Australia flanker Valetini misses final Lions Test
Influential Australia flanker Rob Valetini misses out on the third and final Test against the British and Irish Lions as the Wallabies look to avoid a series whitewash in Sydney on Saturday.Valetini made a significant first-half contribution in the 29-26 second Test defeat in Melbourne but was withdrawn at the interval and is now not involved in the matchday squad as he manages a calf problem.Elsewhere, head coach Joe Schmidt makes a handful of changes as the Wallabies attempt to recover from a "gut-wrenching" late defeat in Melbourne.The experienced Nic White, who has announced his retirement from international rugby, starts at scrum-half, while imposing prop Taniela Tupou comes in at tighthead for his first appearance of the series.After a meek first Test performance in Brisbane, the Wallabies were markedly improved a week later, rushing into a 23-5 lead before the Lions came back to seal the series in dramatic fashion at the MCG.
"It was an incredibly deflated group (after the defeat)," Schmidt said."And Tuesday it was tough to get them off the campus. It was almost like a grieving process over the first few days. But they have started to gather momentum in the back half of the week and will be ready to go again on Saturday."
Dylan Pietsch replaces the injured Harry Potter on the left wing, while back row forward Carlo Tizzano, who was involved in the controversial ruck at the end of the game involving Lions flanker Jac Morgan, is not part of the squad.Tizzano has been criticised for his reaction to the collision with Morgan, and Schmidt says he has endured a difficult few days following the incident."He's copped a lot of online abuse this week," added Schmidt."In defence of Carlo, just over 54 Gs of force - direct force - went through his neck, which is enough to cause serious injury, although not to a rugby player as well conditioned as Carlo."But he's probably left to take a deep breath. I think we are all aware of Newton's third law - for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction. When that force hits him and the speed of his head collapsing down, he recoiled out of the back of the ruck."I don't think he wanted to recoil like that but that's the nature of force. I think for Carlo it's better he sits this one out."We weren't sure about him on Tuesday - he was pretty sore - but he was great today and back to the irrepressible character he is."Schmidt revealed White spoke to him last week about his retirement, but said his selection is not based on sentimentality, citing the strength of his kicking game in what are expected to be wet conditions."I'm not a sentimentalist - it's a Test match," Schmidt said."It's a decision we made believing Nic can do the job. Nic has an excellent kicking game and the confidence of the players, he played well against Fiji and against the British and Irish Lions for the Western Force."As for Valetini, his absence was described as "precautionary", with Schmidt citing Australia's busy international schedule following the Lions series."He's not right this week", Schmidt said. "It is the same injury and it just tightened up. It was precautionary bringing him off and it is probably precautionary not playing him this weekend."While Valetini's ballast at the back of the scrum will be missed, the return of the massive Tupou will give the Wallabies a power boost.The 23st Tupou has struggled for form and confidence of late, but has the potential to be one of the most destructive props in the game. He starts in place of the injured Allan Alaalatoa.Schimdt said: "We are hopeful Taniela can bring us a real burst of energy, because I think one of the reasons we've made a few changes is that when everyone is as flat as they were, just bringing a few newer guys in it just freshens things up and those guys know it is an opportunity for them."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Itoje leads Lions on history chase with echoes of former Sydney glories in air
As the 2025 British & Irish Lions prepare for their last hurrah there are distant echoes of former glories in the damp Sydney air. A highly respected English lock forward leading out a history-chasing team in the same stadium which staged the 2003 Rugby World Cup final? It is not the worst of precedents for Maro Itoje as he and his modern-day Lions await their third and final date with destiny. Itoje and his squad would also dearly love to rekindle memories of another significant contest in this city. The decisive concluding Test of the 2013 Lions series was a classic example of a touring side saving its best until last, with a tiring Wallaby side eventually losing 41-16 after a certain assistant coach called Andy Farrell had urged the players to take their hosts to 'the hurt arena'. This time around, among other things, Farrell has been invoking the never-say-die ethos of the Irish boxer Katie Taylor, who was asked to record a few motivational words for the Lions. 'Prepare to win by skill but be ready to win by will,' was Taylor's pithy message and, despite the likelihood of wet conditions, Farrell is keen for his team to tick both boxes en route to a 3-0 series whitewash. Australia will have other ideas, of course, but even their head coach, Joe Schmidt, has acknowledged their agonising near miss in Melbourne last Saturday has been tough for his squad to absorb. The series is already gone, the influential Rob Valetini is sidelined again and they are up against opponents who still have a collective glint in their eyes. To make matters worse, the Wallabies have also been enduring further disruption on the eve of the game with Brandon Paenga-Amosa called up as emergency cover at hooker following injuries to Dave Porecki and Matt Faessler. When it rains as pours, as has very much been the case in a soaking Sydney over recent days. Whichever combinations are wearing gold, though, it will not affect the visitors' stated objectives. They want to fly home as the first Lions squad since 1927 to win every game of a multi-Test series, although the legendary 1974 team did famously claim three wins and a draw against the Springboks. There is clearly a debate to be had about whether beating a moderate Wallaby team compares, say, with outclassing South Africa at altitude but, either way, a 3-0 winning margin would stand the test of time. Emotionally, certainly, there remains much to play for. On the eve of the game, Itoje had his match jersey presented to him by Kate Hardman, who has been diagnosed with incurable breast cancer but is travelling around Australia in a camper van with her husband and three children, seeking to make family memories that will never fade. If that story doesn't heighten the Lions' desire to create a few last golden moments of their own, nothing will. And the more you think about it, the more a clean sweep would also mean to several squad members who have also had to overcome assorted challenges to reach this point. Andrew Porter, for example, was 12 when he lost his mother to cancer and subsequently had to battle mental health issues including an eating disorder. Four years ago, having achieved his lifelong dream of being picked for the Lions, he was injured before departure and was unable to tour South Africa. Among the things that have kept him going is a quote written down by his mum before her death. 