Aussie star Suaalii lies in wait as Lions campaign commences in Dublin
The British and Irish Lions get their campaign up and running against Argentina at Aviva Stadium on Friday night – but the three-Test series has got more daunting with cross-code superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in line to face Andy Farrell's side this summer.
The 21-year-old was recruited from rugby league side Sydney Roosters on a three-year-deal worth a reported Au$5.35million (€3m) and Suaalii made an immediate impact on rugby union during the autumn internationals with a star turn against England in Twickenham.
There were fears that the centre would have to sit out the series after he broke his jaw in a collision with New South Wales Waratahs teammate Andrew Kellaway in May. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in action for Australia. Pic:But Suaalii is on course to feature against the Lions, with head coach Joe Schmidt naming him in a 36-player squad on Thursday. The former Leinster and Ireland coach has also included giant La Rochelle lock Will Skelton.
But veteran out-half James O'Connor has missed the cut. The 34-year-old has endured no shortage of disciplinary issues in the past, but the talented Australian back had found his best form since a galvanising move to the Crusaders this season.
O'Connor played a prominent role for the Wallabies against the Lions 12 years ago, starting all three Tests in the No10 shirt. But Schmidt has opted for Ben Donaldson, Noah Lolesio and Tom Lynagh as his options at out-half for the warm-up Test against Fiji on July 6. James O'Connor playing with the Crusaders. Pic:'We've invested in three guys in that (No) 10 spot, and we felt trying to balance things up, we're going to keep investing in those guys,' said Schmidt.
'We didn't want to interrupt that. I'm not saying we got it right, I'm just saying that's what we chose to do.'
Western Force back-row forward Nick Champion de Crespigny and Brumbies winger Corey Toole are the only two uncapped players in the large squad while Ulster-bound loosehead Angus Bell, backrowers Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson and scrumhalf Tate McDermott are familiar faces.
Japan-based stalwarts Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete as well as Bordeaux No8 Pete Samu were all omitted. Australia head coach Joe Schmidt. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
'Selection is always tight and there'll be players who are excited and those that are disappointed,' Schmidt reasoned.
'As coaches, there was a lot of healthy, robust discussion and we think we've selected a group that will work hard and connect well as a squad.
'There's some continuity from last year, plus a few new or returning players, who have forced their way into the mix through strong performances in Super Rugby Pacific. 'This squad's immediate focus is Fiji, and we will need to hit the ground running having not been together since early January.'
The Wallabies play Fiji on July 6 in Newcastle.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
35 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes pour in as legendary Irish trainer Prendergast dies at the age of 92
Tributes have poured in from the racing world after the sad news broke of the death of legendary trainer Kevin Prendergast. Prendergast's remarkable career in racing began in 1963 when he secured his training licence. As the son of renowned trainer Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast, who achieved the distinction of becoming the first Irish-based trainer to claim the British championship in 1963, Kevin was destined for greatness. Throughout his illustrious career, Prendergast achieved significant milestones, including a 2000 Guineas win at Newmarket with Nebbiolo in 1977. He also secured two Irish 2000 Guineas victories, with his most recent triumph coming with Awtaad in 2016. Notably, Prendergast narrowly missed out on a Derby win when Madhmoon was edged out by half a length by Anthony Van Dyck in 2019. Jockey Chris Hayes, who formed a lasting bond with Prendergast, paid a heartfelt tribute to his former mentor. Hayes reflected on their close relationship, stating: "I started out calling him 'sir' and that moved on to boss and we had a very close relationship, especially in the latter years. He was like a father or grandfather figure and we spoke closely and candidly." Hayes continued, "I had the utmost respect for him. You could always ring Kevin at the drop of a hat and vice versa – he would have no problem ringing me even up to last week telling me if I had given one a good ride or a bad ride. I'd always enjoy ringing him up for a chat. "The