Third Test Review - Australia 16 - 41 British & Irish Lions

Firstly, I need to make an apology.  Six days to write up the final Lions Test is a pretty poor effort.  But as somebody who attended the game and who is still in Sydney, I can honestly say it’s not my fault.  I was subjected to a brutal night out with an almost aggressive influx of banter from Wallaby supporters, and the truth is I’ve only just recovered.   But now I’ve finally got what little wits I have back about me, I may as well detail what I was privileged to witness last Saturday.

As I was waiting to go inside the ANZ Stadium on Saturday night for the Third Test between the Wallabies and the Lions, I couldn’t help but wish that this wasn’t the end of the Tour, that maybe the game could be delayed by a couple of days.  Why?  Well, after all the build up over the last month, it’s pretty sad knowing that there’s only 2 hours between the present and the end of it all.  My desire for a delayed kick off was also aided the small factor that the queues for beer were so astronomically long that a camping kit would have been a useful asset, but the waits were made more entertaining by the vocal Lions and Wallabies fans standing in the line who seemed intent on spraying as much saliva into their neighbour’s ear as possible whilst belting out various patriotic tunes.

Despite my reluctance for the Third Test to actually take place, there was no withholding of opinion by the press in the build up to the game.  It was all focused around one point – Warren Gatland’s decision not to play Brian O’Driscoll, the Leinster, Ireland and Lions legend who was the only man remaining from the 2001 Tour.  So much was riding on this big call that Gatland had been subjected to abuse before the first whistle had even been sounded – and he would have been aware that there would be no hiding place for him should his gamble not pay off in the Series decider.

But it was apparent, from the first touch, that there was no hiding place for the players either at the ANZ stadium.  From Johnny Sexton’s kick off, Kane Douglas inexplicably moved out of the way at the last second and left a startled Will Genia to make probably his first mistake of the series, knocking on in the first 3 seconds of the game.  From the ensuing scrum, the Lions won a free kick and Tommy Bowe and Alan Wyn Jones made good yardage before the returning Alex Corbisiero took a smart flick from Mike Phillips and wriggled over the line for a try on the one minute line.  Leigh Halfpenny added the extras, and the Lions were in dreamland.

Both sets of fans were stunned and the stall was well and truly set for the rest of the match.  The Wallabies came roaring back from the restart, with Kurtley Beale showing nifty feet before Israel Folau stepped inside George North to bring the hosts inside the Lions 22.  The men in gold had go forward but were halted abruptly when George Smith charged headfirst into Richard Hibbard’s forehead, knocking himself out in the process and being forced off for a concussion test.  Hibbard didn’t seem to notice.  The loss of the evergreen talisman that is Smith seemed to rattle the Wallabies, as did a cracking hit by Dan Lydiate on Christian Leali’ifano that drove the centre backwards and allowed fellow flanker Sean O’Brien to claim a turnover penalty on halfway.  Halfpenny banished the memories of the previous week with a booming kick that gave the tourists a 10 point lead after just 10 minutes.

It didn’t last long, however, as Wyn Jones and Hibbard were penalised from the restart for blocking and Leali’ifano smoothly slotted the 3 points to bring the Wallabies back within 7.  Unfortunately for the hosts though, the Lions scrum was starting to take charge – and by take charge, I mean utterly destroy.  With Adam Jones continuing to do his thing, Alex Corbisiero showed what a superb scrummager he is by dismantling Ben Alexander on the loosehead side, earning two penalties and 6 points from the boot of Leigh Halfpenny.  It was a desperate state of affairs for the Wallabies – down on the scoreboard, smashed in the scrum, trucked in the tackle (with North pulverising Folau once again) and then, to make things worse, one man down, as Alexander was finally sinbinned after yet another scrum offence.  It was 3 further points for the Lions and, after a breathless opening 25 minutes, the score was 19-3 to the tourists.

