‘I want the Wallabies to win’ – Ex-Ireland star makes staggering declaration ahead of second British and Irish Lions Test
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt and former Ireland star Alan Quinlan.
Pundits and fans are so desperate for a competitive British and Irish Lions series that even a former Ireland star wants the Wallabies to win this weekend.
Ex-international flanker Alan Quinlan is very much behind Joe Schmidt’s side for the Melbourne Test as they look to level the series on Saturday.
The Lions took a 1-0 lead into the upcoming game following a comfortable 27-19 victory over Australia in Brisbane.
Although the scoreline was relatively tight in the end, the tourists built up a match-winning advantage before easing off the gas late on.
Many described the contest as ‘flat’ and it is hard to disagree, with the Wallabies lacking the physicality to put their opponents under pressure.
Wanting a Wallabies win
Appearing on Off The Ball, Quinlan was asked whether he would like to see the hosts take it to a decider.
“Let’s be careful now, I’ll get in trouble with Andy Farrell and the rest of the Lions crew,” he initially responded, before proclaiming: “Yes, I do want them (Wallabies) to win.
“I think if Australia win this weekend, it makes for a great week. From a fan’s point of view, from an occasion point of view, from a series point of view, I think if the Lions win this weekend, which where we’re sitting now we expect them to win, it just kind of makes it very flat for Sydney next week.”
Schmidt has been bolstered by the return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton to the pack, who will offer a bigger ball carrying presence this weekend.
The Lions remain heavy favourites, however, and according to Quinlan still have plenty of improvement left in them.
“Just for the sport really, it would be brilliant if Australia did win this game. They’ve got to find something crazy because the form would suggest that they’re not going to be good enough to do it,” he said.
“I think the Lions will get better themselves when you think about it. They’ve so many games played and they’ve kind of got the intensity and ferocity built up in the last number of weeks.
“They’ll want to be better, particularly in that second half as well.”
Lack of Wallabies physicality
Quinlan certainly hopes that the Wallabies up the physicality stakes after struggling to compete with the Lions for the opening hour of the first Test.
“It should be a cracker. I think Australia will be a lot better and that’s something that we all want to see. We’d love to see a real cliffhanger of a game where it’s on edge right until the last minute,” he added.
“After 53 minutes last week, the game was over. When Dan Sheehan scores that try, you think that’s it.
“They responded well and showed a lot of character, but hopefully we’ll see that intensity.”