term legend is thrown about a bit loosely in this age and generation, but there is no other way to describe him." Jockey Chris Hayes shares poignant memories as he reflects on his longstanding partnership with renowned trainer Kevin Prendergast, describing their final race together: "I had a second for him last week (aboard Glory To Be at Cork) and I was desperately hoping that our last ride together as it transpired would be a winning one, but we at least went out all guns blazing." A sense of an era drawing to a close was palpable as Hayes recounted the connection he felt with Prendergast, "I had a good chat with him afterwards and was actually planning to go in and sit on a few horses for him tomorrow so it's a sad day and I'm a little bit numb as I've known nothing but him in racing, it's a real end of an era." Reminiscing over their accomplishments, Hayes holds their Curragh triumph nine years ago with Awtaad close to his heart, stating "Hayes' first Group One success for Prendergast was La Collina, but it is memories of their Classic success together at the Curragh nine years ago with Awtaad which the 37 year old treasures most from their long association." He recalled the milestones with emotional clarity, highlighting the unique bond between horse and jockey: "La Collina was my first Group One winner for Kevin, but Awtaad was the first horse that was mine – I inherited La Collina from Declan McDonogh." Their time together was marked by many high points, as Hayes noted, "Obviously there were also some great days with Madhmoon who came after Awtaad. But Awtaad's Guineas was phenomenal." Elaborating on the unforgettable moments, Hayes remarked, "It was the old Curragh and the cheer we got on the way in, I haven't heard one like it since." Chris Hayes further emphasised the deep respect and admiration that surrounds Kevin Prendergast, saying, "I've been around a while and I never heard a cheer like that before that either and that cheer was all for Kevin and solely Kevin. People say it was for us, but it wasn't, it was for Kevin." Paying tribute to Prendergast's stature in the racing community, Hayes concluded, "He's a legend around Kildare and a legend in the racing game and people were 10 deep around the winner's enclosure desperate to congratulate him. "When I got the news this morning I couldn't help but look back through some pictures from that day in the car. We had some phenomenal times together and today is a sad day." Shadwell's racing manager, Angus Gold, reflected on the loss saying: "It's the end of an era and he was one of the great men of my lifetime, we had some wonderful days together. "He was a huge character firstly, a consummate horseman and the horses invariably won best turned out. He was just a very good trainer. "It was spectacular to see Awtaad win the Guineas and then he had Madhmoon nearly win the Derby, which he took very phlegmatically. "The amount of stories he had, I used to love my mornings on the gallops with him. He knew what was going all around the world as he had daughters living abroad. "He'd seen it all, been there and done that. I went to see him about two months ago. He hadn't been very well last year but had made a remarkably recovery and was still sharp as a tack." Born in Australia on 5 July, 1932, Prendergast received his education in Ireland and then started his racing career down under, becoming head lad to top trainer Frank Dalton. After three years, he returned home to carve out a reputation as a leading amateur rider and began working alongside his father as an assistant trainer. In 1963, after five years, Prendergast decided to go it alone and he didn't have to wait long for his first success, with Zara winning at Phoenix Park in May of that year. His first Classic gold came in 1972 when Pidget won the Irish 1,000 Guineas, before adding the Irish St Leger to her achievements later that year. Prendergast then trained the likes of Conor Pass (1973) and Oscar Schindler (1996 and 1997) to win two more Irish Legers, while Arctique Royal gave him another 1,000 win and Northern Treasure secured his first Irish 2,000 Guineas in 1976. Top-drawer juveniles like La Collina, Miss Beatrix, Termagant and Kingsfort also add to the sense of longevity that Prendergast enjoyed in his career. One of the most consistent trainers in Ireland, Prendergast celebrated his 2,000th career winner in 2010. Not only was he an exceptional horse trainer, but he also worked with jockeys such as Hayes, Gary Halpin and Declan McDonogh. The legendary Kieren Fallon began his riding career with Prendergast, serving as an apprentice from 1982 to 1987 before moving on to become a six-time champion jockey.