The noise was coming from the supporters in red.  Even in the Wallaby sections, where I was, it was the pockets of British and Irish fans who were in full voice and belting out the full array of songs, from Bread of Heaven to Fields of Athenry to Swing Low.  I even heard Flower of Scotland at one point.  The hosts’ fans stunned silence was compounded at the sad sight of Folau leaving the pitch with a hamstring injury, to be replaced by debutant Jesse Mogg.

Luckily for the Aussies, Mogg is some talent himself.  With Beale making space in midfield, Mogg hit a gorgeous line to tear through the defence, and had open space in front of him – only to be denied by a sensational tap tackle by the diving Geoff Parling.  The Wallabies may have been denied the try this time, but the 14-men were showing real guts and a desire to claw their way back into the game.  Genia was threatening, James Horwill and Stephen Moore both went close with strong carries, but time after time the home side were denied, with Tommy Bowe, Parling and Faletau all making important tackles.  There was a sense that if there was any chance at all for the Wallabies in this game, they had to score before half time – and with the last throw of the dice, they managed it.

A rare solid scrum – with Sekope Kepu now on permanently for Alexander – gave the much-maligned James O’Connor decent ball, and the fly half stepped inside Sexton and wriggled through O’Brien, Phillips and Jamie Roberts to score by the posts.  It was a world-class finish worthy of a world-class winger – despite the doubts about his credentials as a 10.  Leali’ifano added the extras, and we had a game on our hands.

The tension was building and it was clear it would be critical who scored first after the break.  And it was the Wallabies who showed up stronger after the break, squeezing out 2 penalties at the breakdown to give the faultless Leali’ifano another 6 points with the boots and bring the men in gold back within 3 points with 35 minutes on the clock.  It was a stunning comeback and all of a sudden it was belief rather than despair that seemed to be permeating through fans and players alike.

The Lions needed a change, especially after their lineout faltered in a promising position.  On came Tom Youngs for the otherwise impressive Richard Hibbard, and he had an impact straight away, carrying strongly along with Wyn Jones to give the Lions a scrum in a useful position.  The ritual humiliation of the Wallabies followed, and Halfpenny extended the lead once again.  This was now a real slobber-knocker with both sides looking dangerous and going close – Beale and O’Connor combined beautifully to open up the Lions defence on the left, with Halfpenny coming to the rescue, before a superb chip and chase by Sexton nearly put Jonathan Davies away via a slick offload from North.

It was all jabs, chin-ticklers, with no real knock-out blow – but then the men in red delivered a crushing blow.  Bowe sliced cross field and good hands from Davies put Halfpenny through half a gap, and the Welsh fullback offloaded well inside to the supporting Sexton, allowing the Irishman to touchdown beneath the posts and send the Lions fans into raptures.

It was a stunning try that was only surpassed by another 5 minutes later – a series-sealing beauty that was made in Wales.  A decent kick by Genia didn’t find touch and Halfpenny, instead of kicking like he so often does, took the defence on – and how.  He beat Genia on the outside and surged inside a lethargic Joe Tomane, before feeding North on the outside and allowing the big Welshman to coast in for the try to end the game as a contest.  It was majestic stuff that rightly sealed Halfpenny’s title as Man of the Series.  Disgustingly, however, he missed the conversion.

The Wallabies’ confidence was shot.  Their game went flat, and the belief drained out of them as quickly as the Lions’ points accumulated, and 10 minutes before the end the final nail in the coffin was hammered in as Jamie Roberts, who had been kept quiet all game, hit a beauty of a line off a maul and coasted in through a gap that Matt Dunning could have waddled through.  It was lazy from the Wallabies; it was ecstasy for the Lions.

The final score was 41-16 to the tourists, and as they celebrated their first series win since 1997, it was notable to detect just a hint of sadness amongst all the fans’ cheering and singing.  After so much anticipation, the Lions tour was done, and it would be 4 years until the next one.  But for those who had doubts about the relevance of a Lions Tour in the current era, all questions had been well and truly answered over the last 5 weeks in Australia.  This was a Tour 12 years in the making, and it made memories that will last a lifetime.

Australia Player Ratings

Kurtley Beale – 6 – Made some magic from the back on a couple of occasions but was kept quiet overall by some strong kicking from the Lions.  His kicking, on the other hand, was a little shaky.

