I have a habit of being smug about being right, which is
probably because it doesn’t happen very often.
But one thing I am especially proud of is the fact that, because I lived
in Sydney for a year, I know a bit more about the Australian climate and the Aussies
themselves than the average armchair fan.
Firstly, I had to hold myself from laughing when egotistical pundits
announced, with bristling pomposity, that certain players should be selected
for the Lions because they’d suit ‘the hard grounds of Australia’. Sure, in the summer. In Alice Springs. The reality is that it’s a tropical climate
and one which frequently leads to heavy downpours in the winter – remember the
Scots’ magnificent victory last year? They played in monsoon like rain and on a pitch
which I think some women (and metrosexual gentlemen) desiring younger looking
skin would have paid good money to bathe in.
And so I feel pretty smug about my meteorological knowledge
of the Land Down under, but the real thing that tickles me is the stereotypical
view of an Aussie as a laid-back, surfing pretty boy who’s more preoccupied
with maintaining his wondrous blonde locks than causing anyone any damage. I learned that assumption was wrong pretty
quickly as well – mainly by having the sh*t kicked out of me with surprising enthusiasm
on the rugby pitch. I also know plenty
of good blokes in Australia and, whilst they’re all heroes, they won’t mind me
mentioning that most of them are nutters as well. Just like you’re tragically more likely to
know Jeremy Kyle than the Queen in the UK, the stereotypes of nice outback lads
like Steve Irwin are fading away pretty rapidly.
But I guess if we think about it, we knew that one
already. The last 2 Lions tours to
Australia, in 1989 and 2001, have been real slobberknockers, with fists flying
at every opportunity. And perhaps the
most notorious example was in the same fixture taking place this Saturday on
the last time the tourists were Down Under, where that big bully Ronan O’Gara
facebutted the choirboy Duncan McRae’s closed fist 11 times in an unprovoked
assault. OK, this wasn’t an example of
an Aussie being hard – firstly, the guy was prone on the ground, and secondly,
it’s Ronan O’Gara – but it is a sign that these guys are up for it and will
never take a backwards step, especially if you’re going for a win on their
turf.
And that will continue tomorrow, although I’m sure in a way
that’s less straining on a citing commissioner.
Captain Dave Dennis has issued a rallying cry to his Waratahs side,
telling them to ‘knock off’ their illustrious opponents on Saturday – and by
that of course, he means take on physically, rather than anything more sinister
(I hope). The Waratahs are without 11
internationals due to call ups and injuries, but there is power and physicality
still all over the park, with Dennis providing the grunt in the backrow and
John Ulugia providing a ball carrying menace in the close quarters – and that’s
without mentioning Rob Horne in the centres.
The Wallabies man has been released from camp to play in this game and
will not be daunted at all by the prospects of lining up against Jamie Roberts
and Jonathan Davies – the 13 is one of the top tacklers in the game and shone
in the 3-0 whitewash last year in the series between Australia and Wales, keeping
his powerful opponents at bay and scoring twice himself. It's also worth having a look (you won't miss him) at Will
Skelton. 6 foot 8 and 135 kg. And he's 21.
He was part of a school pack that, at one stage, was heavier than the
Waratahs pack. They make 'em differently
over there. But there is some brain to complement all
that brawn as well, with the classy Drew Mitchell adding some serious know-how
from the 15 shirt and the sharp Bernard Foley pulling the strings at 10.
 |
| Guess which one is the school boy, and which is the international Number 8? |
So, whilst we know it will be a physical battle, where will
the game be won or lost? For the
Waratahs, their game will come from pressurising the breakdown and forcing
turnovers – the Lions looked vulnerable against the Combined Country and it is
an area where the NSW side could pounce, with the speed of Peter Betham and
Drew Mitchell outwide – not to mention Ben Volavola and Tom Kingston on the
bench. Dennis will also be looking to
lead the way by getting stuck into the opposition lineout – Tom Young is
statistically the best thrower at the moment, but his ‘wobblers’ are well
documented and, without his mate Geoff Parling in the side, it will be
interesting to see how he fares. The
Lions though will be playing a different kind of pressure game. Foley is a confidence player, and if they can
disrupt his supply, it would make their job so much easier. Brendan McKibbin is a useful player who
always gives his all, but his service is often laboured – especially under pressure
– and that is something that the Lions will look to exploit, on top of their
obvious advantage in the scrum.
So the next test for the Lions awaits in Sydney, with a rich
history of some all-out scraps – unsightly but nonetheless compelling. Here’s hoping that, this time tomorrow, we’ll
be talking about that sparks that were flying, rather than the fists. *Although, admit it, the odd punch up is good
for a rugby player, isn’t it?