Irish Examiner
35 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Passing the torch of legendary Irish Olympian's former West Cork home
THE torch is about to be passed on at the one-time West Cork home of former and great Irish Gold Medal Olympian athlete Bob Tisdall — 'The Irish Wonder' — who left his mark on Westerly Lodge in more ways than one — including extensively planting its array of trees in its the avenue and acres of grounds. Home are the heroes: Gold medal winners hurdler Bob Tisdall and Dr Pat O'Callaghan (hammer) arrive back in Cork in September 1932 Possibly one of Ireland's most colourful of athletic champions who lived the fullest of lives and careers around the world, Bob Tisdall set a world record, sub-52 seconds in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics 400m hurdles— just one of the highlights of a career that saw him live in places as diverse as Ceylon, Nenagh (his mother's birthplace), Tanzania, and Queensland Australia … as well as here, at Adrigole on the Beara Peninsula, near some of the loveliest lengths of the Wild Atlantic Way. Westerly Lodge and cottage has a great track record Tisdall's tenure at the early 19th century Westerly Lodge is put at the 1960s, when he planted much of the ground with evergreens, a mix of pines, cedars, spruce, along with its cover of mature beeches and purple flowering rhododendrons, reflecting perhaps his 'official' training in agriculture and forestry. Green for gold Trees and training? Prior to Tisdall's Olympic success, he'd 'trained' by running around an orchard while living in a disused rail carriage after packing in his job having worked in India and travelling widely for a Maharajah of Baroda. Later, he worked on a coffee plantation in Tanzania, before upping sticks for a farming life in Australia where having briefly ran with the Olympic torch at the Sydney Olympics aged 93, he died aged 97 years, following a bad fall on rocks: an Irish hipster before his time? Hipster Bob Tisdall had a fascinating career, or careers, remaining active up to his 90s Waverly Lodge later passed into the hands of a couple who kept it for 40 or so years before its current owners, Dublin-based and now vendors after two decades care and much rehabilitation acquired it in 2007, then in need of considerable work. At first the family who'd fallen for the beauty of the unspoiled Beara as a holiday destination and who saw huge appeal and scope at then down-at-heel Westerly, lived in the smaller of the two dwellings here, a c 1,000sq ft cottage. They did it up, adding creature comforts, upgrading the wiring and plumbing, adding central heating, double glazing and 'making it a cosy place to live'. Later, they went larger: The main house hadn't been lived in for years, so they tackled that, reroofing and upgrading from top to bottom for a c 2,200 sq ft main residence, with a set of five Velux rooflights added over the first floor windows to flood the top floor of the tree-ringed home with light. They 'traded-up' and moved in in 2016, then using the cottage for family visitors and other guests, while the woman of the house who's an artist created a first floor art studio, also light-flooded, above a garage. The family say they have loved the years since here at the mix, all on six acres too, down for summer months and regular year-round visits but now feel it's time to sell on, 'to pass on the baton'or torch, while it's in such great shape. It's just listed for sale with agent Sean Carmody of Charles P McCarthy based in Skibbereen who guides the entire property at €1.1m and who says its 'an outstanding period property, with detached cottage and studio, as well as a number of pre-Famine era cottages (ironically in a scenic setting below the Beara's brooding Hungry Hill), some roofed and in various states of repair'. Olympic champions Bob Tisdall and Dr Pat O'Callaghan feted in Cork in '32 Simple corrugated sheeting is on some of the old cottages, other need similar simple remedies to stabilise them, whilst the gutted, reinstated, and reroofed main four-bed 'lodge' 'is in excellent condition and exudes a lovely warmth and character,' says Mr Carmody, adding the decor 'combines neutral colours, light-toned flooring and painted ceilings — it achieves a minimalist aesthetic that remains warmly inviting'. VERDICT: Having taken on a renovation challenge in 2007, the vendors much-loved home on the lesser trafficked Beara peninsula is one for the well-heeled to do some serious running after.
Dublin Live
38 minutes ago
- Dublin Live
Gardai issue advice as thousands to descend on Dublin this weekend
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gardai have urged people to contact them if they "feel unsafe" in Dublin this weekend as thousands are set to descend on Dublin. They have also urged people to plan their journeys well in advance as roads and public transport are set to be packed in the capital. Outside of regular duties this weekend, gardai will be assisting at: Three sold-out Zach Bryan concerts in the Phoenix Park (Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings) The British and Irish Lions v Argentina game at the Aviva Stadium (Friday evening) Four GAA matches in Croke Park (Saturday/Sunday afternoons) The sold out Mary Wallopers concert in Fairview Park (Friday evening) The sold-out Kingfishr concert in Fairview Park (Saturday evening) Two planned public gatherings in Dublin city centre (Sunday afternoon) Gardai have also advised people to anticipate rolling road closures, which will have a likely effect on public transport such as Luas and Dublin Bus services, during the two planned protests on Sunday afternoon. They say they will have its full traffic management plan in place to keep the disruption to a minimum. Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Paul Cleary said: "This weekend is packed with lots of activity and with the summer weather also looking promising, we look forward to helping to welcome thousands of people into Dublin to make the most of their weekend. We want you to enjoy yourselves if socialising or attending any one of the exciting sporting and music events happening in the city, but to please be mindful of others and how your behaviour may impact their experience. "This summer's public events would not be able to go ahead were it not for the Gardaí that will be working above and beyond this weekend and for the remainder of the summer to keep people safe. Should you feel unsafe or need our assistance in any way over the weekend, please contact us or stop anyone of us on our high-visibility patrols across the city, and in an emergency or immediate danger always dial 999/112." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
