Key events
Oooh, I said I wouldn’t take any more emails before kick off but Stuart Mackenzie makes a point worth emphasising:
Given all the downbeat assessments of the future of Australian rugby, worth noting that the Australian U-20s put nearly 70 points on their English equivalents at the weekend. The talent is still there, hopefully some of those guys will be breaking through in time for the World Cup in 2 years.
How great is it having Kurtley Beale take centre stage again?
The 36-year-old is such a baller. No other word for it. And who knows. Tear it up tonight and we might see him in gold.
Here’s what he had to say in the build up:
There’s a huge responsibility [for us], especially for growing participation at a lower level, the grass roots. Tonight will be a great opportunity, to give the young kids something to aspire to.
Absolutely [here to prove Test credentials. There are a lot of guys who are on the fringes at the moment but we have had a great week of prep. We’re excited.
The last email before kick-off goes to Shane Comer:
Hi Daniel,
Owen Farrell was right about the poison emanating from certain parts of the Lions “fan base”, social media in particular.
Can we stop wearing green/white/red/navy glasses?
Can we stop being snipers on the ditch for certain players’ every movement.
Can we stop bashing Australia, it’s not the wallabies players’ fault that the game is so badly mismanaged.
Can we actually do what Lions tours do: give a unique opportunity in world sport for 4 rivals to cheer on one team. Let’s shut up and cheer on, in my view, the most exciting, legendary and special jersey in rugby.
“Future of rugby in Aus won’t be helped by dripping condescension”
That is the impressive title of an email sent in by David Britton:
Northern hemisphere takes on this series speak to the inevitable decline of the game outside the UK, and frankly within it. If you look at the feeder schools for union in Australia, a large and meaningful majority of those players are excelling in league, or choosing to play AFL in southern states.
The idea that ‘this vintage is poor’ obscures the ‘posh boy’ sport that rugby has become in Australia which will continue to see it decline. To be frank, that dynamic is also playing out in the UK but without as many competitors for the more robustly built.
Any superiority complex should also be accompanied with a strong recognition that it is a scenario of ‘but for the grace of God goes your own unions’.
Whatever the reason it is clear that the Aussies aren’t what they used to be. I’d disagree that it’s condescending to point that out.
Your points on class are well made though. As a union fan I hope that they can turn things around and put up a competitive team in 12 years.
Can we have our cake and eat it?
William M Gilmore plots a path forward:
Never let it will be said that the powers that be won’t add more dates to player calendar.
In that spirit …Maybe instead of warming up against Argentina, there are four matches in France two Wednesday two Saturday tests against France. Then off they toddle to SA, NZ or AUS.
Harry Shawyer from Munich has written in:
Hi Daniel. For me, the Lions tours to Australia are the least compelling of the three. Put simply, Australia aren’t as good as the All Blacks and aren’t as disliked as the Springboks. (I don’t mean this disrespectfully – I’m sure you’re more than aware of the healthy animosity between SA and Northern Hemisphere sides.) So because of this, the series vs Australia lacks jeopardy.
The real benefits are: The Lions have a great chance of winning – if not for Australia, they wouldn’t have won a series since 1997 – and it’s undoubtedly a beautiful country to tour for players and fans alike.
I suspect the series in 12 years’ time will look very different, if it happens at all. A test match against a combined Fiji/Samoa/Tonga XV would probably present a tougher test than the Wallabies…
Hmmm, hard to disagree. It really is such a shame that the Wallabies aren’t what they used to be. As a Saffa I used to love to hate them when I was a youngster.
How good would it be if they manage to turn things around and win this Saturday? I’m sure even some Lions supporters will be hoping for a comeback.
More reading for you.
This one from Andy Bull in Ballymena is well worth your time:
Sione Tuipulotu is a little self critical here:
Jo Nestor, from Leitrim, deep in the Irish Midlands, agrees “100%” with Liam Crowley’s comment.
That encouraged us to look at the positives of a potential whitewash down under.
Besides, what did we expect?
As ‘The Black Count’ (mysterious) points out, “I reckon this Lions side would give the Wallabies a good run for their money. The difference in player pool is chalk and cheese.”
A couple of interviews for your perusal.
Owen Farrell has opened the door for an England return:
Jamie George is just buzzing to be with the group:
We’ve got a few early responses.
