Israel Dagg claps back at Ben Youngs over his call for the British and Irish Lions to tour South Africa
Israel Dagg has hit out ex-England scrum-half Ben Youngs.
Former All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg has hit out ex-England scrum-half Ben Youngs for his comments around Australia’s struggles.
Youngs was highly critical of the Wallabies following their defeat to Argentina in the Rugby Championship and suggested that the British and Irish Lions should rather tour South Africa next year.
Fellow former England international, Andy Goode made the same plea as he also expects the British and Irish Lions to comfortably dispatch the Wallabies.
The remarks hit a nerve with Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh and did so with Dagg who took a shot at Youngs.
Pleas for Lions to go to South Africa
Speaking on his podcast For the Love of Rugby, Youngs slammed the Wallabies’ performance in their 67-27 defeat to Argentina and stated that Australian Rugby is in a ‘proper dark’ state.
“I’m looking at and thinking the Lions are better off going to South Africa and touring there. Given that the last time they went there was no fans allowed,” Youngs said.
”I don’t know, maybe we’ll just do a reunion of 2013 and we’ll just go f***ing do the business on them – get all the lads out of retirement.
“Just bits to their game which are just so naive.”
Ex-fly-half Goode said that a ‘campaign’ should be started for the Lions to change their tour schedule and head to South Africa after the 2021 tour was played behind closed doors.
“Australia were 20 points to three up at the weekend and then got hosed 67-27,” Goode said on the Rugby Pod.
“Can we campaign for the Lions to flip the tour and go to South Africa, please? It can’t happen but if you’re the Lions now at the end of the season and you’re picking anyone to play it’s South Africa.”
In response to the comments, Waugh told the Syndey Morning Herald: “I am confident we are putting in place the systems, structure and discipline that sets the Test team up for success.”
He added: “You can see the progress is there. It is not nearly where we need it to be, but if we keep progressing at the speed with which we have moved things in the last six months, then there is plenty of time [before the Lions series].”
Rugby Australia boss’ forthright view on calls for Lions to skip series against Wallabies
Dagg hits back
Meanwhile, Dagg has returned serve on behalf of his trans-Tasman neighbours and rued the fact that Waugh responded to such talk.
“Right now it has been so bloody bad,” he said in reference to the state of Super Rugby and Australian rugby on SENZ radio.
“And Ben Youngs has fired attacks at Rugby Australia, the England star says the Lions should tour South Africa instead and then Phil Waugh has bit.
“I said mate don’t bite don’t bite just keep silent and keep going about your work.”
Dagg then took a shot at Youngs as he believes that there won’t be many England players making the trip out to Australia with the Lions anyway.
“The reality is that the British and Irish Lions are going to be the majority of the Irish team so I don’t know what Ben Youngs is on about,” he added.
The Lions are set to tackle Argentina on June 20, 2025 in Dublin before heading to Australia for the three-match Test Series.
Andy Farrell’s side will also face the Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and an invitational AU and NZ team.
Following the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels, there is still one fixture on the Lions schedule that needs to be filled which will be the midweek game between the first and second Test.
