Ronan O’Gara warns ‘absolute freak’ can change everything after British and Irish Lions exposed ‘gulf in class’
British and Irish Lions celebrate Tom Curry try in first Test and Wallabies lock Will Skelton.
Former British and Irish Lions fly-half Ronan O’Gara believes that Andy Farrell’s men can be vastly better this weekend after he felt the first Test exposed the difference in quality.
The 48-year-old, who went on three tours, reckoned Farrell and his players would be disappointed by a few aspects of their display in Brisbane.
Although the Lions claimed a comfortable 27-19 triumph over the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, they allowed the hosts to come back into the game in the second period.
Lions could have won by 40 points
“I think secretly they will be very disappointed with their first Test performance. They were, what, 19-5 up (editor’s note: 24-5), had them on the ropes, and they were there to go on to win by 30 or 40 points,” O’Gara told The Aftermatch with Kirst and Beav.
“For me, there’s a big gulf in class between these two teams. You look at it at half-back, [Jamison] Gibson-Park and [Finn] Russell are just operating at a different level to a guy who’s inexperienced, even though he will have a big future, in Tom Lynagh.”
Despite what O’Gara sees as a big gap between the sides, the Lions may have to be wary of an improved Australia outfit, on paper at least.
Joe Schmidt is set to be boosted by the return of gargantuan forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, while Taniela Tupou could also be involved.
Skelton is a player the Irishman knows very well, having coached him for several years at La Rochelle and understands exactly how destructive he can be.
“It sounds ridiculous that a lot can change with one man, but the guy is an absolute freak and I’m very one-eyed obviously because I see everything good about him,” he said.
“He does change a team, he does change an environment, he is so good, but he’s coming back from a period of time out.
“Usually it takes a game or two to find your feet, but Will can hit the ground running.”
Wallabies’ lack of power
The Wallabies lack size in their pack and the loss of Valetini and Skelton made their task even more difficult against the Lions’ behemoths in the first Test.
O’Gara has identified their inability to win the gain line as a key issue in Brisbane and expects to see more power in the team in Melbourne.
“They need him (Skelton) and probably three or four other ball carriers. It was evident in the game they were taking the ball, especially off nine, quite static,” he added.
“One of the good things you learn in New Zealand is about this advanced-catch action, about forwards attacking the pass and being square at the line.
“It was very static behind the gain line and they were getting hit. Essentially, the half-backs off second phase, or the next phase, were playing seven metres behind the gain line off static ball.
“It was just feeding into the Lions’ line speed. They got around them once or twice early in the game but, once fatigue came into it, it was too difficult for Australia.”
READ MORE: Wallabies star slaps back at ‘ridiculous’ Sir Clive Woodward ‘losing mentality’ accusation
