Brumbies v British and Irish Lions preview: Andy Farrell’s Test hopefuls to ‘nail their flag to the mast’ with ‘resounding’ win
Tom Hooper (left) and Ollie Chessum (right) will square off this weekend.
After a sluggish win over the Waratahs last time out, the British and Irish Lions will be keen to lay down a proper marker against the Brumbies as the Wallabies Test series nears.
Andy Farrell’s side are still unbeaten on Australian soil after wins over the Western Force, the Reds and the Tahs last week, but even with the big scorelines posted, are yet to put on a full 80-minute performance; and that came to the fore in Sydney.
A Huw Jones brace, plus two conversions from Fin Smith, gave the Lions a slender 14-5 lead at the break, but it took a second-half score from Alex Mitchell to finally see off the spirited hosts, who scored through Darby Lancaster and Ethan Dobbins either side of half-time.
But, in an effort to ramp up Test preparations, the head coach has pulled the trigger and named his strongest team to take on the premier Australian club side, with 14 changes made to the starting line-up and a new-look bench too.
This also comes at a good time, given the Brumbies‘ form heading into the game. The Canberra-based side finished the Super Rugby Pacific season in third-place with nine wins across the campaign, the highest of any Australian side. They also beat the Hurricanes to reach the semi-finals, and gave the top-of-the-table Chiefs a run for their money before finally being knocked out in the semi-finals.
The capital outfit also has a good record against the Lions, famously winning in 2013 and pushing them all the way in 2001 as well, so this could be a cracker.
Where the game will be won
As with any Test-standard game, the set-piece will be crucial, but with the predicted conditions and Lions’ woes, the lineout will likely define the game. Ollie Chessum’s selection at six points to the lineout as a target area for this game, too, given his quality in this department, but he will also be able to assist Maro Itoje as a primary caller, which they have lacked thus far. Dan Sheehan’s darts will need to be on point, though, but still with those two in the fray, it’s a case of getting it somewhere in the vicinity of them.
But, there is still no getting away from their issues with the lineout to date. Be it the timings of the lift or throw, clunky drill or misplaced throws, it’s just not quite fitting into place at the minute. This exact pack, and therefore lineout, is also brand new, even if there are consistent unit combinations within it, and that could allow the Brumbies to really target the lineout and get some good change.
The Brumbies also have a really solid maul, and the predicted conditions should mean they revert to it more than usual, so the Lions need to make sure they win clean ball and keep them from getting a foothold.
Last time they met
What they said
Looking at the game, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said: “There’s a good energy this week, we trained on Saturday and today, and they’re all looking forward to it. The Lions would have learned a lot from that Waratahs game and will be bringing their near full-strength side down to play us. The boys are really excited.
“We haven’t seen nerves yet, preparation has been really good. Training on Friday was more for clarity and then Saturday was an exceptional session; we posted some of our highest metrics because the boys were really keen and really up for it. The energy again today was also exceptional.
“We have eight Wallabies out (of the Brumbies squad), so that hurts us in terms of depth, but the guys starting have been with us all year and they know what a build-up to a game is like. Then the other guys who are getting their first chance or playing their first game for a while, we’ll keep an eye on to make sure they’re not overwhelmed.”
A big talking point heading into the game is the return of Mack Hansen, who will play against his former side should he come off the bench tomorrow.
“Super special to be able to go up against Mack. I’m sure he’ll be talking heaps, as he always does,” said Brumbies skipper Ryan Lonergan.
“We’ve been great mates since we’re about 12 really. Really looking forward to catching up with him, haven’t seen him since he went.”
A lot has already been made of the 2013 match between the sides, which both Hansen and Longeran were at in crowd, and the captain reflected back on that historic day.
“I still remember it. I think I was sitting over there somewhere as a little fella when we got up over the Lions,” Lonergan added.
“Such a memorable moment, even as a fan, so to be able to do it tomorrow as a player [is] super special and the boys are really excited.”
