Clive Woodward calls out ‘losing mentality’ Australia moment that summed ‘men against boys’ Lions win
Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson
Former England boss Clive Woodward has got stuck into the Wallabies in the wake of their limp performance in Saturday’s 19-27 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane.
Seeing Andy Farrell’s Lions take the spoils in the first Test was no surprise, but what grated with Woodward, who was in charge for the Lions’ 0-3 series loss to New Zealand in 2005, was how the one-sided match at Suncorp Stadium ended.
He wasted no time in his post-match Sportsmail column calling out the actions of Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson. “The first British & Irish Lions Test with Australia was, in reality, men against boys despite the final score,” he began.
“It was not what a Lions series should all be about. What summed up the game for me was that with the clock in the red and with the Lions winning 27-19, the Australian captain, Harry Wilson, kicked the ball out to end the game.
‘Totally different planet…’
“Talk about a losing mentality. For me, it is the last play of the game, so why not have a mentality to try and score, as this could be the situation in seven days’ time, only closer?
“Why not rehearse this scenario? Why would any player, especially the captain, want to end the game? That in so many ways reflects the current state of Australian rugby, which is clearly not in a great position.
“The Lions were dominant and far superior and the score just did not reflect the difference between the two teams. The best team won and big congratulations to Andy Farrell and all the Lions players. You can only play what is in front of you and clearly what is in front of this Lions team was short in many aspects of what is fundamental to international rugby.”
Singling out Lions players who caught his eye, Woodward added: “Finn Russell pulled the strings… I was very impressed by Ellis Genge. His power in the loose was very impressive… Tom Curry summed up the physicality of the red pack, grabbing a deserved try. Curry was excellent.
“There was controversy over his selection at No.7, especially ahead of Jac Morgan. But he delivered a big performance and deserves plenty of credit for that…
“The vast gulf in quality between the two sides was shown not only in the tight forward exchanges, but also at half back. Gibson-Park and Russell were on a totally different planet to the Australian nine and 10.”
In conclusion, Woodward suggested: “Joe Schmidt is a brilliant and canny head coach, who always has a trick up his sleeve. But it was next to impossible for him to change the direction of the first Test, given how his team were so clearly second best.
“Of course, there is a chance Australia will fight back and level the series. But that looks very unlikely based on what we saw in Brisbane.”
