England great savages Wallabies for getting ‘duffed up physically’ and names his second Test Lions team
The dejected Wallabies following their first Test defeat
Will Greenwood has accused the Wallabies of getting “duffed up physically” by the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s Test series opener in Brisbane.
Just eight points separated the teams on the scoreboard at the finish, but the 27-19 result flattered Australia as they were physically dominated and trailed 24-5 before a late consolation rally cut the margin of wounding defeat.
Greenwood, who toured with the Lions as a player in 1997, 2001 and 2005, is working on the 2025 tour as a pundit and his post-game Daily Telegraph column pulled no punches when it came to assessing the performance produced by Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.
“They were simply destroyed on the gainline. Smashed. And when you’re going round the corner and being sent back from whence you came, there is very little that a cerebral coach like Schmidt can do,” reckoned Greenwood.
‘I couldn’t believe that…’
“That is my worry for them. How do you suddenly turn that physical disparity around? They have to find a way. If Will Skelton or Rob Valetini are fit, they simply have to start. Not starting Angus Bell was a mistake, too. I couldn’t believe that. Australia do not have many World XV contenders, but the loosehead is one.
“The skill and execution for Australia’s first try – particularly from Max Jorgensen – is to be respected, but it came from nothing. Off the back of their gainline issues, Australia looked devoid of ideas and struggled to get their attack going. Off second phase in the second half, Tom Lynagh ended up carrying the ball hard into contact.
“That is not where you want your fly-half. It was ragged. They had been duffed up physically. They couldn’t get any go-forward and their confidence looked shot. It looked as though it could get ugly but credit to them for making the scoreboard look respectable, at least.”
The 2003 Rugby World Cup winner with England also looked ahead to the Lions’ second Test selection. Andy Farrell is set to name his team on Thursday for next Saturday’s match in Melbourne and Greenwood was tempted to give the entire starting XV in Brisbane another go.
“As long as there are no injuries, I would be tempted to stick with the same starting XV,” he wrote. “Great coaches do change winning teams, but someone surely had to drop below a 6/10 to be booted, and I’m not sure anyone was that.
“The wings, perhaps, did not have their greatest games but (James) Lowe must continue given the option of his left peg – in what could be a wet Melbourne – while (Tommy) Freeman was the form wing on tour coming into this match. Farrell should not get rid of the Northampton Saint just because of a few loose touches.
“Plus, who would come in? There are still injury doubts surrounding Garry Ringrose, Mack Hansen and Blair Kinghorn. If anything, the bench might be more intriguing. Could Kinghorn, if fit, come in for Marcus Smith? Do the Lions trust the Scot enough at fly-half? But if they’re all fresh, no niggles, having just won a Test in Brisbane, I’d be tempted to stick.”
He concluded: “Overall, Farrell will be pleased. This might have been an eight-point game, but it was a hammering which still leaves the Lions room for improvement. They still have levels to climb ahead of Melbourne. Australia have some catching up to do.”
