Stuart Barnes: The ‘ace up’ Joe Schmidt’s sleeve that will ‘scare the unproven Lions’
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt and an inset of Stuart Barnes.
Former England fly-half Stuart Barnes has warned the British and Irish Lions of wily Joe Schmidt’s tactics ahead of the first Test match of the series in Brisbane.
Barnes does not believe that the opener will be a one-sided affair despite the tourists being overwhelming favourites against an injury-hit Wallabies outfit.
Schmidt is without the likes of Noah Lolesio, Will Skelton, Dave Porecki and star back-rower Rob Valetini for the clash at Suncorp Stadium, the former for the entire series.
While the ex-fly-half says that this is a ‘weakened’ Wallabies outfit, he feels it is not a weak one, particularly with a ‘strategist of the highest order’ as their head coach.
After losing their opening game to Argentina in Dublin, Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions team has been peerless on tour, swatting aside every team that they have come across, which Barnes believes could have created ‘a false sense of security’.
Concerns over Tadhg Furlong
He pointed to the selection of Tadhg Furlong at tighthead as a possible indication of this, with the Irishman enjoying a fine tour to date, but his career has been hampered by calf and hamstring injuries in recent times.
“On the balance of recent — albeit inadequate — evidence, there has to be a danger that the Lions will not get off to the first-half flyer they crave and expect. Australia will hope to hang on, driven by adrenaline, question marks around Furlong’s readiness and first-Test nerves on the part of the Lions,” Barnes wrote in his Times column.
“If Australia manage this, there is real hope for the home fans that Schmidt can create chaos with the advent of an intriguing bench.”
This is where Barnes believes that Schmidt has an ‘ace up his sleeve’.
“Angus Bell has steadily been developing a reputation as one of the world’s better looseheads. Yet in recent times, including the game against Fiji a fortnight ago, he came off the bench for the last period of play,” he continued.
“In the Lions’ previous game in Brisbane, the victory over Queensland Reds two weeks ago, [Will] Stuart cut a forlorn figure, trudging off the pitch after a disappointing first 50 minutes. It could be that clever Joe has targeted the Lions in an area where many expect red dominance.
He added: “It really wouldn’t be that great a surprise to see Schmidt’s first-half forwards maintain parity. The Australians’ reputation for weak scrummaging may be destroyed, along with expectations of the Lions sealing the game within the first hour.”
The real threat to the Lions
While the Englishman believes that the Wallabies’ front-row replacements can cause havoc for the Lions, the real threat is the scrum-half on the bench, Tate McDermott, who started against Fiji but has been overlooked in favour of Jake Gordon for the run-on role against the Lions.
“Australia have an ace up their green-and-gold sleeve in the electrified presence of the hometown scrum half replacement, Tate McDermott,” he wrote.
“He was the most threatening number nine around the base throughout the Super Rugby series. Against Fiji he played in overdrive… with Gordon starting and McDermott, someone who can turn a game with the quickest of tap penalties, waiting to put the Wallaby foot down in the final 20 minutes.
“McDermott is a thrilling runner who has matured into a more rounded scrum half than the early head-down version. These days he scans for space, works for others — he is one of the liveliest customers on a mediocre Australian union scene, yet he doesn’t start ahead of Gordon.
“Could it be that Schmidt has a plan to win the game in the final quarter of the match? Could it be that, not necessarily through any fault of his own, Farrell’s plan to wallop the Wallabies from the first whistle is set to be sabotaged by starting, rather than finishing, with Furlong?
“All evidence suggests the Lions will blast their way through a weak looking opponent, but don’t be shocked if Schmidt has a few tricks to, at the very least, scare the unproven Lions.”
READ MORE: Joe Schmidt hints at British and Irish Lions ‘disrespect’ amid 3-0 whitewash confidence
