‘Take it to them, head on': Veteran's advice to Wallabies after almost shocking Lions
Beale's comments came as FNP coach Toutai Kefu said the side were motivated by the Lions vetoing the selection of Pete Samu, which Kefu labelled 'pretty poor' and he went on to say the former Wallaby back-rower would have made a potentially winning difference to the invitational side.
The FNP team turned in an inspiring performance after being widely written off, and with most pundits and bookies expecting them to get beaten by a cricket score.
But with just a week's training, the Kefu-coached team came within a whisker of handing the Lions their first loss of the tour. The FNP team trailed, and came back twice, in the first and second halves to get within a converted try of a victory, but ran out of time.
The performance was inspired by an aggressive, in-your-face physicality by the FNP squad – led Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Charlie Gamble – which hugely unsettled the Lions.
Asked post-game if that was the blueprint for the Wallabies to beat the Lions at the MCG on Saturday, Beale said: 'I think so; you need to take it to them, head on. There were some patches there where we had the momentum and the Lions were taking a back-foot step.
'It created opportunities for us. The boys, they love the physicality. I think playing rugby, you need physicality to lay the platform for your backs to play off, and they bring that.'
Beale was asked if he believed the Wallabies would have been inspired, and said: 'I hope so.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Wallabies look for another golden moment against British and Irish Lions
With the Tom Richards Cup on the line, the Wallabies will be counting on the golden army turning out in Melbourne, where rugby union carved out its own slice of history 24 years ago. In 2001, Australian rugby's governing body was stung into action by the red sea of Lions supporters, who flooded the opening Test in Brisbane, leaving the Wallabies feeling like they were at Cardiff Arms Park rather than the Gabba. Follow the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia on ABC Sport, including live blogs of all three Tests against the Wallabies. And they played like it, with the 1999 World Cup champions crashing down to earth with a 29-13 thud. "I was sitting there looking for glimpses of gold because it was a sea of red and then they started singing … so on and off the field, we got absolutely smashed, which was a massive wake-up call, and the media gave it to us with both barrels and said we'd let Australia down," former ARU (now Rugby Australia) boss John O'Neill told AAP. "We decided we really had to make sure the series was really competitive, at least 1-1 after Melbourne, and we had to make sure Wallabies supporters were seen and heard." With only a week before game two, Australian rugby set about "golding" the Docklands Stadium, and ironically, it was paid for in British pounds. A British tour operator had bought tickets that were meant to be sold in Australia, which the ARU looked to cancel due to the breach of contract. Brian Thorburn, then general manager of commercial operations, told AAP he smartly re-sold the tickets back to the operator at a higher price. "We basically said to the agent, 'Well, we've got sympathy for the 300 people you've sold to, but the facts are that you've got them cheap and outside the contract, so we'll sell them back to you at double the price,'" Thorburn recalled. "The profit we made essentially paid for all of the gold at both the Melbourne Test and the Sydney Test, so it was quite ironic that a British travel agent paid for all the gold." The ARU's marketing team brainstormed ways to make the Melbourne venue feel like home for the Wallabies — even trialling golden goal posts with kicker Matt Burke, before it was decided they were too distracting. "We put 'Go Wallabies' placards on every seat in the lower bowl, and we had 10,000 very flimsy gold scarves, which was all we could secure with three days' notice," Thorburn said. "We ensured every square inch of available signage was gold — we had a catch-cry of 'Be Bold, Wear Gold', and it was really a turning point." While they achieved their gold rush aesthetic, not everyone was happy — in particular the AFL, which was the ground's tenant, now owner. "We got these mylar cannons, and they blasted as the teams ran on and as we scored any try, and the result was gold glitter coming all over the crowd and on top of Poms drinking their beer," Thorburn said. "The CEO of the stadium, Ian Collins, gave me grief for years because they were still getting glitter out of the grass two or three years later because it was so small." The AFL could also be suitably miffed by the size of the crowd at the stadium for the second Test, with 56,605 squeezed into a venue that had a capacity of 56,347 — with the AFL's biggest ever crowd 54,444, set in 2009 at a St Kilda-Geelong match. Rugby's 2001 attendance record stood until the second 2013 Lions match, when 56,771 fans crammed in. This Saturday's second Test will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with a capacity of 100,024. At least 90,000 fans are expected to pack into the famous stadium, which would surpass the current Wallabies-Lions record of 84,188 set at Stadium Australia in 2001. While swathes of supporters will attend to support the tourists, it is something which this current Lions group is not taking for granted. The last tour was in 2021 to South Africa, played in front of no fans as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to plague the globe. After winning the first Test in Brisbane last Saturday, Irish prop Tadhg Furlong spoke to the media about what it meant to see thousands of people in red, supporting the Lions and rugby. "Class," Furlong said about the support in Brisbane. "Even the town … Thursday it filled up, you can feel it, everyone wears red. "I'm sure Canterbury [the jersey maker] are delighted with the sales of the stuff. Everyone seems to be wearing the kit, they wear their club hat or whatever. "It's why the Lions is special, it's not lost on us." AAP/ABC
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Veteran Lion Farrell's impact hailed ahead of 2nd Test
Owen Farrell's leadership skills have been saluted as the British and Irish Lions maintained their winning momentum heading into Saturday's crucial second Test against Australia. The Lions emerged from Tuesday's bruising collision with the First Nations and Pasifika XV with their 100 per cent record Down Under intact, but only after being forced to dig deep in a 24-19 victory. Farrell captained the Lions for the first time in the maiden start of his fourth tour and acquitted himself well, proving he is ready for the attempt to close out the series against the Wallabies at Melbourne Cricket Ground if needed. For 64 minutes he was part of a centre combination with Ringrose, who made a successful comeback from concussion to also put his hand up for the second Test. "It was actually pretty cool to get a chance to play with Owen, who is someone I have admired for my whole career, especially in that kind of dogfight-type game," teammate and centre Garry Ringrose said, "It was a challenging turnaround from the first Test with the travelling and then the captain's run. He didn't miss a beat in terms of leadership and bringing players with him. "When he talks, everyone listens. What he's saying is the right pitch and hits the spot every time. I could feel it out there as well. "That's not even talking about the rugby side of things - he has that ability at the line and physicality at the line when it's needed." Ringrose suffered his head injury against the ACT Brumbies on July 9, but it was only in the hours after the game that he realised all was not as it should be. "Something wasn't sitting right. I spoke with the doctor and he was really helpful and supportive over the next day," Ringrose said. "I didn't quite feel right so we made a call to enter the protocol and do what the medics and (coach) Andy Farrell wanted. "It's a tough decision to make, but they only want what's best for the player, so it is nice having that support."
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Under-fire Wallabies dismiss 'ridiculous' criticism
Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013. Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013. Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013.
