The sides have been named, and the excitement levels are growing. After 12 years of waiting, and three weeks of pre-tour warm-ups and debate, in many respects it’s hard to believe the first Test is nearly here.
The Lions’ quest for an unbeaten tour fell in a rather chilly, hailstone-surrounded heap on Tuesday night in Canberra, where the Brumbies became the first Australian provincial side to beat the British and Irish Lions since Queensland toppled the tourists in 1971.
So many young Brumbies etched their name into history during that win, and it wouldn’t at all surprise to see some of them feature later in the series. Indeed, many of you have suggested already that lock-cum-flanker-cum-number 8 Peter Kimlin should consider himself unlucky not to be donning gold in Brisbane.
It was interesting to see the impact the Lions’ bench had on Tuesday night, and five of those (Hibbard, Cole, Parling, Lydiate, and Farrell) that came off the pine for the Lions against the Brumbies will play the same role for the first Test. A sixth, prop Alex Corbisiero, has been promoted to the starting XV, and will give Wallaby tighthead Ben Alexander a torrid time all night.
The teams line up this way for Brisbane:
Australia: Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, James Horwill (c), Kane Douglas, Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu, Will Genia, James O’Connor, Digby Ioane, Christian Lealiifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau, Berrick Barnes.
Reserves: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe.
British and Irish Lions: Alex Corbisiero, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O’Connell, Tom Croft, Sam Warburton (capt), Jamie Heaslip, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Sexton, George North, Jonathan Davies, Brian O’Driscoll, Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny.
Reserves: Richard Hibbard, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Sean Maitland.
Anyway, it’s time for a good old Q & A session and debate, and so let’s crack on for 90 minutes this morning from 10:30am. Start shooting your questions through now though, and once the mid-morning coffee has kicked in, I’ll start working my way through.
Here are some starting points for you:
• What lessons has Robbie Deans taken from the Reds, Waratahs, and Brumbies?
• Is the Lions’ apparent set-piece advantage really less pronounced than it feels?
• Is Sean O’Brien the unluckiest Irishman in Australia currently?
• Is the Lions’ injury-hit and reshuffled three-quarter line an area for the Wallabies to attack?
• Which side has the better-looking bench? And…
• Has the champagne stopped flowing in Canberra yet?
Looking forward to the discussion from 10.30am AEST.
MattO
Guest
John - this is a test match. I reckon all 1st half gettable penalties should be attempted.
Chivas
Guest
Agree I find it hard to believe too... Mowen is the same size as Jonah... really? He doesn't look it, he's not carrying it in his legs. I don't personally believe it. He looks llke he'd be 100 at a stretch. As I say when I have been watching he doesn't strike me as having brute power, so if he's carrying 114 kg he must have monstrous arms and powerful in rucks and mauls, but he didn't look that dominant to me... Anyway it's rather a nothing topic. Unless I see the scales I don't believe any weights or heights posted here.
Josh M
Guest
Would this be the strongest (or one of) Wallaby team Deans has been able to put on the field in recent years? It would wallop some of the combinations that were injury and talent challenged early in his tenure.
Josh M
Guest
I can only think of one fly half who has a penchant for overplaying his hand and he'll probably be on the couch having a beer.
Josh M
Guest
That's why it's such a cleverly selected team. I reckon JOC will have a cracker.
Josh M
Guest
Exactly.
Parisien
Guest
I'm not sure if it was intentional Brett, but "Blueball, at least not for more than a one-off play" has to be one of the best lines I've read on the Roar.
Positive Rugby
Guest
I would like to see a weigh in in the flesh to check that and several other claimed weights. As the saying used to go 'ages are down, weights are up". 114kg, really?
Positive Rugby
Guest
You are correct, Mowen, Gill and Hooper are all underdeveloped physically for test rugby at the highest level. They are more like big boys than men. Compare them to their opponents in the ABs or Lions and you will clearly see the difference. This is not a put down but a real opinion - as physical specimens they all kill me. They (maybe not Mowen with his skinny little legs and being older) may be able to develope further in the future but are not there yet. I played against bigger, more developed guys in club rugby. I hope I am eating these words tonight and will be happy to admit boys can play against men if it comes true.
Positive Rugby
Guest
Its not my picture, its what everyone sees when the little man/boy runs.
John
Guest
Hi Brett, a couple of questions for you. Suppose five minutes in and the score is nil all, the Wallabies get a penalty 40 out and 15 in from touch. D they go for touch or a lineout? Suppose fifteen minutes in and the score is even, the Wallabies have a scrum feed 15 out and 15 in from touch then get awarded a penalty. Do they go for touch, kick a penalty, or reset the scrum?
Reginald Munday
Guest
Combinations??! Don't be silly. That'll never happen under Deans. This team is yet another example of Deans picking 15+ blokes and saying Hail Mary. Inside back, centre and back row combinations are very difficult to maintain when selections ae based upon "potential", "reputation" or narrow requirements (see Pat McCabe). I said elsewhere that this is about Deans's 10th 12-13 combination since 2007 and about the 15th 10-12-13 combination. I could be wrong but only through underestimation. The lack of combinations developed thus far in Deans's tenure is attributable to one person: Robbie Deans.
Gali
Guest
I know a lot of people doubt KB's selection. But me personally believe he will give Australia a boost in attack when he comes off the bench not only that you have PM who is tough and will strengthen the wallabies defence . This Wallabies side is a threat even though its not a full strength team with PC and Higgs out. Wallabies if they start to get a roll on will win hands down. I just hope R.Deans makes a wise decision when to play KB and PM GO THE WALLABIES!!
Reginald Munday
Guest
He's not from NSW Get with the program
Worlds biggest
Guest
One area I didn't notice in the discussion was discipline being the key for the Wallabies. We must be controlled and disciplined particularly in our own half or it is 3 points. 1/2 P, Sexton and Farrell don't miss. Hope the weather fines up and we get a dry track. The Wallabies really need to step up.
IronAwe
Guest
I think it's good for forwards to get some NH experience, in fact, I wish more would do a stint there, as long as they come back of course...
bennalong
Guest
I think it's kind of pointless given that there hasn't been a better team in two seasons and Deans is constantly criticised for going with encumbents. We'll go into the Bledisloe having had a better hitup than the AB's!
bennalong
Guest
Nothing elegant there at all RK You're only interested in picking fights
Rob G
Guest
Sorry mate. That's a fair comment. I would have liked MMM in. I've never been impressed with Simmons but I can understand his selection in case we can't get a single ball at line out time.
Dmac
Guest
France is going to kill Australian rugby. Too many players leaving, we don't have the depth.