'Greatest experience of my career was 2013 series' - Geniapublished at 05:34 17 July
05:34 17 July
Chris Jones Rugby union Correspondent in Brisbane
Image source, BBC Sport
We spent a very enjoyable hour this morning with Australia great Will Genia, who started all three Tests against the Lions in 2013.
Genia reflects on that series and looks ahead to what is coming up in the next few weeks. He reckons whoever wins the first Test will win the series, and says an Australia victory will turbo-charge the atmosphere in the country ahead of the second Test at the 100,000 seater Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The 110-cap Wallaby has some sage advice for rookie 10 Tom Lynagh and explains what Australia need to do to upset the odds on Saturday.
You can hear from Genia on the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast, which will be out from around 9am on Thursday.
Both players missed the Wallabies warm-up win over Fiji with calf complaints, but the hosts had hoped they would be fit in time to fact the Lions.
Skelton said earlier this week that he would be ready to play in the series opener, while Australia assistant coach Geoff Parling issued an upbeat assessment of Valentini's chances saying he was "very hopeful" the hard-carrying 26-year-old would make the match.
However The Roar reports that head coach Joe Schmidt will now turn to Nick Champion de Crespigny, who moved to Western Force this year after a successful spell at French side Castres, as blind-side flanker in Valetini's absence.
Sheehan calls on Lions to find a new level against the Wallabies published at 13:19 16 July
13:19 16 July
Tom English BBC Sport in Australia
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Image caption,
Sheehan is expected to start at hooker in Saturday's first Test
British and Irish Lions hooker, Dan Sheehan, says his team are going to have to play a "lot better" than they have been performing if they are to win the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.
"I think we have to find another level," said the Leinsterman. "We've had some close games in the last few weeks, so we definitely need to step up. We've talked about it.
"What we've done so far has been great and I think we've done a good job doing it, but there has to be a visible difference this week. We should be able to feel the energy off people. Everything is just going to be up a level."
Sheehan is sure to start at hooker when Andy Farrell names his team on Thursday.
He has compared this Lions tour, with the frenetic pace of travel and games, as like a World Cup "on steroids."
The hooker also spoke about the significance of the scrum on Saturday, an area of strength for the Lions so far on tour.
"We'll need to make sure we have no preconceived ideas that we might have a dominant scrum," he said. "We have to earn their respect from the start. We can't carry in that belief that we might run over a team. It won't happen like that. We're back to ground zero at scrum time. But it's a big part of our game that hopefully we can get a bit of joy out of."
Various Lions have spoken of their desire to win the series 3-0 and to be remembered as the greatest Lions side ever, a noble, if deluded, thought.
The 1971 Lions were the first and still the only squad to win in New Zealand, the 1974 Lions in South Africa went unbeaten and the 1997 Lions, also in South Africa, stamped their names in history by winning a series that few thought them capable of.
Nothing these Lions can do against the world's eighth-ranked nation will live with those feats, but Sheehan thinks the chat from some of his team-mates is not out of place.
"There's going to be a bit of fire and they (the Wallabies) will feed into that," he added.
"We need to make sure we come out firing and stamp our gameplan on them early.
"I'm sure there's going to be some big collisions, some big heated moments in the game. I don't think that's anything too crazy (the comments about 3-0). It's obviously everyone's goal to win a Test series and to try to be a step beyond the last squad.
"The way rugby has evolved, every team should be better than the last, and it's a massive goal of ours to make sure we reach our potential. I think if we do reach our potential we have the possibility to be one of the best teams. I think they're fair comments."
"If we do well in this series, it helps in growing participation, fan engagement, sponsorship and TV numbers. All these metrics go up if we do well and that is why this is so important for us.
"Australia are not where they would like to be, that is pretty obvious, and Australian rugby has been under pressure over recent years.
"We are used to success in every sport in Australia. We are very lucky in our history to have some wonderful sportspeople and rugby is a good example of that.
"If you look at the Lions tour in 2001 it kicked-off a great period for rugby in Australia leading into the World Cup. I know we lost the final but those few years were a real golden period for rugby in Australia and the current payers have the opportunity to replicate that.
"With this Lions series going into a home World Cup, they won't get that again in their lifetime so it's so important."
Brisbane Fan Zone officially openspublished at 09:18 16 July
09:18 16 July
Lauren Jenkins BBC Sport in Australia
Many fans may have opted to detour to the Great Barrier Reef or Cairns before arriving in Brisbane from Adelaide but today Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh opened the official fan zone in King George Square. The public can measure their heights against the likes of Maro Itoje and Joseph Suaalii, test the strength of their tackle and even point to which Wallaby or Lion hair do they'd like to emulate at a pop up barbershop.
Former Wallaby Waugh says he's been delighted with how the tour has gone so far:
''The build-up has been nice, we've seen record crowds at Western Force, the biggest crowd in twenty years at the Brumbies. I think we really saw this country come alive when the Wallabies beat England last year in Twickenham. Everyone wants to get behind the team. To sell out Suncorp on Saturday night off the back of these records means it's going to be a very exciting two and a half weeks.
The team now needs to put the performance out on the park. You want hunger, fight and desperation.''