Israel Folau – 5 – A disappointing evening for both the talented man himself and both sets of supporters, as Folau was kept well shackled before going off with a strained hamstring.
Adam Ashley-Cooper –6 – Never let anyone down but was unable to join in the game as an attacking force as the Wallabies struggled for fluency.
Christian Lealiifano – 7 – Looks like a natural Test player when he’s not getting knocked out.  His kicking was flawless once again and almost helped the Wallabies get back into the game, although he will be disappointed with his defence for the Lions’ second try.
Joe Tomane – 5 – For the second week in a row the electric Brumbies winger was surprisingly quiet.  He struggled to make an impact with the ball in hand and looked suspect in defence.
James O'Connor – 7 – It’s safe to say the O’Connor experiment at 10 has failed.  This was his best performance of the Series but he still doesn’t bring in others around him, despite scoring a marvellous solo try...but it was a winger’s score, not a fly-half’s.
Will Genia – 8 – Incredible that he still looked so dangerous behind a beaten pack.  Constantly threatened the fringes and kicked superbly as well.
Benn Robinson – 4 – The problems were mainly on the other side of the scrum but he still had problems and was pinged a couple of times.  Carried well once again though.
Stephen Moore – 5 – The lineout was solid once again but we didn’t see him in the loose as much as usual and he was part of a decimated front row.
Ben Alexander – 2 – Probably one of the worst nights of his rugby career.  Utterly destroyed by Corbisiero to the extent that his coach hauled him off before the half before he could be penalised any more.
Kane Douglas – 4 – A real come down after the promising displays over the last couple of weeks.  His mistake at the opening kickoff set the tone for the evening for the Wallabies and was bullied physically.
James Horwill – 6 – Toiled manfully but was thoroughly outperformed by his opposite numbers in terms of physicality and mobility.
Ben Mowen – 7 – Along with Folau, a real success story for the Wallabies, which is one crumb of comfort to take.  A real pain for the tourists around the fringes, he dealt with Mike Phillips well throughout.
George Smith – 5 – The dream comeback was not to materialise.  He took a big bang to the head early on and seemed slightly off the pace when he returned.
Wycliff Palu – 6 – Made some big statements in defence but was unable to generate any decent go forward with the ball in hand.

Subs Used

Saia Faianga – 5 – Struggled in the scrum but at least upped his sides energy levels at the breakdown.
James Slipper – No time to have an impact.
Sekope Kepu – 6 – The big prop was an improvement in the scrum but was still under a huge amount of pressure from Corbisiero and yielded a couple of penalties.
Rob Simmons – 5 – Unable to break the waves of Lions carriers that were hurtling in his direction.
Michael Hooper – 6 – His energy may have helped the Wallabies at half time but by the time he arrived the decline had well and truly started.
Ben McCalman – 4 – Was he on the field?  Invisible upon his introduction.
Nick Phipps – No time to have an impact.
Jesse Mogg – 6 – Showed some promising touches on his debut, with one scything break in particular in the first half nearly leading to a score.
 

