It wasn’t exactly a dominant performance from the British and Irish Lions, but they did enough to take the early advantage in the three-Test series against Australia, winning the first Test in Brisbane last Saturday 23-21.
For the Wallabies it will remembered as the one that got away, with James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale missing four penalty goals and one conversion out on the field between them.
Beale had two attempts in the last five minutes to recreate his Bloemfontein heroics from a few years ago, but will be remembered only for his slip attempting the last kick of the match.
In reply, Robbie Deans has predictably named a largely unchanged side, save for some forced by injury.
Berrick Barnes and Pat McCabe both finished the first Test on stretchers, and Barnes will miss this Test, while McCabe has been ruled out for the season with a recurrence of his neck injury sufferd in the 2012 Spring Tour.
Digby Ioane has also been ruled out for the rest of the Lions series.
The Lions have made five changes themselves, with flanker Sean O’Brien winning a berth on the bench, countryman Tommy Bowe replacing Alex Cuthbert on the wing and, rather surprisingly, scrumhalf Mike Phillips being dropped from the 23 completely.
Geoff Parling comes into lock for the injured Paul O’Connell, and Mako Vunipola will start at loosehead for the injured Alex Corbisiero.
The teams line-up this way for Melbourne:
Australia: Kurtley Beale; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen; James Horwill (captain), Kane Douglas; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Rob Horne, Jesse Mogg.
British and Irish Lions: Leigh Halfpenny; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, George North; Jonathan Sexton, Ben Youngs; Jamie Heaslip, Sam Warburton (captain) , Dan Lydiate; Geoff Parling, Alun-Wyn Jones; Adam Jones, Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola. Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Ryan Grant, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Sean O’Brien, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Alex Cuthbert.
Last week’s Q and A went really well, so we’ll do it again today over lunch for 90 minutes, from 12:30pm. Start shooting your questions through now though, and I’ll start working my way through them and my sandwich at the same time.
Here are some starting points for you:
• What lessons has Robbie Deans taken from the first Test?
• How big a distraction might the IRB’s decision to appeal James Horwill’s ‘not guilty’ finding, for the alleged stomp on Alun-Wyn Jones in Brisbane?
• Have the Lions panicked with some of their unforced changes?
• How big a loss is Paul O’Connell?
Looking forward to the discussion from 12:30pm AEST.
Riviera
Guest
Simples! Just like with judges the law has to be interpreted.......but the Lions were lucky...think how much they would have lost by if Halfpenny had been knocked out
Kane
Roar Guru
Thanks, I do remember a few years back that the Wallabies management were complaining that Wales had refused to close Millenium Stadium so I'm guessing it's the home teams choice. Myself I'm still not a fan of indoor play. To me rugby isn't just about playing the other team it is about mastering the elements. I played a game of footy on Tuesday night where the snow went right up to the edge of the field. The snow on the field had to have been melted by hovering helicopters to allow the game to be played. Sure it would have been great to play in a stadium like the one in Dunedin but to me there was no better feeling coming off that field after bagging a one point win in those conditions.
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
Hartley didn't call referee Barnes a cheat. He called him a f. cheat. Didn't wait till later to do it in his book either. And, according to Barnes, he'd been warned several times before.
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
Phillips played the 1st Test plague by an old "floating bone" injury in his knee. He's struggling. The whole 2nd and back row has been shuffled around to compensate for the lack of O'Connell: Parling to jump & call the lineouts, Heaslip to do the carrying legwork, Lydiate to play tighter around the breakdowns than Croft. I suspect POC himself will do the "motivational speech" in the shed before the off. I don't think they've decided yet who plays on with a broken arm.
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
There's a lot less evidence of "Lions shenanigans" in the IRB's decision to invoke their process than there is of the Horwill/AWJ incident. Furthermore, I reckon there's been more than 3.5 hours worth of effort spent on this site alone considering NH conspiracy in the matter. Let the IRB do their job and see what happens. Clear the air in their judical procedures well in advance of the next World Cup. I don't think there is allowance for further appeal after this one, by the way. Grassy knoll? Illuminati? Spiked NZ drinks before the final?
Justin2
Guest
C'mon Brett 1 + 1 = 2.
fernando marzano
Guest
Sorry Brett, my English is not good I didnt understand, you want to say than you don´t like Kimlin and prefer Simmons. I said that, because to me Rob is looking short of confidence, and that is something serius to me. Regards.
fernando marzano
Guest
Ah, ah, you really know about wines, Malbec is my favorite varietal. I recommend it for when you come to Argentina some wines: Catena Zapata (my favorite), Luigi Bosca and Rutini. They can not fail! Please do not throw Deans is a great coach, who last year had a lot of bad luck with injuries. The ARU should do a study of why so many players are injured. Last year they had outside the RC, major players like Genia, Horwill, O'Connor, QC, Palu and Pockock. This year looks pretty similar. Think that WBs are playing against the best players in the Northern Hemisphere, the only one is not there is Thierry Dussatoir because he is French. Then nothing better out there. My prediction for the 2013´ RC, Will be define betwen Australia and South Africa, I don´t believe All Blacks wiil win it again. regards
Linz22
Guest
Sorry mate, too many windows open on my phone, wrong post.
Malo
Guest
Cmon Brett you must have played. The wallabies are no chance this week. Moral will be low and JOC at 5/8 and Beale at FB is disastrous. Wake up Palu and the backrow is not decisive. OH I love CL but he wont perform this w/end as he just got knocked out. Lions by 20 plus. GURUS HERE HAVE NO IDEA, OBVIOUSLY NEVER PLAYED THE GAME.
Brett McKay
Expert
You've got lucky, Kane, hope you see this yourself.. 1. No, the roof has been closed already. 2. I don't know who makes the decision, but I assume both teams would have input. 3. I'm not fussed on a roof being closed or open, to be honest. It's the same for both sides, either way...
Stin
Guest
I live Occam's Razor!
Kane
Roar Guru
Hi Brett, Probably a little to late to get a reply. First question: Will the roof be open on Saturday night. Second question: Who's decision is it whether it is opened or not? Third question: What is your view on playing rugby under a roof away from the elements?
Kingjoe
Guest
Why Manu tuilagi not playing??!! He is the most exciting player in the lions tour and they put Davies instead of tuilagi???
aussie footy
Guest
Top reponse J2, That Robbie Deans is a bloody galah
Defier Pariah
Guest
Folau had the 2nd most runs for the entire team.
Malo
Guest
Simon so you watch rugby for world rankings , try enjoying the game
Malo
Guest
2 tries
Short-Blind
Guest
Really Brett? I'm pretty sure anyone who saw QC's long passing game vs the Lions recently could assume that that same game for the Wallabies would see Folau receive the ball 1. More frequently and 2. With loads more space. It's the same as assuming McCabe will run straight and hard and defend well (without passing) and Beale will miss the odd kick and tackle. There are patterns and form lines in front of me that allow me to clearly make that assumption.
Brett McKay
Expert
Knowing how much work I've got on around the house and writing wise, Will, I'm very glad Sydney's still a week away! Make sure it's fine by next weekend though, please. The idiots tend to come out on the Hume when it's raining...