The Lions ‘speculation’ that Andy Farrell insists he understands on a day where he also waded into the ‘developmental’ referee debate
British and Irish Lions boss Andy Farrell
British and Irish Lions boss Andy Farrell has reacted to speculation that the team named to start against the Brumbies this Wednesday is the XV that he will face the Wallabies on July 19.
Farrell has also given his verdict on Australia’s performance in their narrow win over Fiji on Sunday, while there were also comments on claims that the TMO has been used too much so far on tour and fears that two of the three referees named for the Test series against the Wallabies are ‘developmental’ appointees.
Heading into match five of the 10-game tour, Farrell retained just a single starter from last Saturday’s underwhelming win over the Waratahs to face the Brumbies.
Having joined the tour late due to his involvement in Toulouse’s latest charge to the Top 14 title in France, Blair Kinghorn made his Lions debut in Sydney on the wing, but he now switches to full-back in a team where the other 14 starters have been changed.
“A closed book is not good for anyone…”
The announcement of the latest midweek XV ignited claims that this was Farrell’s preferred Test side, and that the selection will run on in Brisbane to face the Wallabies on July 19.
The head coach, though, insisted that wasn’t the case, stressing the importance of remaining open-minded about selection. “I understand the speculation,” Farrell began. “The truth of the matter is we have got a good side that is going to take the field on Wednesday, but I’ll tell you guys what I said to the team this morning.
“There is always going to be speculation, but it’s up to people to put their best foot forward for a Test spot from now on in as regards the chance they have got on Wednesday and Saturday.
“I suppose players can play themselves in and play themselves out, but what we are looking for is a cohesive team performance and that is at the forefront of what we are trying to achieve.”
Insisting the selection door remained open, he added: “The nature of the format of these two games allows for us to be open-minded. Again, we play on Saturday after this, and we have a full week’s worth of training (before the Wallabies). That is what everyone is used to anyway, so you have to stay open-minded; otherwise a closed book is not good for anyone.
“I wouldn’t say it [selection] is a blank slate; you have always got ideas, but again you need to leave wriggle room for things to unfold and make a judgement on what you see over the next couple of games.”
The flow of the Lions’ matches has been sluggish so far with numerous TMO reviews, an issue that also materialised in Australia’s match with Fiji. What does Farrell make of the regular interruptions?
“I suppose we want the right decision. I don’t think anyone wants to see a stop-start game. Everyone wants to see continuity, but I suppose any given game you could get a flow to that, or there might be some decisions or more decisions in any given game that need to be referred. I suppose getting the balance is key along the way.”
The head coach was also asked about the suggestion that two of the three referees appointed for the Test series – Andrea Piardi, who takes charge in Melbourne on July 24, and Nika Amashukeli, who is on the whistle in Sydney on August 2, were “developmental” appointments.
“Well, I wouldn’t say they are developmental in their eyes because they wouldn’t be selected for such a grand occasion which is the Lions, so we 100 per cent trust that,” he said.
As for his thoughts on how Australia performed in their 21-18 win over Fiji on Sunday, Farrell suggested: “I suppose they will be seeing it as a start, the first hit-out.
“I don’t think they would have been expecting it to be superhot or whatever. They have two weeks now to look at the pictures and make sure that they are ready for the first Test. That is what they would have wanted out of the game anyway. He [Joe Schmidt] wouldn’t have been showing all of his hand. He will have a few tricks up his sleeve.”
