suspicious that some refs are leaving these decisions, including the throw-ins, to the TMO. So much is going to, or coming from the TMO, that their input is now becoming too close to dominating proceedings. Owen Farrell and that wonderful Lions player of yore, the never-to-be-forgotten Belvederian Tony O'Reilly, have something in common. Both were 33 years of age when they received late call-ups to perform at the high end of the game. O'Reilly's amazing try-scoring exploits still stand as a Lions record: six tries in 10 tests, 38 in all tour matches. Owen Farrell of the British and Irish Lions looks on during last Saturday's match against Waratahs in Sydney. Photograph:He was playing for London Irish when recalled to the Ireland team in 1970, against England at Twickenham, after a seven-year break. Unsurprisingly, it didn't work out. O'Reilly's chauffeur then returned him to his day job of leading the Heinz corporation, with some soft insults ringing in his years. 'Beans means has-beens', and 'you really landed in the soup this time' were as nasty as things got in those days. Farrell stood down from Test rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, departing for Paris to play for Racing 92, on a tip-top financial deal. It was an unfortunate failure, due both to injury and a dip in form. 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It would be a sorry way to finish a stellar international career. We can but wait and see, and hope.
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Brumbies clash puts Lions Test contenders under selection microscope
Time and matches are running out for the 38 players in Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad to prove to their boss they have what it takes to make the team to face Australia in 11 days. The 15 selected on Monday on arrival in the nation's capital to face the Brumbies on Wednesday night must be considered the favourites to start that first of three Tests against the Wallabies given this match's proximity to the series opener and the stern test the hosts possess as the leading Super Rugby franchise on these shores. This Saturday's meeting with the Australian/New Zealand invitation XV in Adelaide will provide a final opportunity to break through into the Test matchday 23 seven days later but the onus is on Wednesday night's squad to remove any doubt from Farrell's mind that they belong in the Test team. That means turning 50-50 decisions into more favourable odds and the Lions head coach knows exactly what he is looking for. 'You want to see them stay in every single moment of the game,' Farrell explained, 'and I know that sounds harsh and almost impossible to do but they understand 100% now, and have done for a week or so, what is expected of them to be the best team-mate that they can possibly be. 'So, that's what we're judging them on, the expectation of that and what it takes to be the best version of themselves but also what it takes to be part of this team and they understand that because ultimately that's what is going to make us successful or not.' There is a sense that some players named on Monday to face the Brumbies have already had their names inked in for the Brisbane opener, not least captain Maro Itoje who partners Joe McCarthy, one of eight Irishmen in this putative Test team, in the second row. The front row of Ellis Genge and Irish duo Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong have emerged as the most settled and yet dynamic and aggressive trio while the half-back pairing of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell has seemed nailed on to start against Joe Schmidt's side at Suncorp Stadium since they started together for the first time just a fortnight ago in the same venue against the Queensland Reds. There appears to be still some convincing to do for this Lions back row of Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, and Jack Conan as Farrell continues his quest for the right balance for attacking the breakdown while also ensuring the lineout clicks with an extra jumper at the set-piece while in midfield the Lions will air their fifth different partnership in as many matches when the all-Irish pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose gets the chance to outdo the displays and clear synchronicity put on by Scotland duo Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones last time out against the Waratahs. Farrell wants a headache by the time he gets to Brisbane, that much is clear, but even better would be for his starting XV to emerge with shining clarity over these next two games. 'Guys will know all along… selection, there's a feel. It's not just 100 per cent, 'he's the best player and he has to'… it's combinations and it's how he makes the team tick and the team feel etc, there's a lot of different stuff that has to come together in regards to what makes a team play well. 'At the same time if you're talking about the individuals then if there's a 50-50 that has to be made, we'll make it. It might come down to something that they don't agree with but I always think that selection, if you make it a 60-40 or a 70-30 in your favour then that says it all really.' BRUMBIES: A Muirhead; B O'Donnell, O Sapsford, D Feliuai, C Toole; D Meredith, R Lonergan – captain; L Ieli, L Lonergan, R van Nek; L Shaw, C Neville; T Hooper, R Scott, T Taii Tualima. Replacements: L Bowron, C Orr, F Fotuaika, L Hooper, L Reimer, H Goddard, J Debreczini, H Creighton. BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: B Kinghorn; T Freeman, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Lowe; F Russell, J Gibson-Park; E Genge, D Sheehan, T Furlong; M Itoje – captain, J McCarthy; O Chessum, T Curry, J Conan. Replacements: R Kelleher, A Porter, W Stuart, J van der Flier, H Pollock, A Mitchell, M Smith, M Hansen.
