To defeat the Lions the Wallabies must unleash their inner mongrel, and that could come in the shape of intimidating forwards Fota Auelua and Hugh McMeniman.
The Lions will undoubtedly try to bully the Wallabies over the three-match Test series, smashing and monstering them around the park using the physical edge that northern hemisphere rugby is known for.
It’s an approach that has worked in recent years against Robbie Deans’ Australian side, for example by Scotland, Samoa and Ireland.
There is a belief in some British quarters that the Wallabies are somewhat soft, and that their pack is far from the toughest going round.
In some respects this is true. The Wallabies have featured a distinct lack of hard nuts in recent times.
The hard-nosed players, the ones who love contact – who seek it and relish it – have been largely absent.
Sure, Tatafu Polota-Nau is willing to throw his body at anyone, but unfortunately too often the Tahs hooker comes off second best and is forced from the field.
The Lions will bring a big, tough squad down under, packed with huge forwards, giant backs and an equally sizeable scrum-half in Mike Phillips.
This will be a Lions selection without a lot of flair or fleet-footed players, missing the magic previously provided by the likes of a Shane Williams or Jason Robinson.
The Wallabies, on the other hand, will have a 22 stacked with playmakers and game-breakers.
Will Genia, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Digby Ioane, Jesse Mogg, Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes and Kurtley Beale all have the ability to rip open a match and decide a game through a pass, run or kick.
That is all well and good, but what they are really missing is some mongrel to meet the Lions fire with fire.
Enter the likes of Brumby backrower Aueleua and Force lock McMeniman.
Auelua has been a standout since joining the Brumbies last year.
The Wellington-born Aussie of Samoan descent, who grew up in western Sydney, has been a joy to watch. He takes on the line and is a handful to tackle.
The former Australian Schoolboy seems to enjoy knocking people down and putting opponents on their arses.
Auelua is not all graft either, as his beautiful draw of two defenders and pass to set up Henry Speight’s try against the Sharks showed.
The 29-year has great ball skills for a big man and mixes his play up well.
McMeniman has been in the Wallabies setup before and knows what it is all about.
The 21-cap veteran has returned to Super Rugby this year and been one of the struggling Force’s best players. His muscular style, strong ball-carrying and robust performances are what a timid Australian side, devoid of quality second rowers apart from James Horwill, needs.
A recent shoulder injury has put the ex-Queensland Red who can also play flanker out of action, but there is enough time for him to re-stake his Lions claim.
Both Aueleua and McMeniman are seasoned veterans at 29 years of age who have experienced overseas footy and returned to Australia refreshed and better players.
Both possess the physical edge and abrasive approach to trouble the Lions. Both won’t be overawed by the occasion of a rare Lions tour.
Robbie Deans must get the playing balance right of imagination and muscle to defeat the ferocity of the Lions, combining some brutality with the beauty.
Adding Aueleua and McMeniman to the mix would go a long way to achieving this.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
DAN THE MAN
Guest
Slipper Moore - Nau Palmer - Robinson Horwill Timani - Douglas McMenimen Smith - hooper Palu -fotu
Pick & go..!!
Guest
'cant believe u guys pick palu. not only does he have glass bones he goes missing for long periods of the game.' Mania which game was that specifically? I see you don't rate Palu for what ever reason, That's fine with me. But to say Auelua should be wallabie 8? Tell me what does Auelua bring that Palu doesn't already bring at test level? You cannot say Auelua brings youth cause at 29 & Palu is 30, you can't say he brings experience cause Palu gets the nod there. So does he bring? Mania there's an old saying (If it ain't broke don't fix it).
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Bakkies rewatch the Waratahs/Chiefs and say Palu is a one-trick pony. Quite the opposite.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
True. True.
Bakkies
Guest
and the player! He refuses to fix his tackling technique despite multiple head knocks of his own doing. Going head first in to tackles is going to effect your concentration and mental capacity particularly at lineout time.
