Lions still on red alert despite gaping holes in Australia’s team sheet | Robert Kitson
Sometimes the best place to gauge the mindset of a head coach before a big game is not the training pitch or the press conference room but the pub across the road.Which is where Andy Farrell and his wife, Colleen, were enjoying a relaxing post-team selection drink by an open window when a few of us happened to wander past en route back from dinner.There may be a huge contest looming but, the closer it draws, the more at ease Farrell is beginning to look.While the competitor in him loves the approaching whiff of cordite he is not a man who believes in sitting and fretting in his room before major contests.He likes to be out and about, getting a sense of the local mood and helping to fill the quiet before the storm.
Which is how it came to pass, strolling through Brisbane on Thursday, that he bumped into a noted former rugby league opponent Gorden Tallis, nicknamed “Raging Bull” in his playing days for his aggressive approach.The pair had a lengthy chat, during the course of which the conversation turned to the psychology around the thunderous State of Origin games of a quarter of a century ago.The Queensland sides of that era were often viewed by outsiders as underdogs but within their own dressing room it was very different.Tallis told Farrell the Maroons never saw themselves in that light, offering a timely reminder that this Lions series could still unfold differently to how many people expect.“Australia will be [thinking] exactly the same,” cautioned Farrell, having finally confirmed his first Test lineup.
“It’s the same as us being favourites.It’s about your preparation and how you get down to performing and that’s all that matters.”Farrell, in short, has been around enough Australian opposition to remain on red alert despite a Wallaby team sheet which, at first glance, contains more holes than a battered old colander.No Rob Valetini; no Will Skelton; no Langi Gleeson; a fly-half making his first Test start in the shape of Tom Lynagh and an uncapped flanker, the magnificently named Nick Champion de Crespigny, whose family originate from Normandy and whose grandfather is a renowned Asian historian.If they intend to rival the legendary Wallaby sides of yesteryear, not least those that featured Lynagh’s father, Michael, this depleted mob still have some way to travel.
That said, De Crespigny is one to keep an eye on – “He’s a psycho, he loves contact,” revealed his teammate Fraser McReight approvingly – and the Wallabies still possess a decent lineout and a gritty front five.Where the Lions will be hoping to gain an edge, however, is in collective muscle and intent.Farrell looks likely to tailor his selections to fit the circumstances in this series but, first up, it would seem he wants to give his hosts a proper full-frontal physical examination.Hence the selection of no-nonsense forwards such as Ellis Genge and Joe McCarthy and, notably, Tom Curry who has narrowly won the nod to start ahead of Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier.With Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan riding shotgun, the Wallaby defence will be fully occupied even before Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell start pulling the strings.
Then there is the big game experience of Tadhg Beirne which, as much as anything else, has earned him the blindside berth ahead of Ollie Chessum.Beirne, as well as providing an extra lineout presence, has the ability to snaffle a turnover or two.The Wallabies have some talented athletes but first of all they have to win the ball.And if that proves a struggle and their foundations start to wobble, the Lions fancy they have enough on the bench to capitalise.Australia, for that very reason, have held the excellent Angus Bell back while the Exeter-bound Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano will also be invited to add extra second‑half zest.
Sign up to The BreakdownThe latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewedafter newsletter promotionListening to Joe Schmidt, though, there was not a massive amount to persuade Australia fans to sprint to the bookies and bet the acreage on a home win.For that to happen Lynagh, schooled at Epsom College, needs to have the game of his young life and someone else will have to fill the conspicuous crater left by the absence of Valetini, his side’s primary ball-carrier.Even then the innate understanding of the Scottish midfield trio of Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones plus Tommy Freeman’s ability in the air should assist the Lions, although the loss of Blair Kinghorn, Mack Hansen, Elliot Daly and Garry Ringrose has not obviously strengthened the visitors.And if Marcus Smith finds himself on early at full-back, he can definitely expect a good deal of aerial heat.But if the true indicator of a squad is the calibre of player omitted the Lions should be in reasonable shape.
Morgan, Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier, Owen Farrell … plenty of decent back-up there for the remaining two Tests.And in the here and now, few understand better than Andy Farrell the need to be “physically and mentally in control” when the stakes escalate.“They’ll be fighting tooth and nail, won’t they?” murmured the former Man of Steel.Farrell may be exuding a sense of calm as expectations rise but, equally, he is not about to fall prey to complacency.
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