Lions Player Ratings

Leigh Halfpenny – 10 – Magnificent stuff.  Kicked like a dream once again, was defensively superb and we saw some attacking spark to make him the full package.  A wonderful display, that would have earned a man of the match award was it not for the work of someone in the front row...
Tommy Bowe – 7 – Another solid display from Bowe, who proved his worth as an intelligent footballer despite not getting his hands on the ball quite as much as he would have liked.
Jonathan Davies – 8 – A class display from the outside centre.  Helped set up a try and kicked well throughout, completing a very impressive tour for the Welshman.
Jamie Roberts – 7 – Quietly effective from the big man.  He didn’t make too many yards but he straightened the line when required and then hit a dream line off a set move that put the cherry on top of the cake for the tourists.
George North – 7 – Was well shackled on the whole but one big hit on Folau ensured he finished that battle on top and then finished well for the Lions’ third try.
Jonathan Sexton – 8 – Probably the Lions’ unsung hero in the backline.  Was calm and authoritative throughout the game and deserved his try after a good support line.
Mike Phillips – 6 – Didn’t have the best of games but got the job done.  His service was better this time and he didn’t get caught around the fringes as much, but his box kicking was still very poor.
Alex Corbisiero – 10 – An unbelievable performance.  You cannot ask for anything more from a prop.  He made his fair share of tackles, carried hard, scored a try and earned the Lions 12 points with penalties.  Showed England what they are missing.  Man of the Match.
Richard Hibbard – 7 – The lineout was pretty solid on the whole and, although he wasn’t as prominent as usual in the loose, he was part of a destructive front row effort.
Adam Jones – 8 – Dominated his side of the scrum and that was critical for the Lions, but he didn’t show up around the park anywhere near as much as his fellow prop.
Alun-Wyn Jones – 9 – Relentlessly physical and inspirational performance from the stand in skipper.  Led a fired up pack and never took a backwards step.  Hit hard throughout.
Geoff Parling – 8 –The Aussies will know who he is now.  Incredible workrate and the definition of the word ‘graft’, but one superb tap tackle on Mogg finally earned him some deserved spotlight. 
Dan Lydiate – 7 – Defensively massive once again.  I’d still like to see him be more effective with the ball in hand but when you win penalties by chopping players down, it’s a minor criticism.
Sean O’Brien – 8 – Phenomenal workrate that was only let down by one defensive lapse in the closing stages of the first half.  Carried with real purpose and showed skill and poise over the ball as well.
Toby Faletau – 8 – Has really kicked on in the latter half of the tour.  His work rate was sensational once again and how he tops the carrying and tackling charts simultaneously is seriously impressive.

Subs used:

Tom Youngs – 7 – The scrum did not loose any power with his introduction and his energetic carries helped the Lions kick on when the Wallabies were closing in.

Mako Vunipola – 6 – The game was won by the time he was introduced but carried with typical energy when he did get onto the field.
Dan Cole – 7 – Destructive in the scrum upon his introduction and will be pleased he finished the Tour on a positive after the criticism he received in the First Test.
Richie Gray – 6 – Finally a Scotsman got onto the field and he made himself busy in defence when he came on.
Justin Tipuric – 7 – Provided energy at the breakdown and snaffled himself a turnover in the short time he was on the pitch.
Conor Murray – 6 – Maintained the team’s fluency with some crisp service which was made easier by the dominant pack in front of him.
Owen Farrell – 7 – Has grown in stature during the Tour and maintained his attacking mentality with some smart kicks and smooth passes upon his introduction.
Manu Tuilagi – No time to have an impact.

Third Test Preview - Australia v British & Irish Lions

Blood, sweat and tears.  The rugby mantra.  The ingredients that make our sport the best in the world to watch, comment on and, most of all, play.  This Test series has all three in abundance – blood, in the form of the physical batterings the players have withstood to take to the pitch for the final test; sweat, because, well, they are trying hard; and tears, as the blubbing James Horwill will testify after a glorious Second Test victory for the Wallabies in Melbourne.  Those unlectured in the glory of rugby and the significance of a Lions tour may treat the sight of a 6 foot 6 man blubbing uncontrollably like a teenage Justin Bieber fan with a certain form of contempt but, for the rest of us, it is just another marker of how defining these games are to the careers and even the lives of the players involved.  And that’s not to mention the fans too.

I’ve been smug enough to be in Sydney over the last 4 days (hence the lack of blog posts – apologies), and there is a very definite sense that something special is happening.  The sense that the Third Test will be a game of unparalleled drama and importance to all of those involved in the game.  Perhaps one of the most striking things, to me at least though, is how much this means to the locals over here.  As an Englishman, I know what the Lions mean, as does anyone involved in rugby in the British and Irish Islands, but the Aussie fans know what it means to beat them.  For players in Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland, the chance to play the for the Lions may come around 3, or even 4 times in your career; for the Wallabies, the chance to play the Lions comes around once in a rugby-playing lifespan (unless you are George Smith, of course), so this series means just as much to the men in green and gold as it does to those wearing red.  And with all that passion comes opinion – and I haven’t heard one positive remark about the Lions’ team selection for this Saturday.

