Coach Robbie Deans admits he faces an immensely tough decision whether to recall the experience and nous of Wallabies great George Smith to improve Australia’s breakdown fortunes on Saturday night.
The British and Irish Lions surprisingly gained the upper hand in a rugged breakdown battle in the second Test and young incumbent Michael Hooper is no certainty to start at No.7 in the ANZ Stadium decider.
After a week of full training in Melbourne, Smith is considered fit and prepared enough to be unleashed against the Lions.
But the 32-year-old still has not played for six weeks due to a knee injury and that would concern Deans ahead of such a big game.
The coach conceded on Tuesday that he could choose any one of his three openside flankers – Hooper, Smith and replacement Liam Gill – to start in the third Test.
All have been stand-outs in Super Rugby this season, while 110-Test veteran Smith has turned the clock back 12 years when he was highly influential in Australia’s maiden series win over the Lions.
The Brumbies flanker last played for Australia in 2009 but Deans showed how highly he rates him by rushing Smith back from injury last week.
Asked if he faced a difficult call at No.7, he said: “Absolutely, which is great.”
Although the Wallabies ultimately prevailed 16-15, Deans might be forced to consider a back-row change after Lions captain Sam Warburton was far more influential than Hooper at the ruck contest.
It was a reversal of fortunes from the first Test when Australia dominated the breakdown, before and after Hooper moved into the centres just after the break.
“As happens, the Lions responded to our performance in the first Test and they really targeted it, particularly in the wide breakdowns, and they put us under a lot of pressure,” Deans said.
“We’ve got to be better.”
Lions coach Warren Gatland has a headache of his own at No.7 with Warburton (hamstring) ruled out.
Irishman Sean O’Brien was on the bench in Melbourne and is highly regarded by the Wallabies but Gatland would be tempted to pick Welsh openside Justin Tipuric, who starred in March’s Six Nations triumph over England.
“They’ve got some quality options there,” said Deans, who played down Warburton’s loss.
“In fact, I think (the media) were suggesting at the front end (of the tour) that they maybe should have been there in the first instance.”
Nigel Imrie
Guest
If AB's were playing them there would be a cricket score, the second test was OK for about 28 minutes before it all went to hell. Genia was affected by emotional issues which crept into his game affecting his timing and the rant against JOC in the second half at the death for that clearing kick is begining to reveal a bit about what is happening at that 9 and 10 combination, there is a problem there!! As you say the Wallabies are making this Lions team look good, with their spluttering, it's like a car that's not tuned properly, stop start and the error rate was very high indeed, it looks like there is something there but the personnel is not gelling especially the 9 and 10 combo!!
GWS
Guest
:)
Selector
Guest
The Lions kicked off straight to Palu almost every kick off. This is either to wear him out, or because they see him as a weak link? This is a loose and bold statement for such an important game, but I would love to see Robinson Moore Alexander Horwill Kimlin McMeniman Smith Mowen Slipper Sio FIangaa Palu Gill
Sean
Guest
Please no Douglas, dropped too much crucial ball last week!
Billy Bob
Guest
What a refreshing post, Fernando. Thank you
jeznez
Roar Guru
Have a lot of respect for both O'Brien and Tipuric. As I said above to NOS there are quite a few combinations that I'd be happy with on the Aussie side.
jeznez
Roar Guru
you guys beat me to it
jeznez
Roar Guru
Ash - I am very firmly of the opinion that the debacle of the RWC was to not have a back up 7 in the whole squad. I am also firmly of the opinion that two 7s in the match day 23 is a luxury and one that should only be accomodated under two scenarios. 1 that one of the 7s can play other positions (which is why I think it is fine with Smith able to cover 6/8) or 2 that you go with a forward heavy bench and only play two backline reserves. Neither of those is my regular preference for team set up and a single 7 in the 23 is the more traditional way that teams go.
