The desperate British and Irish Lions have taken aim at Australia’s inspirational forward leaders as they try to avoid the ignominy of four straight series defeats for the first time in 125 years.
Not once in their proud history stretching back to their first visit to Australia and New Zealand in 1888 have the Lions suffered four consecutive series losses and the tourists admit they’re “prepared to do anything” to beat the Wallabies on Saturday night.
“It’s the biggest game of our lives, this, as players and coaches,” Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree said on Friday.
“This is grand final rugby. The last throw of the dice. Everything to play for.
“I’d say desperate is the word.”
So desperate that the Lions are risking retribution from the Wallabies for questioning the selection of veteran flanker George Smith, who turns 33 next week, for his first Test in four years and for mocking skipper James Horwill’s emotional celebration after Australia’s tense series-levelling win last Saturday.
Smith hasn’t played for six weeks because of a knee injury, but has replaced Michael Hooper in the back row and consigned reserve flanker Liam Gill to a place in the stands at ANZ Stadium.
“We’ll see how much of a gamble it is with Smith tomorrow,” Rowntree said.
“I’m surprised at that. He’s been out for a long time. It will be interesting to see his match fitness. They’ve got three good sevens in that squad.”
Former All Blacks coach Graham Henry has also labelled Smith’s selection a risk, but Wallabies vice-captain Will Genia on Friday dismissed fears the 110-Test legend has been rushed back prematurely.
“George is a freak,” Genia said. “He’s running around like he’s 21.”
Rowntree isn’t doubting Smith’s prowess and knows Irish flanker Sean O’Brien, in for injured Lions captain Sam Warburton, will have his work cut out.
But he is backing the Lions back row to win the key breakdown battle.
“He’s still good, still very good technically, but he makes very good decisions when to go in there to challenge the breakdown,” Rowntree said.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for Sean. But from what we’ve seen from training today and how we’ve trained all week, crikey we’re ready for this battle.”
While Genia and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans are promising Australia’s best performance of the series, Rowntree believes the hosts played their grand final in Melbourne.
“I think we saw the reaction from Australia last week after they beat us,” Rowntree said.
“Especially their captain Horwill – he was crying after the game – they threw everything at us in that game and beat us by a point and we really didn’t get our game going.
“We know that and we’ve looked at it a lot this week. Particularly third and fourth quarter, we didn’t get going and there’s loads more to come from us.
“And the guys are desperate to win.”
The Lions haven’t won a series since downing South Africa 2-1 in 1997.
The last time they faced four straight series defeats, the Lions edged Australia 19-18 in the 1989 decider in Sydney.
Steve
Guest
What a beautiful comment to end the morning's puffed up B.S session. You know I read this this morning, thought the article and comments were ironically doing the exact thing they were accusing the Lions of (snarling and sniping to hide desperation). I thought about writing something then, but just left it alone, knowing that it would be more fun to come back and read this again after the match played out. As far as mouths that shoulda been kept shut go, I think we'll allow the Lions a free pass on this one. Mr Walton, did the Lions avoid ignominy? Were your forward leaders as inspirational as they needed to be? Never mind, it's time to move on to the finger pointing and whinging (shoulda played Quade, it's all JOC's fault, it's all Deans' fault etc) That way you don't even need to give the Lions any credit for winning
mania
Guest
lions shoulda kept their mouths shut. now they look like crybabies
Josh M
Guest
Good point. Haven't seen that canvassed before.
Rassie
Roar Rookie
"The desperate Lions" lol After finding 5 Mars bars, 3 Snickers, a Flake and a packet of m&m's, I'm starting to think I'm not cut out to be a bounty hunter
the ardent bstard
Guest
This will be interesting - Smith is a champion but this is a long time between drinks. Crusaders ran at him all day in the Brumbies/Crusaders game and he was non-existent in the second half. He is gonna need some help from Palu
Internal Fixation
Guest
Risky for the Lions indeed. It is a genius move as if a major breakdown battle occurs as predicted, G Smith has been in there with this referee for a recent season in France. His reading of Poite will be vital and helpful to Australia across the park.
Defier Pariah
Guest
Would you not like another back sometimes? Anyway I disagree that Gill is a better 7. He is a better fetcher but not a better 7. Lets not pretend 7s have to be great fetchers because Tipuric, O'Brien, McCaw, Dusautoir, Louw, Robshaw and a few others are not great fetchers in the same mold as Gill, Pocock, Todd, Brussouw but are great 7s. It seems to me that people cant get their heads around players that are not the norm for those positions but from nation to nation and era to era the ideal for a position is different and thats not to mention players like Hooper or Mike Phillips that are not the norm for their positions but amoungst the best. Lomu was not the normal wing and 25 years ago a 12 like SBW was unusual to say the least.
Josh M
Guest
I hope the ARU aren't fuelling all this Deans speculation on match eve. Doesn't say much about the substance of the new leadership if they are. Yep, sadly, some Queenslanders want the Wallabies to lose tonight ... or at the very least, they won't be overly disappointed if they do. But, they'll be disappointed, because I doubt McKenzie will be the next Wallaby coach. Clubs globally would be lining up for a guy with Deans experience and personal qualities. Deans has finally got quality cattle across the park and the machine is perfectly oiled; I'm expecting an exhilarating and thumping win tonight. I'll be watching in the Philippines with a bunch of locals. Rugby is on the rise in this country and Aussie schools and clubs would kill for some of the junior talent I see here. These guys are smart, fast and real tough. Go the Wallabies.
Josh M
Guest
Deans said the same, earlier in the week.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
No baiting from me just a genuine observation. They all nibbling on Rowntree using their own logic against them. That's confusing for the average Australian mammal.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
George Smith as a risky selection - lol lol lol! I guess they get points for trying ;)
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
He wouldn't play anyway, I suspect Hooper will start the Rugby Championship and get dropped later for Gill. Unless Deans gets replaced after the Lions series, in which case I think it likely that Gill would start from match one - regardless of whom the new coach turned out to be.
Sage
Guest
Fair enough bennalong but your last line is rubbish
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
No nibbles today, OJ?
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Fair enough Jez. I thought that is what backs were for! What if George does his medial in the first ruck?
bennalong
Guest
The Lions are under immense pressure. It's said the future of the Lions depends on this game (by some) It's forced Gatland to ditch the Irish great O'Driscoll, and go to his own Welsh players, 11-4, risking everything including the whole bloody concept! The Wallabies on the other hand, are doing it for Oz, themselves and for Deans, so fractured is the rugby supporters community and so 'financial' the ARU So what if they lose? I know a whole lot of Queenslanders barracking for the Lions!
flying hori
Guest
its a pity GS won't b available for August 17th Bledisloe game, woud like to see him come up against his nemisis Richie McCaw.
Toby of Narrabeen
Guest
The Lions are rattled for sure, making stupid remarks like this.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Uncle Arg, I generally agree that Gill is a better 7 and going to get even better but I think Hooper is a better bench player if you are going to have a reserve 7 (something that I don't agree with having. That is a different conversation thought). The reason I vote for Hoops on the bench is his pace and wide running game. If there are gaps later in the match he is better placed to take advantage.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Apart from some cross field kicks for Izzy I'd like to see a few chips to turn around there big centres, we need some variety tonight. Going wide each time won't catch the Lions out. However a chip or grubber could be effective, must keep the defence guessing. Despite his limitations JOC can pull this play off, he takes to the line often enough, put a grubber in and regather.