The 42
10 hours ago
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Farrell shows his hand while retaining scope for first Test tweaks
'UP THE MIGHTY Brumbies,' said the pilot of this morning's flight into Canberra as he started the descent. It looks like Stephen Larkham's side might need all the well wishes they can get for Wednesday's meeting with the Lions, who are fielding a Test-like team. The pilot had just thanked Joe Schmidt and some of his Wallabies players for being onboard the plane from Newcastle. The Australians broke from camp after Sunday's narrow win over Fiji, getting a few days off before reconvening to build towards the first Lions Test in two weekends. Speaking after his team's 21-18 victory, Schmidt said he was intrigued to see Andy Farrell's Lions selection for this game against the Brumbies. Schmidt's thinking was that it would be a strong indicator of Farrell's plans for the first Test. And so it seems to be. This is the Lions warm-up team that every player surely wanted to be part of. Maybe not at the start of the tour when it looked like the final friendly game against the AUNZ Invitational side on Saturday would be the last Test rehearsal a week out from that clash with the Wallabies in Brisbane. But as things shifted in recent weeks, it started to appear that this Wednesday's meeting with the Brumbies in Canberra was when Farrell would roll out the majority of his Test team for a final tune-up. So it is that likely Test halfbacks Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell return at the heart of a powerful, punchy-looking starting XV that includes eight Irish players. There is still plenty of time for Farrell to change things up, of course. It is far from unforeseeable that someone could play on Saturday against the AUNZ side and then feature in the first Test against the Wallabies a week later. Lions head coach Andy Farrell. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Injury also remains an unfortunate possibility between now and then. Yet it's undeniable that Farrell is viewing this Brumbies game as an important last chance to build more cohesion within the bulk of his first Test team. Advertisement The front row of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong has a potent look to it – with Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, and Will Stuart in support – while captain Maro Itoje returns in the second row alongside the explosive Joe McCarthy. Jack Conan is the favourite to start the Tests at number eight, while blindside Ollie Chessum and openside Tom Curry get a big chance to stake their claims on either side of him. James Lowe and Tommy Freeman were always fancied to be the Test wings, while Blair Kinghorn has been many people's favourite to start at fullback. That back three will look to combine against the Brumbies. Ireland's Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose make up the all-Irish midfield pairing after Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones combined effectively in the centres on Saturday against the Waratahs. There were hopes that one from each of those nations' partnerships might team up for the Tests, but one established pairing makes sense. The advantage appears to be with Aki and Ringrose now. If they combine well with Gibson-Park and Russell, the ball is in their court. It would seem hasty to write off Hugo Keenan, given his sheer class for the past four years. He has been the best fullback in the Lions countries over that time but this tour has been frustrating for him with injury and illness. It surely won't be comfortable watching Kinghorn have a cut on Wednesday. The same is true of Tadhg Beirne, who has played in the second row and at blindside flanker for the Lions in this campaign. Again, his class is beyond question and his performances over the last few years mean he arguably deserves a starting Lions spot, but there is no guarantee right now as McCarthy and Chessum state their claims. This will be Chessum's first appearance at blindside on this tour. 'He's been very impressive,' said Farrell. 'Everyone in the second row has been really competing. This is a different option for us, like we did with Tadhg Beirne as well, so I think there's good competition there. Ollie Chessum starts at blindside flanker. Billy Sitckland / INPHO Billy Sitckland / INPHO / INPHO 'He [Chessum] is a big man. He's obviously a fantastic lineout option, but he moves really well. For big men, sometimes it can be a little bit not as flowing, but he's a rugby player throughout, as in good with the ball in hand, he understands the game. It'll be interesting to see how he goes at six on the weekend.' Welsh flanker Jac Morgan is another in this category, outside this matchday 23 but with one more chance to shine on Saturday against the AUNZ team. Josh van der Flier is only on the bench for Wednesday but he is obviously still in contention for a Test start. It's intriguing that Henry Pollock, another back row, is also among the replacements as Chessums covers the second row. It's also notable that there is no out-and-out cover at inside centre in the matchday 23, even if Ringrose has played there for Ireland in the past. Marcus Smith provides back-up at out-half and fullback, but Mack Hansen provides fullback cover and plays on the wing. A certain Owen Farrell would, of course, deliver 10/12 cover from the bench if needed in the Tests. Head coach Farrell is adamant that everything is still up for grabs despite the Wednesday side having a Test feel to it. 'There is always going to be speculation, but it is up to people to put their best foot forward for a Test spot from now on in with regards to the chance they have got on Wednesday and on Saturday,' said Farrell today in Canberra. 'Players can play themselves in and players can play themselves out, but we are looking for a cohesive team performance and that is what we are trying to achieve.' One person who will be reading into this selection is Schmidt, who clearly feels that this Wednesday team will be similar to the one his Wallabies side face in the first Test. Farrell is always capable of a surprise. Few people expected Jamie Osborne to start at fullback for Ireland last summer in South Africa. Maybe he has something up his sleeve again now. And on the other side of the coin, Farrell believes Schmidt will have a few surprises to spring after holding things back as the Wallabies failed to deliver a 'super hot' performance against Fiji on Sunday. '100%, he wouldn't be showing all of his hand, he will have a few tricks up his sleeve,' said Farrell. Here's hoping for a few late twists and turns on both sides as the first Test looms.