I have to admit, I admire Warren Gatland in a way.  To remove Brian O’Driscoll from a side in possibly the biggest game of your career is one hell of a coaching decision – unfortunately, nobody seems to think it will pay off.  Every Australian I’ve spoken to has displayed reaction somewhere between shock and amusement that the Irish legend has been dropped, and most seem to think that it will hand them a Series win – plenty of Lions supporters seem to feel the same way, too.  My view?  I think it is a mistake, but I can see why he has done it.  The Lions were as limp as a wet flannel when it came to threatening the line in Melbourne, and the introduction of Roberts would help the tourists certainly break that gain line.  But the problem is that Roberts has looked average at best since 2009, whilst Manu Tuilagi has generally been more effective as a power runner since his introduction to international rugby; but even saying that, O’Driscoll did not deserve to be dropped – Davies made the defensive error by stepping in for the key score in the Second Test, and it’s hard to see why he remains, despite being in very decent nick otherwise this tour.   Roberts will have to physically dominate James O’Connor and Chrisian Lealiifano if the tourists are to succeed.

But to me, this isn’t the biggest call.  In order to win, the Lions will require speed and power in their pack and Tom Youngs has been just about the Lions’ best carrier over the last two games, not to mention one of the top tacklers.  Sure, the lineout hasn’t been perfect, but he still has the best record out of all the other hookers and he is another that the Aussie fans are shocked at being dropped.  In terms of the other changes, O’Brien and Faletau will hopefully be the right calls and complement Lydiate well in a powerful backrow, but it is hard not to feel sorry for Tom Croft, Alex Cuthbert, Jamie Heaslip and Ben Youngs, who have all been dropped completely without necessarily doing anything wrong in the Test Matches.  Indeed, having Conor Murray – the Irish replica of Mike Phillips – on the bench, seems to be a very limiting decision if the game plan does need to be changed.

The Wallabies, though, will not care one jot about this.  The important thing for them is that they build on this momentum that has been built since their win in Melbourne.  Whereas the Lions made 5 changes to a winning side, the Wallabies have made just one, with George Smith replacing the talented Michael Hooper at openside flanker.  Although not a decision of O’Driscoll-esque importance, the call is a harsh one on the young Waratah – although, again, I can see why it has been made.  Smith is a master forager with every trick in the book up his sleeve, he will be going out there to chop down Roberts and he will know more than anyone how to deal with the pressure-cooker atmosphere that will be built up in the Stadium come 8pm tomorrow in Sydney.  Exactly what the Lions will be missing without O’Driscoll.

But team selections will count for nothing tomorrow evening.  It will instead be rugby at its most basic; at its most beautiful.  Blood, sweat and tears.  Expect plenty of all 3 tomorrow.

Wallabies Team News

Smith returns to the Wallabies' line-up at the expense of Michael Hooper in the only change to the side that started in Melbourne last week. Hooper drops to the bench with Liam Gill making way on a bench that reverts to a six-forward, two-back split. Western Force loose forward Ben McCalman is drafted in with Rob Horne the unlucky back to make way with Nick Phipps and uncapped fullback Jesse Mogg providing the run on options.

Starting Line up:  Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels), Israel Folau (NSW), Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW), Christian Leali'ifano (ACT Brumbies), Joe Tomane (Brumbies), James O'Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Will Genia (Reds); Benn Robinson (NSW), Stephen Moore (ACT), Ben Alexander (ACT), James Horwill (Reds - capt), Kane Douglas (NSW), Ben Mowen (ACT), George Smith (Brumbies), Wycliff Palu (NSW).

Subs: Saia Fainga'a (Reds), James Slipper (Reds), Sekope Kepu (NSW), Rob Simmons (Reds), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Michael Hooper (NSW), Nick Phipps (Rebels), Jesse Mogg (Brumbies).