Bakkies
Guest
Auelua a specialist? You mustn't have watched him in Europe when he was playing in the centres and even at 6 for Toulon. Palu is a one trick pony in comparison.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
I blame the coaches. He just hasn't improved over time.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
You're coming across as a rather angry and unpleasant character recently, sixo... You know what they say about rage... In any case, Gatland has stated that he is going to avoid a 10 man game, and historically the Lions tend to play with width. Robbie Deans may not have the same agenda, so the grinding slugfest is likely to be a one way thing.
Ra
Guest
thanks sixo for that clarity - and to add to that, slugfest is not thugfest. its brutal tough solid tight competition where no quarter is asked for or given, but the quality is pretty high because each side knows that winning or losing is just one mistake away. The Wallabies vs England EOYT game last year and RWC 2011 French-All Blacks final are two recent examples of great slugfests in my mind.
jimmyjam
Guest
Looks close to what I would have, except Douglas in for Mowen, with MMM to 6. Mowen bench at best. Are we allowed 2 props on the bench for this series?? Then Alexander, Kepu and TPN with Mowen & Gill . Douglas/Horwill/MMM are all 80 minute players and give us the muscle upfront & Lineout to handle the Lions. Smith covers 6/7/8. Enough versatility in the back 5 to maybe have Auelua as a high impact sub rather than the graft of Mowen. Also assumes that TPN is fit and firing by then, otherwise Hansen. No Qld props thanks, can't scrum and we've been down that path before picking poor scrumming props who have give a bit more round the park. The Lions will be thinking 'doesnt that chap have a high workrate around.the park, glad thay picked him!' as they score their 3rd pushover try with Slipper/Holmes etc in the front row! Also, no Higginbotham thanks, we need rugby players not bludging show ponies to win this series. How that bloke was ever selcted to play for Australia I will never know.
Selector
Guest
Agree jiggles IMO, Hanson has been the form rake in Qld for the past two seasons and is the 2nd best hooker in the country. Plus when he was behind Fiangaa he would always make a strong impact off the bench which is what we need.
Selector
Guest
Agree jiggles IMO, Hanson has been the form rake in Qld for the past two seasons and is the 2nd best hooker in the country. Plus when he was behind Fiangaa he would always make a strong impact off the bench which is what we need.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
That's true Pyle did start the year very well. I thought is last game was average against the kings, but I didn't look at the stats so it's just a hunch. I don't buy the seagull tag for him either. Wasn't sold on Nev last year but he did grab my attention. He's only been in the game about 3 years so the nuisances will come with time.
Rob
Guest
I didn't expect that response. I'm just saying there is a difference between being brought up on the streets of south Auckland or sleeping with a machine gun in South Africa to attending hogwarts on the north shore. When it comes to be a tough rugby forward that is. And that's not even going into how much bigger our selection pool would be if rugby was played in more public schools instead of being 80% private. Being from a private school by no means guarantees softness (eg phil Waugh, pocock)
KT
Guest
Liking this group a lot.
Justin2
Guest
Pyle had a bad SA tour otherwise he has been right up there across, runs, metres, tackles and rucks as any other rebels forward. He has been good IMO outside those two matches. Neville isnt improving at all though. His body height is still rubbish. Main issue with the Rebels is the front row. Not only is the set piece average their work rate is a disgrace.
SkinnyKid
Roar Rookie
Rob - what a sad post.
Justin2
Guest
Considering the make up of our two world cup winning teams it fareking hilarious...
rl
Guest
totally agree re Palu - and with Horwill, Simmons/McMeniman and Mowen/Higgers/Dennis (if you must) as primary targets, and Gill potentially as a secondary target, you don't particularly want/need Palu or Auelua as targets. Better to have those blokes standing in your first five's pocket with a view to run amok.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
TPN is frustrating. He does have exciting aspects to his game, but he completely neglects the basics so I don't really see the point of him.