Lynagh in Test mix after 'fantastic' developmentpublished at 08:53 15 July
08:53 15 July
Alastair Telfer BBC Sport journalist
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Image caption,
Tom Lynagh started for Australia A against England A in November
Australia scrum-half Tate McDermott backed Queensland Reds team-mate Tom Lynagh to perform if he is given the starting fly-half shirt for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions.
Lynagh, son of 1991 World Cup-winning fly-half Michael, has three caps and is yet to start for his country.
Veteran fly-half James O'Connor, who started all three Tests against the Lions in 2013, was called up by Schmidt following Lolesio's withdrawal, with Ben Donaldson the other 10 in the squad.
"I've played a lot of footy with Tom and his development over the last 12 months has been fantastic," McDermott said.
"The way he has steered around the Reds side this year is a true credit to all the work he has done and all the work he has had put into him.
"From his experiences last year in the Wallabies side and Les Kiss' guidance [at Queensland Reds].
"There are a number of options in our pocket and it will be exciting to see.
"I'd back whoever in that nine and 10 jersey to take the Lions on."
McDermott confirmed Lynagh is back to full fitness after not being "100%" to feature in Australia's victory over Fiji earlier this month.
The first Test against the Lions will be at Suncorp Stadium, where both McDermott and Lynagh play their club rugby.
Having started the Wallabies' only warm-up game before the Test series, McDermott is in with a chance of partnering Lynagh at Suncorp Stadium.
"Any opportunity to wear the gold jersey is special and even more so against the Lions in my and Tommy's home state," he added.
"It is not about us, there are plenty of other fellas who we are on this journey together with to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Lynagh (bottom left) played against Wales last summer
Union hits the back pages down underpublished at 07:48 15 July
07:48 15 July
Image source, .
So far, the Lions tour, like rugby union in general, has struggled to break through the noise of rugby league's NRL and Aussie Rules in the Australian media.
However two, admittedly league-tinged, stories are splashed across the back pages today.
The Courier Mail lead with Wallaby Joseph Suaalii reflecting on how his preparation for the Lions opener on Saturday will differ from a disastrous State of Origin appearance last year in which he was sent off for a high shot on Queensland's Reece Walsh.
The Daily Telegraph (the Australian version) goes with news that Kayln Ponga, reportedly the highest-paid player in the NRL, is looking to secure a move to a European union club.
'Lions is different to a Test match at Twickenham'published at 13:56 14 July
13:56 14 July
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The British and Irish Lions have not played a Test series in front of fans since 2017
The first Test against Australia on Saturday will have a different feel to it than a normal international game, says British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje.
The 30-year-old is set to lead Andy Farrell's side out in Brisbane for his seventh Lions cap.
"It's the grandness of it. It's the occasion. It's different to a Test match at Twickenham or in any other part of the world," Itoje said.
"The fans go crazy, the streets will be lined with people in Lions shirts, we won't be able to go anywhere, so it is just a little bit different in that respect.
"It's an opportunity that one should relish. It's one of the great opportunities and events for us."
Go hard, go high - Jones pinpoints Wallabies' best hopes for first Testpublished at 10:59 14 July
10:59 14 July
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Image caption,
Eddie Jones made Will Skelton Australia captain during a France 2023 campaign that ended in the pool stages
Two-time former Australia coach Eddie Jones, who also spent seven years at the helm of England, says Saturday's first Test is Australia's best chance of upsetting the British and Irish Lions and combining a heavyweight pack and a kick-chase game is the hosts' best route to victory.
"They're both 50-minute players but they can be wrecking balls in those moments.
"Get the ball behind the Lions, one of the few things they've struggled with on tour, and get your chasers up hard and in a line to defend exit and pressure mistakes."
Both the Lions and Australia name their matchday 23s on Thursday for the first Test.
Morgan flies Welsh flag alone in 44-man Lions squadpublished at 10:30 14 July
10:30 14 July
Lauren Jenkins BBC Sport in Australia
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Jac Morgan has produced some outstanding displays in the number seven shirt
There remains just one Welshman - Jac Morgan - in what will soon be a squad of 44 British and Irish lions in Australia. It's a staggering stat. A barren run of results means there have been few objections thus far though hooker Dewi Lake may feel aggrieved to have been overlooked.
Scots Ewan Ashman, Darcy Graham and Rory Sutherland will join from New Zealand to provide cover for the First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture and will bring the country's representation to 11 players. Graham's inclusion means the Scotland backline who beat Australia in November are now all in the squad.
Ireland meanwhile boast 18 players, 14 from Leinster which equals England's representation. Lions captain Maro Itoje today defended Andy Farrell's decision to expand the squad with some suggesting it devalues the shirt.
''Andy has called them in because they will help us achieve our goal of winning a Test series," he said. "These are all quality players and have achieved things. It's not us and them we are all in this together.
"It doesn't matter if there is a late call-up. We have seen in the past how late call-ups have had a huge impact on the tour in positive ways so I have no doubt everyone will play a significant role."
Head coach Farrell won't be concerned by the optics of the squad split with just one number on his mind. The Lions have played eight and won eight Tests in Brisbane, a record he'll be desperate to retain.