Lions boss Farrell was also aware of the defeat 12 years ago, which leaves him wary of the threat of the Super Rugby side.
“In 2013 the Brumbies beat The British & Irish Lions in Canberra and this year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby – so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us,” said Farrell.
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He added: “It will also be a special occasion for Mack Hansen as he returns to his hometown and gets the opportunity to play for and represent the Lions against some of his old teammates.”
Farrell’s selection has also become a major talking point ahead of the game too, with speculation rife over this possibly being a first look at his Test side ahead of the opening Wallabies clash on 19th July, but the head coach insists that is not the case.
“There is always going to be speculation, but it’s up to people to put their best foot forward for a Test spot from now on in as regards the chance they have got on Wednesday and Saturday,” he said.
“I suppose players can play themselves in and play themselves out, but what we are looking for is a cohesive team performance and that is at the forefront of what we are trying to achieve.
“I wouldn’t say it [selection] is a blank slate; you have always got ideas, but again you need to leave wriggle room for things to unfold and make a judgement on what you see over the next couple of games.”
Players to watch
The Brumbies might not have a lot of their Wallabies contingent with them ahead of this game, but nonetheless, they still have some quality in their ranks. Captain Ryan Lonergan is a tasty scrum-half and could really catch the Lions off-guard. His box-kicking will also be a key driver within their game, and he will also likely step up from the tee too. Fellow half-back Declan Meredith will also be out for a strong performance, and could easily sneak into Wallabies contention if he does, given Noah Lolesio is now ruled out of the Test series.
In the pack, hooker Lachlan Lonergan, Ryan’s brother, will need to be on point in the set-piece
For the Lions, Blair Kinghorn will certainly be one to watch, given his shift over to 15. The Scotland ace has long been viewed as the Test full-back, and now he finally gets the chance to play in that position in the red jersey. A good performance should steer him into the Test side, you feel.
This squad also includes several who need a big game after quiet outings in previous fixtures. Tom Curry is certainly among that list, made slightly more obvious by the form of the other flankers, but if he can replicate the form that got him on the tour then the Brumbies will be in for a long night. Tadhg Furlong is another in the starting XV who will be keen to prove a point, given how well Will Stuart and Finlay Bealham have gone so far Down Under. The experienced tighthead is a quality operator when on song, though, and this is a good a chance as any to hit those notes.
Turning attention onto the bench, Marcus Smith has been handed a shot too, which again comes at a good time for him. He also seems to be named as the direct fly-half replacement rather than the cover option, which could get the best out of him.
Main head-to-head
There are some really interesting match-ups across the pitch, but the battle at six between Tom Hooper and Ollie Chessum will be fascinating. They are different types of hybrid lock-flankers, yet both offer so much quality to their side as well. Hooper likes to get stuck into the breakdown battle and the carrying side of the game, while Chessum is more of a lineout and defence-focused player, but that in itself offers a mouthwatering contrast.
Both men are also fully in contention to feature here in the Test series, crucially at six as well, so this game and this head-to-head could easily set the tone for a possible Test match-up as well if they can perform.
Prediction
While the Brumbies come into this game in high spirits, this feels like the perfect chance for the Lions Test hopefuls to nail their flag to the mast ahead of the Wallabies series. This is likely some players’ final chance to prove themselves to Farrell ahead of the Wallabies on the 19th, so they will all be keen to prove a point. You’d also expect Farrell to have reset his expectations and increase the quality and standards after last weekend’s sluggish win, which should again drive them to a resounding win. Lions by 15.
Previous results
2001: British and Irish Lions won 30-28 in Canberra
2013: Brumbies won 14-12 in Canberra
The teams
Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Ben O’Donnell, 13 Ollie Sapsford, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Lington Ieli
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachie Hooper, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Hudson Creighton
British and Irish Lions: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 Joe McCarthy, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Josh van der Flier, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Mack Hansen
Date: Wednesday, July 9
Venue: GIO Stadium Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 20:00 local (11:00 BST, 10:00 GMT)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
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