Here’s Liam Crowley:
I have to say, it’s getting quite boring reading the negative takes on this series.
I was in Dublin for the kick off game. There were no existential questions in the air that night. There was a sea of red shirts from all over Britain, walking down the river chatting to strangers and friends with massive excitement.
Since then the Lions have gone undefeated and did a thoroughly professional job, after being nothing short of World Class in the first half. I’m not sure what people want, it’s not the Lions job to make Australia look any better than they are.
And here’s Joe James:
Australia absolutely deserve to keep their spot on the Lions itinerary, however you’re right that this is a poor vintage.
Union is suffering in Australia in popularity and it doesn’t look like changing any time soon.
If only they’d given games to the Pacific Nations, that would have brought real competitiveness.
Europe has caught up the Southern Hemisphere in recent years, maybe the solution would be Lions vs Southern Hemisphere all stars?
Breakdown newsletter
Well, let’s get into it then.
Should the Lions be visiting France in 12 years rather than Australia?
Once an unthinkable question, it’s now worth considering.
Gerard Meagher wonders out loud what that might look like and whether or not its a good idea.
The comments below the line are divided. Where do you stand on this?
Team news
Owen Farrell starts and captains from midfield. That’s the headline. But there’s intrigue elsewhere as a couple of Lions with eyes on a possible Test cap have an opportunity to impress.
Blair Kinghorn was on track to start the first Test at fullback until a knee injury in the warmups cut him down. He’ll have fellow Scots Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham alongisde him in the back three.
Fin Smith will run the show at fly-half while Jac Morgan, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock form a formidable looking back row.
British and Irish Lions: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Jamie George, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 James Ryan, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Jac Morgan 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Henry Pollock.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Gregor Brown, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Another veteran skippers the First Nations & Pasifika XV as Kurtley Beale gets another shot at the Lions 12 years on.
Beale, one of the most exciting and creative players at his peak, slipped in the first Test in 2013 and will be fizzing to make his mark this evening.
There’s no Pete Samu (more on that in a bit) but there are 10 internationals with nine Wallabies and one Flying Fijian.
First Nations & Pasifika XV: 15 Andy Muirhead (First Nations), 14 Triston Reilly (First Nations), 13 Lalakai Foketi (Maori & Tonga), 12 David Feliuai (Samoa), 11 Filipo Daugunu (Fiji), 10 Kurtley Beale (First Nations), 9 Kalani Thomas (Maori); 1 Lington Ieli (Fiji), 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa & Maori) 3 Taniela Tupou (Tonga), 4 Darcy Swain (Samoa), 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa), 6 Seru Uru (Fiji), 7 Charlie Gamble (Tonga), 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa).
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata (Samoa), 17 Marley Pearce (Maori & First Nations), 18 Mesake Doge (Fiji), 19 Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji), 20 Rob Leota (Samoa), 21 Harrison Goddard (First Nations), 22 Jack Debreczeni (Cook Islands), 23 Jarrah McLeod (First Nations).
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
On we go, one last time in midweek, one last opportunity for some fringe players to don the famous red jumper, one last chance for some on the edge of the Test team to show what they’re about.
My job is to hype this up. Normally that would be a pretty easy gig but – I really do hate to say it – this tour hasn’t quite lived up to the billing.
The Lions were uninspiring but good enough throughout the warm-up matches before cruising to a comfortable win in the first Test. There’s talk of a clean sweep down under and frankly, from what we’ve seen so far, anything else would constitute a failure.
There are existential questions floating in the air. Should Australia be granted another Lions tour in 12 years’ time? Is this touring side still relevant in a cutthroat, hyper professional age? Is winning matches more important than hearts and minds? Perhaps you’d like to write in and share some thoughts of your own.
We’ll have to chew gum and walk at the same time because the midweek dirt-trackers have a game on their hands.
They’re up against the First Nations & Pasifika XV, a team of Fijians, Tongans, Samoans, Maoris and First Nations ballers. They’ll be physical, they’ll be fast and they’ll be dangerous on the ball.
If nothing else this should be an entertaining game of footy. Amidst all the angst and uncertainty and melodrama, 80 minutes of fun will be just what the doctor ordered.
Kick-off at 11 am UK time/8 pm in Melbourne.
Teams and updates to come.
As mentioned above, I’d love to hear from you. I read every email so please do send in your thoughts.