Foketi, Samu and Salakaia-Loto confirmed for First Nations & Pasifika squadpublished at 10:09 14 July
10:09 14 July
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Image caption,
Salakaia-Loto played in the Australia and New Zealand invitational side
Australia internationals Lalakai Foketi, Pete Samu and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are in the squad for the First Nations & Pasifika team select side that will take on the Lions between the first and second Tests.
Salakaia-Loto and Samu are two of four players, along with Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Kalani Thomas, who played for the Australia and New Zealand invitational XV in their loss.
Kurtley Beale, who played against the Lions on their 2013 tour, had already been confirmed as one of the initial squad members, with Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu and Glen Ella, one-time England assistant, on the coaching staff.
First Nations & Pasifika XV squad:
Forwards: George Blake, Mesake Doge, Feao Fotuaika, Lington Ieli, Marley Pearce, Richie Asiata, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Darcy Swain, Mesake Vocevoce, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Tuaina Taii Tualima
Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Harrison Goddard, Kalani Thomas, Kurtley Beale, Jack Debreczeni, David Feliuai, Lalakai Foketi, Isaac Henry, Jarrah McLeod, Andy Muirhead, Kye Oates, Triston Reilly.
Fit-again Skelton welcomes Wallabies underdogs tagpublished at 08:38 14 July
08:38 14 July
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Image caption,
Skelton with former Saracens team-mates Jamie George and Owen Farrell
Australia lock Will Skelton says the Wallabies are relishing their underdog tag going into the first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane.
"I love it," he said "We love it. We are, like Joe said, we're worried solely on ourselves. Lions have played some great footy, and we want to showcase what we can do on Saturday.
"If you put pressure on any team, they can crack."
Skelton, who confirmed that he has recovered from a calf twinge that kept him out of the Wallabies' warm-up win over Fiji, also reflected on the influence one-time Saracens team-mate Owen Farrell could have on the tourists' camp.
"I know how much of a competitor he is," added Skelton. You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off.
"He's like every great ten that I've had. He's demanding. He has high standards, and that's what you want in a team. People take it the wrong way, but that's how he feels. He needs to project himself; he's got history, and it's worked for him."
Business picking up in Brisbanepublished at 08:33 14 July
08:33 14 July
Chris Jones Rugby union correspondent in Australia
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Image caption,
Lions captain said he had "no doubts" that Darcy Graham, Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman would be welcomed into the squad
Test week has finally arrived, and on a gloriously sunny day in Brisbane it feels like business is picking up.
This Australia side is not stacked full of big guns, but two of their biggest - Joseph-Aksuso Suaalii and Will Skelton - both spoke to the media today, a reminder of the firepower the Wallabies do possess.
Lions captain Maro Itoje also spoke to us as he reiterated Henry Pollock's desire for a 3-0 clean sweep.
The big news overnight has been the selection of a trio of Scottish players from across the ditch in New Zealand, echoing the controversial 'Geography Six' selection from 2017. The trio are all worth their place here, especially the outstanding Darcy Graham who was very unlucky to miss out in the first place and will join the squad straight away.
Ewan Ashman and Rory Sutherland will play for Scotland against Samoa before heading to Australia, with their selections to provide extra reinforcements to face the First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday and protect the Test team.
But while the Lions insist geography didn't play a big part in the selections, spare a thought for someone like Dewi Lake. If Wales had been playing in Fiji instead of Japan last weekend, would he have got a call up?
Meanwhile Itoje insists the players will be warmly welcomed into the Lions fold, as opposed to eight years ago when the 'Geography Six' were not treated as legitimate members of the squad by some members of the Lions party.
'Ruthless killer instinct missing'published at 16:42 13 July
16:42 13 July
Image source, The Sunday Telegraph
The Sunday Telegraph in Australia headline said "Lions make statement but ruthless killer instinct missing".
That may be a little harsh after Andy Farrell's side won 48-0 against the AUNZ Invitational XV on Saturday.
The article goes on the say, "for a team that keeps bragging about being the best of the best, the Lions lacked the killer instinct to go on with the job against against a makeshift team whose build-up included a bonding session over beers at a pub.
"For Joe Schmidt and his underdog Wallabies, their best hope of beating the Lions lies in hope that they haven't been able to produce a full 80-minute performance since arriving in Australia."
Image source, The Australian
The Australian spoke to Japan-based fly-half Quade Cooper, who was last capped by the Wallabies in 2023, about how important the Lions tour is for rugby union in Australia.
The 37-year-old did not agree with Joe Schmidt's decision not to send back a large portion of his star players to their Super Rugby Pacific teams to play the Lions in warm-up games.
"If the Wallabies lose the series 3-0 to the British and Irish Lions, most people will shrug and say, 'well, that was always going to happen'. That's exactly what's holding Australian rugby back," Cooper said.
"The Lions sitting at 5-0 so far this tour isn't just a reflection of their quality - it's also as a result of the Wallabies choosing to rest so many of our top players from the Super Rugby teams that played the tourists.
"That decision robbed us of the chance to shift perception."
Image source, BBC Sport
