The Lions might be three games into their Australian tour but I?m still struggling to work out which starting 15 coach Warren Gatland will go with.
Based on previous tours, I thought we would see the likely first Test team run out against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, but I think Gatland and his coaching staff will be treating this game as another audition.
From what I’ve seen on tour and from what some of the travelling journos have told me, those most likely are Halfpenny (15), North (11), O’Driscoll (13), Sexton (10), Phillips (9), Adam Jones (3) and Corbisiero (1).
So this week Gatland will need to have another look at his back rowers.
I’m a big fan of Irishman Sean O’Brien, but he has tour captain Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric also vying for the No.7 jersey. O’Brien can also play blindside flanker, but will he get the nod ahead of Dan Lydiate and Tom Croft.
Jamie Heaslip has been impressive on tour but Toby Faletau might nudge him out of the No.8 jersey. He’s Welsh and he’s delivered for Gatland in big games before.
The hooker role seems to be a battle between Rory Best and Tom Youngs.
With Tommy Bowe on the injured list and unavailable for the first test, Alex Cuthbert is the front runner for the other wing spot. But I’ve been impressed by ex-Crusader Sean Maitland and it wouldn’t surprise me if Quade Cooper’s cousin gets a start after just five caps for his adopted Scotland.
As far as the Locks are concerned, there’s plenty of tall timber to pick from so Gatland will be keeping a close eye on the performances against the Tahs. Geoff Parling has impressed. The Welsh duo of Alun-Wyn Jones and Ian Evans have good form on the board, and Scotsman Richie Gray won’t let the side down.
Ireland’s Paul O’Connell’s past leadership and overall experience might be enough to impress selectors.
That just leaves inside centre.
Jamie Roberts was all the rage but he failed to impress against Combined Country in Newcastle. He’s under pressure from England’s Manu Tuilagi and fellow Welshman Jonathan Davies.
Whatever happens against the Waratahs, it will be a strong Lions team to take on the Wallabies in the first Test in Brisbane on June 22. The side that runs out against the Brumbies next Tuesday in Canberra will be playing for a spot on the bench at best.
The Waratahs would’ve learned a few things from the Reds’ effort against the Lions last week and should be prepared to throw everything at the tourists. Without their many Wallaby reps, Michael Cheika’s men will treat this game as their ‘Final’ as they won’t be featuring in the Super Rugby play-offs.
It’s a great opportunity for mainly second stringers to impress their Coach and stake a claim for next season.
The effort against the Force in Perth last week by the make-shift Tahs’ line up was impressive, especially in the first half. They have everything to gain against the Lions.
The Brumbies will also be keen to make a statement without their Wallabies next Tuesday. They’ve booked a spot in the play-offs and will have some time off after this game. An upset win over the Lions will be a great confidence boost when Super Rugby resumes in a few weeks.
Finally, the first four Inside Rugby Magazine Wallabies Invincibles have been named and I wasn’t surprised when Col Windon, Mark Ella, Ken Catchpole and David Campese got the nod.
I was one of the judges and our brief was to vote for players who had the X-Factor.
Players who had the ability to change a game and who were the best in the world in their position throughout the majority of their career. All four Invincibles ticked the boxes.
But I must admit that it’s hard for someone in the front row, or even the tight five, to stand out as much as a classy back rower or back.
Catchpole, Ella and Campese wouldn’t have been able to do what they did without the tight five delivering them a platform.
John Eales will surely be an Inductee at some stage, and I hope it’s not too long before a front rower is honoured. The next intake will be next year.
Related Articles
No user responded in this post