Despite having been shorn of eight internationals, the
Waratahs' starting line-up will feature two current Wallabies in No.8 Dave
Dennis and outside centre Rob Horne who have been released from the for this
game. Club captain Pat McCutcheon returns from a knee injury in the only other
change to the side that claimed a Super Rugby victory over the Western Force
last weekend. There is further Test experience in the form of fullback Drew
Mitchell and prop Paddy Ryan. Australia 7s' Bernard Foley has also been
released and will start at No.10 with his international team-mate Ben Lucas
among those named on the bench. The bench has been padded out with three
inexperienced club players in Richard Aho and AJ Gilbert - who have both made
just one Super Rugby appearance - and prop Sam Talakai - who is yet to make his
NSW debut.
Starting Line up:
Drew Mitchell; Cam Crawford, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Peter Betham; Brendan
Foley, Brendan McKibbin; Jeremy Tilse, John Ulugia, Paddy Ryan; Will Skelton,
Ollie Atkins; Jed Holloway, Pat McCutcheon, Dave Dennis (capt).
Subs: Luke
Holmes, Richard Aho, Sam Talakai, Lopeti Timani, AJ Gilbert, Matt Lucas, Ben
Volavola, Tom Kingston.
Key Player
Bernard Foley. It may
seem like I always pick him, but that’s because he’s pretty much my favourite
fly half in Super Rugby at the moment.
He may not have the footwork or the flakiness of Quade Cooper, but in
terms of gut instincts on the rugby field, there are very few better. With an eye for a gap, razor sharp passing, a
cultured boot and almost telepathic vision, he has the ability to unlock any
defence he’s faced with. If he gets
front foot ball on Saturday evening, he’ll be a big threat to the Lions.
Lions Team News
Warburton will captain a side that also includes other
likely Test starters in prop Adam Jones, locks Paul O'Connell and Alun Wyn
Jones and form No. 8 Jamie Heaslip. The backline boasts lock-in fullback Leigh
Halfpenny, centre Jamie Roberts and scrum-half Mike Phillips plus Irish
fly-half Jonathan Sexton. New arrival Simon Zebo gets a run on the left wing
with Sean Maitland on the other while Jonathan Davies partners Roberts in
midfield. Hooker Tom Youngs and loose-head Mako Vunipola complete the front row
while Tom Croft starts at blindside. Fullback Rob Kearney has overcome a
hamstring injury and is set for his first tour outing off the bench. Starting Line up: Leigh Halfpenny; Sean
Maitland, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Mike
Phillips; Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell
, Tom Croft, Sam Warburton (capt), Jamie Heaslip.
Subs: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole,
Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Rob Kearney.
Key Player
Tom Croft. All of the
heat has been on Warburton, but with the balance of the back row being more
important than the individuals it’s arguable that the lanky Leicester flanker
has the biggest role to play. We all
know his strengths – dominant in the lineout, quick around the park and with
supreme speed – but he’ll need to show some real physicality if he’s to make
this potentially exciting back row with Warburton and Jamie Heaslip work. On paper, the unit looks fast, smart and
mobile, but Croft will need to get his mean face on and prove he has the
sufficient grunt to make this trio Gatland’s Test selection.
Key Battle
Dave Dennis v Jamie Heaslip.
The Waratahs stalwart and Aussie international packs down in the 8 shirt
for what should be a gut-bustingly physical and frantic contest with the
Irishman. Released from the Wallaby
camp, the New South Wales captain will not only want to prove a point that he’s
the man to fill in the 6 shirt in the Test series, but he’ll also be tasked
with matching the Lions’ physicality around the fringes. Heaslip may not have been quite as dominant
against Combined Country as he was against the Force the other week, but his
rampaging tendencies 1 or 2 passes away from the breakdown are a great source
of front foot ball for the Tourists. But
if Dennis, rock solid all season, can meet him head on and stop his momentum,
then this red machine might stall and he may be able to stir something special
from his pack.
Prediction
The Tahs are an exciting outfit and this one is shaping up
to be a close one with great clashes all over the park – especially in the
backs. The Lions look to have the edge
up front though and the scrum should be an area of strength, but with the likes
of Foley and Mitchell out wide, the hosts can strike from anywhere at any time,
despite missing so many players. I’m
expecting another war – hopefully not Duncan McCrae style this time round – not
dissimilar to the battle the Lions had in Brisbane last weekend, and again I
think the tourists should just about hold the edge in terms of quality. Lions by 10.
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