There has been much speculation, conjecture, disappointment and controversy over the initial squad selected by Wallaby coach Robbie Deans for the much anticipated series against the formidable British and Irish Lions series that gets underway on 5 June 2013 in Perth.
Much of that speculation and conjecture has been on the non selection thus far of Queensland player maker Quade Cooper and the still vacant reserve halfback role. One thing is for sure these positions are key to both sides chances of a series win.
Whilst the Wallaby selectors must put on their thinking caps; stroke the chin; run the fingers through the hair; let out a sigh of confusion and actually come up with a decision, and soon, their opponents have already selected their halves but not their combination.
This too may be an area of concern for the Lions if they do not get it right, however I am confident they will.
Whilst messes Sexton, Farrell, Phillips, Youngs and Murray are all assured of touring unless one of them secretly suffers from Tourrett’s Syndrome and decides to abuse an official prior to getting to Heathrow, Warren Gatland will have to determine what exactly is his best 9,10 combination to defeat Australia.
The wise money appears to be on a Mike Phillips/Jonny Sexton combination. Former Welsh international and British Lion Scott Quinnell was recently quoted in the UK Telegraph “…Sexton is paramount but it’s the half-back partnership that could be so special. Mike Phillips, to me, is world-class but has to be fit.”
There is no doubting each player’s attributes; Phillips is strong, abrasive and has a well balanced running and kicking game.
Sexton is a fine player but let’s not get carried away just yet. Ollie Campbell he is not. However given the right amount of front foot ball he can orchestrate a back line to cause damage as the Wallabies will all too well remember in Auckland 2011.
With respect to Owen Farrell, Sexton appears to be the man according to former Irish Prop Paul Wallace who also quoted in the UK Telegraph, “Jonny Sexton is probably the most important Lions player on this tour…”
The fact remains however Sexton the Irishman and Phillips the Welshman have never played a test match together and simply have no combination. If they are selected as a pair it will be on class not combination.
This is an interesting fact when considering British Lions Legend and likeable Scotsman Ian McGeechan was also quoted in the UK Telegraph stating “The reason Cooper (Quade) is so important is that Will Genia says Quade brings out the best in him. That Genia-Cooper axis is critical, their back row too.”
I find myself in accord with the Scotsman yet McGeechan has not applied that same logic to the Phillips/Sexton situation which may actually be a weakness the Wallabies could exploit if in fact it is that pair that face off against the Australians in Brisbane on June 22 and they can’t get their combination right.
Further consideration must also be given to the number 8 selection as the back row must be able to work in concert with the half back. For me Irishman Jamie Heaslip is the obvious choice. In considering Heaslip and Sexton, the natural choice at half back would be fellow Irishman Connor Murray.
Applying that same McGeechan logic to the Wallaby situation it would appear a Scott Higginbotham, Will Genia and Quade Cooper combination could well serve the Wallabies, however given Coach Deans non selection of Cooper and likeliness of selecting the incumbent Cliff Palu to lock the scrum, it appears the Wallabies will go into the first test with an untried combination of Palu, Genia and O’Connor.
Clearly this is an area that the British Lions should exploit and also have the ability to select a proven combination to avoid the same happening to them.
It will be combination that is key to either side winning this series; familiarity that you don’t get just by being in camp and having a few beers with during a ‘getting to know you’ evening.
Whilst bonding is essential it is experience, instinct in knowing how your team mate actually plays the game that might be that 1 per cent that wins the day.
At this stage it appears the Lions have got better options in the halves area than the Wallabies but there are still a few keys left to hand out to camp Wallaby. Time will tell.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
So the dust has settled on the inaugural United Rugby Championship tournament, with the Stormers celebrating a deserved first championship win over the Bulls…
South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard insists his side will be ready for the British & Irish Lions Test series, which starts on Saturday, despite…
It’s right to question South Africa’s (and Argentina’s) involvement in Super Rugby. But let’s remember: they contribute more than Australia. The rainbow nation has…
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland wants his team to play a warm-up match against the All Blacks before their tour of South…
The British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in July 2021 will not be shifted despite a direct overlap with the new dates…
Queensland fought back to briefly lead the Lions, despite being down two men, before losing their Super Rugby clash 27-20 in Johannesburg. Down two…
