Rain is forecast for Friday, tapering to showers on Saturday, but let’s say Suncorp will still be relatively fast.
Before the Lions arrived here, I thought there was no question that a fast surface would benefit the Wallabies more than the Lions.
But now I’m not so sure. Many rugby fans were surprised to see Gatland’s troops sling the ball wide from the very first game and continue the tactic in subsequent matches. So we know Gatland’s strategy – he had to reveal it in order to arrive at a Test 23.
Robbie Deans has chosen a very speedy backline, perhaps a full step faster than Halfpenny, Cuthbert, North, Brian O’Driscoll, Davies, Sexton and Phillips. But apart from Hooper, the pack is not full of greyhounds.
Horwill, five years younger than Paul O’Connell, is more mobile than the Irishman but, in my opinion, Wyn Jones gets up better momentum than Douglas does. Heaslip can beat Palu over the hurdles, Youngs is more nimble than Moore, and Croft is way faster than Mowen.
We all figured the Lions would be hard, strong and tough. And they are.
But we never thought they’d also have speed. Could it be we no longer have the advantage we thought we’d have?
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.
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