Australia v British & Irish Lions - teams and prediction
FIRST TEST PREVIEW: The British and Irish Lions head into the opener against Australia as clear favourites – and with good reason.
The B&I Lions suffered a defeat to Argentina in Dublin but bounced back in incredible form, sweeping aside the Western Force, Queensland Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, and an AUNZ Invitational XV since arriving in Australia.
The warm-up matches have given the B&I Lions’ management loads of insight and clarity regarding the make-up of their squad ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Australia in Brisbane.
For Australia, this is a match that could ignite their journey back to being a force in rugby once again.
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In the last few years, the Wallabies have experienced a horrid period. After a disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign, they followed it up with a shocking Rugby Championship, concluding the tournament at the bottom of the table.
Head coach Joe Schmidt has managed to put his stamp on the team, and the Wallabies impressed during the November internationals, recording wins over England and Wales, while pushing Ireland really close.
Unlike the visitors, the Wallabies only played one warm-up match a couple of weeks ago, beating Fiji 21-18.
This would certainly be a concern for Schmidt, who also has a few selection headaches due to injuries.
The former Ireland head coach made a bold call by handing Tom Lynagh the flyhalf spot.
The 22-year-old Lynagh boasts just three appearances off the bench for Australia.
The Queensland Reds playmaker will wear the Wallabies’ No.10 jersey for the first time on Saturday.
Schmidt revealed that twice last year, niggling injuries had thwarted attempts to start the son of World Cup-winning flyhalf Michael Lynagh.
The selection is a historic one, with the Lynaghs set to become the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions.
Michael pulled the strings in 1989 and won a World Cup in a decorated 72-Test career that included 15 as captain.
Schmidt also made a bold call in the back row. With flanker Rob Valetini set to miss the Test due to injury, debutant Nick Champion de Crespigny will partner with captain Harry Wilson.
Skipper Wilson conceded that the loss of the dynamic flanker Valetini was a huge blow, but is confident debutant Champion de Crespigny will do the job as his replacement.
“The whole forward pack will have to step up because when you lose a player like him, it’s not ideal,” said Wilson.
“But Nick has trained the house down. He’s a big, physical man, and he wants to impose himself on the opposition.”
The back row battle is shaping up to be a key area of the game at a sold-out Lang Park on Saturday, particularly after the way the NSW Waratahs and Brumbies disrupted the Lions’ ball in their respective tour matches.
The Wallabies have chosen Wilson at No.8, alongside Queensland Reds teammate Fraser McReight at openside and Champion de Crespigny at blindside flanker.
The Lions opted for Irish duo Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan, with England’s Tom Curry in the number seven shirt.
“The Lions have gone with a few different combinations; they’ve all been playing well,” said Wilson.
“I’m really excited for the back row battle; it’s a big test for us.”
Wilson said he was almost pinching himself at the thought of leading the Wallabies in a Test against the Lions.
“Playing the British and Irish Lions – it doesn’t get much bigger in Australian sport,” he said.
“We’re very confident. We’ve had a really good week and done all the preparation that we wanted to do. I feel like we’re in a really good place.
“As a young footballer, these are the situations you want to be in — the British and Irish Lions on your home track,” he added.
“I just can’t wait to begin.”
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Players to Watch:
For Australia: Nick Champion de Crespigny has been thrust into a shock debut against the British & Irish Lions. The flanker, one of just two uncapped players in the 36-strong squad, surged into contention after injuries to pivotal back-rower Rob Valetini and the in-form Langi Gleeson. Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson complete the loose forward trio. Tom Lynagh at flyhalf. The experienced Len Ikitau and 21-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will combine in the Wallabies’ midfield for the fifth time, while Tom Wright has been named at fullback for the 14th time in the Wallabies’ last 15 Test matches.
For B&I Lions: Saracens and England captain Maro Itoje will lead the side and is partnered at lock by Leinster and Ireland second-rower Joe McCarthy. In the front row, Bristol Bears and England’s Ellis Genge teams up with Leinster and Ireland pair Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. The halfback combination of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell is extremely experienced. The Glasgow Warriors and Scotland midfield pair of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones line out in the centres.
Prediction
@rugby365com: B&I Lions by 15 points.
Teams:
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway
British and Irish Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Joe McCarthy, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Bundee Aki
Date: Saturday, July 19
Venue: Lang Park, Brisbane
Kick-off: 20.00 (11.00 BTS; 10.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Mostly clear, with a high of 21°C and a low of 10°C.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) & Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Additional sources: AAP & AFP
