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For the past couple of months, this forum has echoed with extravagant claims of the Wallabies’ worth.
Certain Roarers have even predicted that we’ll skunk the Lions 3-0 insisting that they’re a substandard squad of no-hopers.
But now that last weekend’s injuries have added to our disabled list, some of these boosters are grudgingly giving the Lions one of the Tests but still talking up a Wallaby series win.
I think they’re dead wrong. I fear that in Brisbane, even on a hard, fast track, our assumed superiority in the backs won’t be enough to overcome an almost certain inferiority in the forwards.
I believe the Lions will win this Test, so we’ll be one down. And I don’t see us coming from behind to take the second Test.
It’s true the Wallabies, after an initial defeat in 2001, turned the series around, but we had a hell of a team back then – names like Latham, Larkham, Herbert, Roff, Gregan, Flatley, Burke, Kefu, Smith, Finegan, Eales, Foley, Cockbain, Darwin.
And we also had a fine coach in Rod McQueen. There was no argument over who’d play 6 or 15, no squabbling or personal vendettas in the quest for a suitable playmaker. Nor were there any worries that our scrum would be shunted backwards.
However, when I voice these concerns in a rugby pub, there’s always somebody who accuses me of being unpatriotic, even when I tell them that I’ll be at Suncorp wearing a gold jersey and shouting my head off for the Wallabies.
The idea of letting reason triumph over emotion is something that makes them furrow their brows and mumble darkly into their VB.
In their eyes, any Aussie who believes that our reduced team won’t have enough ammo to defeat Gatland’s 23 is some kind of traitor. Be supportive, they say. I am supportive. I plan to support the Wallabies all the way to the final minute no matter how many points they’re behind.
I’m patriotic. Super patriotic. But I’m also a realist.
Lions 3-0.
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.