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Extra.ie
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Ronan O'Gara gives scathing verdict on Australian rugby after Lions win
The British and Irish Lions got the test series against the Wallabies off to a perfect start as they didn't need to get out of second gear in their 27-19 win in Brisbane. The Lions set the pace early as Tadhg Beirne won a penalty after less than 30 seconds which Finn Russell knocked over for three and from there Australia couldn't keep up. If the Lions were any more accurate in their execution in attack they could've finished up with 40-odd points and smashing the Aussies, but a lack of accuracy cost them. Tadhg Furlong. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie However three tries, coming from Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Curry and Dan Sheehan and another penalty from Marcus Smith was all the Lions needed to win and they didn't have to show their hand too much to win. The Lions are heavy favourites for this series but a lot of fans were hoping the Wallabies would show up and give the Lions a scare just to make it a contest. However Australia couldn't match the Lions' physicality and looked like they didn't have any plan to combat it. Maro Itoje. Pic:INPHO/Billy Stickland The score line heavily flattered the Aussies and speaking on Sky Sports afterwards Ronan O'Gara said as much so. 'The greatest mystery for me was that there was eight points between the team because I thought there was a gulf in class between the two teams.' Australia also had to contend with having to play the inexperienced Tom Lynagh at fly-half. Just 22-years old, this test was Lynagh's first start for his country and behind a struggling Aussie pack, he struggled while the Lions also targeted him in the backfield with a succession of high kicks which he struggled to deal with. Tom Lynagh. Pic:O'Gara mentioned how Lyangh was thrown into a baptism of fire by Head Coach Joe Schmidt and would've always struggled to do any good with the way Australia were set up. 'This is such a steep learning ground for Tom Lynagh, it's not really a series to let a youngster succeed, creating conditions around that to let a young person succeed. I suppose this is the brutal side of professional sport, he'd be better and I think he's a quick learner but he needs to be better and he needs to be better.' "That's as disappointed as I've been with a Wallabies team!""There was a gulf in class between the teams" Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara break down the current state of Australian rugby following their first Test loss 🗣️
CNA
15 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Schmidt proud of Wallabies fightback despite first test loss
BRISBANE :Australia coach Joe Schmidt conceded that the British & Irish Lions deserved to win the first test on Saturday but thought the Wallabies fightback in the final quarter proved they were developing. After being dominated by the Lions for an hour, tries from replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott got the Wallabies within eight points of the tourists and Schmidt thought they were unlucky not to have a couple more. Schmidt has been clear throughout his year in charge that his team are a development project and thought it a sign of progress that they fought back rather than folded. "I just think that this time last year, I think we probably would have melted, but I love the way this team is developing," he said after the 27-19 defeat at Lang Park. "I felt like we fought our way back into the game. I felt if we could get within one score, then you never know what can happen. "I'm not saying the Lions didn't deserve to win it, because I feel that they did on the balance of what they did in that first half. "We'll have a look in the cold light of day and be a little bit more analytical, but very proud of the way the players fought their way back." Schmidt handed a first test start to flyhalf Tom Lynagh and a debut to flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and thought both acquitted themselves well. The New Zealander said loose forward Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton would be fit to return for the second test in Melbourne next week, which might help the Wallabies compete physically with the Lions. "Some of our collision area work has to be better, just because we know they're coming so hard there," he said. "As I mentioned earlier, there were a few things in the lineout that I think we can tidy up. And I thought, in contrast, I thought the scrum was very strong." Schmidt was pleased with the impact of his bench in the last quarter and thought there were some other positives to take to Melbourne, when the Wallabies will be playing to stay alive in the three-match series. "We weren't far away," he said. "I think the team grew into the game. I think they did show a desperation to defend our line and to be in as many of the contests for position as they could be.
Reuters
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Schmidt proud of Wallabies fightback despite first test loss
BRISBANE, July 19 (Reuters) - Australia coach Joe Schmidt conceded that the British & Irish Lions deserved to win the first test on Saturday but thought the Wallabies fightback in the final quarter proved they were developing. After being dominated by the Lions for an hour, tries from replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott got the Wallabies within eight points of the tourists and Schmidt thought they were unlucky not to have a couple more. Schmidt has been clear throughout his year in charge that his team are a development project and thought it a sign of progress that they fought back rather than folded. "I just think that this time last year, I think we probably would have melted, but I love the way this team is developing," he said after the 27-19 defeat at Lang Park. "I felt like we fought our way back into the game. I felt if we could get within one score, then you never know what can happen. "I'm not saying the Lions didn't deserve to win it, because I feel that they did on the balance of what they did in that first half. "We'll have a look in the cold light of day and be a little bit more analytical, but very proud of the way the players fought their way back." Schmidt handed a first test start to flyhalf Tom Lynagh and a debut to flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and thought both acquitted themselves well. The New Zealander said loose forward Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton would be fit to return for the second test in Melbourne next week, which might help the Wallabies compete physically with the Lions. "Some of our collision area work has to be better, just because we know they're coming so hard there," he said. "As I mentioned earlier, there were a few things in the lineout that I think we can tidy up. And I thought, in contrast, I thought the scrum was very strong." Schmidt was pleased with the impact of his bench in the last quarter and thought there were some other positives to take to Melbourne, when the Wallabies will be playing to stay alive in the three-match series. "We weren't far away," he said. "I think the team grew into the game. I think they did show a desperation to defend our line and to be in as many of the contests for position as they could be. "And I do think if we can just improve our accuracy, it will help us to be competitive."