Crash Ball2
Guest
I suspect NOS, that if the Wallabies select GS to play run on 7 this weekend and the team loses. No one will be saying post-match: it's because you picked George Smith instead of (anyone else). Last game in a Gold jersey. Peerless instinct for the game. Ageless motor. Constantly involvement. Fearless. Given the jersey, he'll bleed Gold before he leaves that pitch on Saturday. With Smith @ 7, the chances of a W just increased exponentially. Castigation for any loss will be directed towards selections spread across the flanks not for any inferiority at the breakdown.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Just a question of him finding balance in his game. I liked the breakdown game he played in game one. Many people are saying we need running from him though and he provided that in game two. In my mind a balance would be best and hope we get that in game three. I can see mania's point about using him for impact and it is a reasonable point but using the Brumbies backrow of Smith, Kimlin and Mowen could be argued for as well
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Way to soon. The Tahs are still a very limited team and he needs to fix that and get them playing finals rugby. He shouldn't get his shot until after the RWC and to be fair Link should be first in line before him, but that won't happen.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Ewen has burnt to many bridges from his time at the Tahs, specifically with Hawker. Things haven't exactly been peachy since he has taken over at the Reds between the ARU and QRU either. That's also why the best rugby administrator in the country got shafted last year for an obscure private software manager when the CEO position became vacant at the ARU. Cheika needs to build up credibility over the next two years so White is the only real option. White is obviously knows his rugby but his Test record is average and he hasn't put the runs on the board as a coach outside of a tournament environment at either provincial or Test level, yet.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
I'd love to see a poll on this. Some interesting permutations and combinations. I think at this stage I'm leaning towards a stint on the bench for Hooper. Even though I still think he is awesome, I'd give some other hungry buggers a go (Gill and Smith) and bring Hooper on for impact late when his speed will be too much for some tired Lions. Which leaves: 6 Mowen, Gill or Smith 7 Gill or Smith 8 Mowen or Smith I think I'm leaning towards: 6 Mowen 7 Gill 8 Smith Clearly I don't have much time for Palu. Sorry.
The pounder
Guest
I reakon we could really dominate with this pack Robo Moore Alexander Horwill Douglas MMM Res: Gill Smith Mowen Res: Kimlin
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
How is this a "tough decision"? Australia's best openside flanker of all time who is still very much in good form and the only member of the squad who has been here before (Lions decider) vs a relative rookie (Gill or Hooper) who combined have about 20% or St George's experience. The only concern may be that he's coming back from injury, but that didn't seem to bother Deans when selecting Pat McCabe, Berrick Barnes et al.. and they have no where near the level of class that Smith has in is big toe... The only debate here should be whether to start him or play him off the bench (I'd go for off the bench personally) and who to pick out of Hooper and Gill as his backup...
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Barnes and Ioane shouldn't be in the team anyway since one is flaky and the other hasn't done anything in a Wallabies jersey for god knows how many months now, but at least they're available for the Rugby Championship. The Wallabies didn't struggle at the breakdown in the first test. The Lions made adjustments and the Wallabies as usual couldn't respond in-game. Now people want to play Hooper for not being as strong over the ball as Pocock when the back row and tight forwards were all to blame. They're going to have to make more of an adjustment than throwing out George Smith.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Personally would love to see Cheika given the job. Probably too early for now, I think he needs one more season at least at SR level but I reckon he would get players and public support. He is very Aussie yet very worldly too, knows his rugby and would bring an energy and enthusiasm no one else has. My first choice.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Boring!! Why play Barnes who is going to Japan? Why play Ioane, he is off to France!!! The point mate is that we are struggling at the breakdown and this game has now taken on a greater significance, it is the decider and a bit more experience in the form of GS would help the cause, surely you must have noticed the difference when GS came on for Pocock!!!
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Why would they go with White? He'll be even dourer than Deans.
Red Kev
Guest
Yep, it would have taken a 0-3 loss for Deans to get fired. A 2-1 win or a 1-2 loss, Deans will serve out the year (his current contract) at least.