HARMONY REIGNS IN the Australia camp as Robbie Dean is able to make just the one tweak to the side that won the Second Test in Melbourne for the Lions Series decider on Saturday.
Openside flanker George Smith returns after three years of international retirement. Smith, who starred in the 2001 series win over the Lions, takes the place of Michael Hooper, who drops to the bench. The Wallabies are captained by James Horwill and five of their six units are unchanged from the 16-15 win at the Etihad Stadium.
Adam Ashley-Cooper, scoring of the Second Test’s only try, and nerveless goalkicker Christian Leali’fano are reunited in the midfield with Joe Tomane and the lethal Israel Folau on the wings. Despite looking off the pace in the second half last week, Kurtley Beale again starts at fullback.
Will Genia has allayed Australia fears that his knee injury is anything more than a niggling inconvenience. The scrumhalf starts alongside Melbourne Rebels outhalf James O’Connor.
The Lions may have made two changes to their front row but Deans is sticking with Benn and Ben [Robinson and Alexander] with hooker Stephen Moore in the middle. Horwill is, once again, joined by immovable object Kane Douglas in the second row. Wycliff Palu, quietly effective last week, gets the No.8 jersey and the impressive Ben Mowen is named as blindside flanker.
Australia XV to face Lions: Kurtley Beale; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Leali’ifano, Joe Tomane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander; Kane Douglas, James Horwill (c); Ben Mowen, George Smith, Wycliff Palu.Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Jesse Mogg.
I said it after paulie got injured that momentum was Australia’s n got seriously red thumbed for it can anybody disagree with me now after yesterday’s team selection that it really is advantage Australia now
Do you agree that if BOD was Australian he’d be immediately on their team sheet?
A Lion’s coach that decides not to play an attacking and open game should not be a Lion’s coach. It’s a TEST match, not a “win by not playing entertaining and exciting rugby” match. Hope Gatland is never asked back to coach Ireland by the way. Any teams he’s coached have won despite him, not because of him…
John if BOD was welsh he would be starting when players such as dan carter are calling it crazy to be dropping him it speaks volumes of the man he is a true legend in world rugby, regardless of age he would still be on any national team.
Lions sack BOD and Dean Brings back George Smith… Maybe they should pack the bags today and be ready to go!
Not the greatest side, while a Lions-less BOD look a bit one directional they could still take the series. JOC retained yet again at 10 despite two poor performances beggars belief but Deans throughout his tenure has a habit of poor choices. IMO JOC’s inexperience has really stifled the wallaby backline.
Palu at 8 is another strange one, he has been very ineffective throughout the series. Smiths inclusion coupled with Warburton’s injury should give the Wallabies the upper hand at the breakdown though. However the Lions will be much stronger in the scrums thanks to some of Gatland’s changes.
The bench is a real worry for the Wallabies. Simmons is just awful. A real passenger who contributes little more than conceding penalties. How McCalman is even a rugby player shocks me. Built like Tarzan, plays like Jane. Another who goes MIA all too often. And Faaing’a.. well Pierre Spies once through him over a ruck with one arm. He’s not what you would call a strong or physical hooker..
If its a close game and Gatland empties his bench like he usually does then id favour the Lions to prevail
Have you even watched a game of australian rugby this season? Have you been watching the series? Lions are shocking! Joc in the last test made metres every time he ran,had some top drawer clearances and his pass to aac was outstanding, yes it was partly davies fault but he delayed the pass and then bang he threw it perfectly it was the pass of the tour for me so far. Slipper is there for his tackling which he does a lot of. I very much doubt you’ve seen saia fainga thrown over a ruck no matter who it was. Finally McCalmans work erhic is amazing he may not make 10 runs a match but he tackles and rucks like the devil. Wallabies to win unfortunately and this one i thought was in the lions grasp
Genia and Falou aside tis a very ordinary team.Garland will get some stick if he ballz this one up !!
Hasnt he already
So your calling george smith an ordinary player??? Ashley-cooper is ordinary is he??? Horwill is ordinary??? Beale is ordinary??? Joc is ordinary??? Tomane is ordinary??? Mowen is ordinary??? Leal’ifano is ordinary??? There is more in fact that could name but i have to cut the lawn so i dont have time but if the wallabies joined the 6n they’d win every year. Any of those players above would walk into any of the home nations sides. Give those players to scotland and they’d win every year. Point is go watch some australian super rugby(actuallly watch brumbies matches) and come back to me.
Some load changing there tune now and a few weeks ago most were saying lions would win 3 nil lol