Key Player

George Smith.  It’s a huge call from Robbie Deans to call up the veteran flanker after so long out with a knee injury – but it’s a sign of the ability of the Brumbies man that there was no hesitation in dropping the excellent Michael Hooper to make way for him.  In a game that is sure to provide more than its fair share of physical confrontation, the openside will be key to the Wallabies’ hopes of dismantling the inevitable waves of big runners that will be sent their way.  Smith still retains that uncanny ability to get over the ball and cause havoc for an attacking team and if he is able to slow the ball down enough, then it doesn’t matter how big the runners are out wide.  The Wallabies will be waiting.

Lions Team News

The Lions have opted to make six changes and one pivotal switch following last weekend's defeat in Melbourne with the headline-grabbing omission of veteran centre Brian O'Driscoll. Jonathan Davies is preferred at No.13 with Jamie Roberts filling the void at inside centre, while scrum-half Mike Phillips returns instead of England's Ben Youngs, who like O'Driscoll does not even make the bench. A fit-again Alex Corbisiero will pack down at loose-head instead of Mako Vunipola, hooker Richard Hibbard gets the nod over Tom Youngs, Sean O'Brien replaces injured skipper Sam Warburton and Toby Faletau is preferred at No.8 to Jamie Heaslip in a side that will be led by lock Alun-Wyn Jones. Starting Line up:  Leigh Halfpenny (Wales); Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Jamie Roberts (Wales), George North (Wales); Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales); Alex Corbisiero (England), Richard Hibbard (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Alun Wyn Jones (captain, Wales), Geoff Parling (England), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Toby Faletau (Wales).

Subs: Tom Youngs (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Dan Cole (England), Richie Gray (Scotland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Conor Murray (Ireland), Owen Farrell (England), Manu Tuilagi (England).

 

Key Player

Jamie Roberts.  The doctor is in session and if there was a time to put in a clinical performance, this is it.  The Lions lacked penetration and punch in the pack and in the backline last Saturday and Roberts has been brought in to get that front foot ball and work the openings for others.  The problem?  He’s looked pretty ordinary for quite a while for Wales and was conspicuous by the amount of times he turned the ball over in his last couple of outings for the Lions.  In my book, he is lucky to get a spot ahead of Manu Tuilagi – who beat twice as many players in half as many games during the Six Nations – and he has to justify his selection by putting in a South Africa-esque Test display that has the Wallabies rocking backwards.  The only way the Lions will win this game is if they physically dominate the hosts in the contact area – if Roberts fails at this, the whole game plan goes to pot.

Key Battle

Israel Folau v George North.  Sure, this is the war between the 2 pretty boys of the teams – the finishers; the show ponies – but in a game where small advantages matter, the battle between the 2 wingers will be absolutely critical.  The result is just about even at the moment, with both wingers proving to be unfairly superior physical specimens of men in displays of sheer power and athleticism.  Folau is a sensational athlete and needs the ball in space, and if he receives this he has to be ready to take advantage of the tiniest gaps made available to him – because there won’t be many.  North, on the other hand, has a proven track record of exploiting space for Wales, but he has to work harder in my opinion – with Bowe on the other wing, he has to come late off Sexton’s shoulder in the middle more often to pierce holes off first phase ball and get the opposition in retreat.  In a game of attrition, the two blokes with the X Factor may just hold the key to unlocking this game.

Prediction

This is it.  It is for moments like this that these blokes play the game; it is moments like this that define careers and create history.  The momentum is with the Wallabies.  Their magnificent captain from the second test, James Horwill, has been cleared to play and you cannot underestimate how important that call is.  The Lions lost the second test because they were unable to achieve front foot ball – and Gatland has picked a side that will attempt to achieve that by brute force.  The problem is that the Wallabies know how to handle that – they have dealt with the All Blacks, the Springboks and, far more importantly, the Welsh before, and the power game alone will not defeat this Australian side.  The hosts may not be the biggest, but they are very intelligent and unless the tourists can vary their game, the Lions will struggle.  Sydney’s talk has been one of shock at some of the omissions from the visitors’ side, and I can see some of these being key to the result tomorrow.  Wallabies by 3.