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Felt like a bonus-point loss at the end'
2005 British and Irish Lion Tom Shanklin - "It seemed weird that Australia were socialising with the Lions players, weird they kicked the ball off at the end, it was like it was a bonus-point loss."You want to see an Australia team deliver, to try and (show) some endeavour and they are lacking a lot in attack. At so many stages they were crowding around Tom Lynagh and they didn't know where to go."
Daily Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Rugby union: ‘Cynical' Tom Lynagh act rocks ‘bang average' Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. Wallabies youngster Tom Lynagh was crunched mid-air in a tackle labelled 'cynical' by many during the British and Irish Lions' 27-19 victory at Suncorp Stadium. In the first match between these teams in 12 years, the Lions burst out of the blocks and controlled the majority of the 80 minutes in an ominous start to the three-Test series. Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports The Aussies kept competing and narrowed the gap with tries in the 67th and 78th minutes, but it was too little too late and the outcome was never in doubt. A moment late in the first half proved a huge talking point when 22-year-old flyhalf Lynagh, the son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, was taken out by Tom Curry after leaping for a high ball right on Australia's 22. Watch the Lynagh tackle in the video player above Tom Curry gives away a penalty for this mid-air tackle on Tom Lynagh. (Photo by) Considering how rarely the Lions are in this part of the world, it was a banner evening in front of a packed house in Brisbane for a sport that has struggled in Australia for years. The tourists then duly burst out of the blocks, slotting a penalty goal inside two minutes when NRL convert Joseph Suaalii was pinged for not releasing. Eight minutes later it looked like a mauling might be on the cards when Finn Russell's superb pass found Sione Tuipulotu, who crossed to give the Lions a sensational start. They had another try disallowed in the 19th minute before the Aussies struck back out of nowhere in the 28th minute. Jake Gordon's box kick led to an aerial contest in Lions territory and Max Jorgensen won the battle for the ball before powering over the line for an Australian try. Sione Tuipulotu celebrates an early try for the Lions. (Photo by) 'Jorgensen on the hunt, that's a good competition. Jorgensen! Jorgensen freakish and the try for Australia,' Sean Maloney said on Stan Sport. Wallabies great Tim Horan added: 'Unbelievable from Max Jorgensen. That's got the Wallabies fans up at Suncorp Stadium. 'They've tried that box kick a few times now and it's been a bit too deep. 'On this occasion, Gordon gets enough height on it and Max Jorgensen's only got eyes for the ball. 'He goes up, rips it away, what a try for the Wallabies.' Fellow commentator Morgan Turinui noted it was Australia's first meaningful attack of the game. Max Jorgensen hit back for the Wallabies. (Photo by) 'That's why he's there Max Jorgensen, he is an elite athlete,' he said. 'He gets up and rips it away, the Wallabies, it's their first time in possession in the Lions' 22 and they take a try out of it.' Ten minutes later, the moment arrived that had people on both sides of the globe talking. A box kick from the Lions was secured in the air by Lynagh, who was playing his fourth Test and his first run-on start, only for Curry to crunch him before his feet had landed back on the turf. 'Lynagh, great take – oh caught high. Caught in the air,' Maloney said. 'That's so brave from Tom Lynagh,' Horan continued. 'Had to put his body on the line, he gets collected in the air from Tom Curry. 'Looks like it's penalty only.' A fired up Turinui jumped in with: 'Yeah only because he's lucky enough not to land on his head. 'That's cynical. It's a chance to have a crack at a young No. 10 and the Lions have taken it. 'If you want to know, Wallabies forward pack, what the Lions want to do to your No. 10, there it is.' It immediately had the sports world talking. Sports broadcaster Motshidisi E. Mohono tweeted: 'That's so silly from Curry.' Rugby Bits was clearly relishing the moment, replying: 'Can't waste opportunities like that to smash a 10. 'They 100% have a plan to target Lynagh anyway so playing 39 minutes of a Test match and then that opportunity is there, only one outcome haha.' Hilarious. A small group of Aussie fans find themselves surrounded by Lions fans. (Photo by) X account @OzDeniser offered: 'Refereeing has been atrocious. Lynagh taken out in the air: naughty boy. Knock on by Lions at crucial point: nothing to see here.' Chalyn Rugby tweeted: 'That tackle by Tom Curry on Tom Lynagh is late, cynical and should be Yellow Carded right away.' John Duffield added: 'Tom Curry left his shoulder in the boy Lynagh there. Should have been a yellow. Dangerous.' At halftime, Aussie flanker Fraser McReight was fired up. 'It was pretty chaotic out there and pretty physical. Obviously it's just a battle out there,' he told Stan Sport. Curry scores for the Lions as his teammates erupt. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) 'You know great kicking, we've just got to stay in it discipline-wise. 'The boys are doing great, look at (Lynagh), look at Jergo out there. So f**k 'em.' Nothing like live sport to get the curses flowing. It would be fair to say the expectations of the Wallabies were low coming into this game against a powerful side made up of the best England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales can muster. Calum McClurkin, a sub-editor at the Scottish Daily Mail, made his feelings clear early in the game. Carlo Tizzano scores for the Wallabies. (Photo by) 'I said after the Argentina defeat that could be the toughest game the Lions will have all summer. Not seen much from the Aussies to suggest otherwise. Bang average and as long as the Lions don't force things too much … too many powerful ball carriers for Australia to contain. 'The Wallabies just look so limited. A shadow of what they were even 10 years ago.' Australia has been stuck in a low ebb in the 15-man game for years. If nothing else, the Aussies know the level they need to reach if they're any chance of replicating the famous Wallabies side that beat the Lions 2-1 a long 24 years ago. Originally published as 'Cynical' Tom Lynagh act rocks 'bang average' Wallabies against the Lions