'Do work you believe in, believe in what you do. Everything else is a waste of time.' For him and his family this tour has been the most heartwarming of postscripts. Everything is clearly relative but a place in the record books would also be something special for Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, Huw Jones and Blair Kinghorn, all of whom have spent periods of the last year battling injuries which tested their resolve. Ditto Hugo Keenan and Tommy Freeman, who was struggling with a back injury on Friday, both late developers not obviously heading for Lions greatness in their teens. And not forgetting Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park, for whom the notion of wearing a red Lions jersey was never even on their radar. Sprinkle all these individual plotlines into the same crusading narrative and their shared power has been significant. The Lions could have folded at 23-5 down in Melbourne but, even in their darkest moments, the squad's competitive spirit has never wavered. This is also not a squad who are mentally already on the beach; the hosts may be in for another tough day regardless of the weather. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Admittedly the Wallabies did raise a smile by turning up for their pre-game team photo in fake moustaches in tribute to their retiring scrum-half Nic White, but it would be no laughing matter should the Lions get ahead early this time and stay there. White's box kicking, though, may prove useful in the conditions while the Exeter-bound Tom Hooper will want to make an impact in Valetini's absence. Hooper hails from Australia's self-proclaimed toughest town (Bathurst, in case you're ever passing) and, along with the colossal Will Skelton, offers a steely physical edge that Australia will definitely require. Even that, however, may not be sufficient if the Lions still have some collective gas left in the tank. Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Curry, Gibson-Park, Tadhg Beirne and Finn Russell would all be candidates for inclusion in a composite matchday 23 drawn from the last three Lions tours and one more command performance could yet elevate a couple more into that category. It is also increasingly hard to dispute Farrell's credentials as an all-time Lion king, capable of pressing performance buttons that other coaches struggle to reach. Even his captain, who used to attend the same Hertfordshire school as Owen Farrell, has been increasingly fascinated by Farrell Sr's instinct for what makes a rugby player tick. 'I don't know if it is a surprise but it has reaffirmed that he's just an impressive character,' stressed Itoje. 'He's a brilliant orator, he holds the room and is a great motivator of men. He's also quite thoughtful. Probably what has surprised me is how hot on detail he is. He is very particular on detail and how the week flows, which is very good from a players' point of view. I've enjoyed the experience.' All that remains now is to drag the Wallabies back into the hurt arena one last time.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Australia's Ashes nemesis Stuart Broad finally admits to CHEATING as he prepares for shock new role that not every cricket fan will be happy with
Australia 's Ashes enemy Stuart Broad may be long retired, but he is coming Down Under again anyway in a new role to torment local cricket fans. Broad is set to join Channel Seven 's commentary team for the 2025-26 Ashes series that commences from November 21. While he is a big name that will join the likes of Aussie Test champions Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, many Aussies will have a long memory about the time the Broad didn't walk. Stuart Broad chose not to walk after edging to first slip during the first Test of the 2013 Ashes at Trent Bridge, remaining at the crease despite knowing he was out. The umpire gave him not out and he went on to score an unbeaten 65, helping England win the match by 14 runs. Broad's decision sparked fierce backlash, especially from parts of the Australian media and former players who accused him of violating the spirit of cricket. West Indies great Michael Holding publicly demanded that Broad be banned, calling his action 'contrary to the spirit of the game'. Then, in the return series in Australia, News Corp‑owned newspapers led a campaign dubbed the 'Broad Ban', which amplified criticism and mockery of his decision in the press. Broad has consistently stated he has no regrets, famously saying 'I wouldn't change it for anything' because the extra runs helped England win the match. He has described the controversy as overblown and believes much of it stemmed from Australian frustration at losing the game. Broad has also noted that not many modern players consistently choose to walk, and that the umpire's decision must stand. But speaking in commentary with English star Michael Atherton during the final Test between England and India, Broad finally admitted he would cop being called a cheat for his actions at Trent Bridge 12 years ago. 'Well, Stuart, just to reflect on a bit of news that emerged from Down Under overnight that seems to have gone down like a bucket of sick with the locals, namely that you're going to be commentating on one of the local channels in the Ashes,' Atherton said on Sky Sports. 'Just a reminder of how popular you are down there, the Brisbane Courier Mail, that couldn't bring themselves to put a photo of you on the front page and then called you a smug, pommy, cheat, Broadban. 'Are you looking forward to going down to Australia this winter to commentate on the Ashes?,' Broad laughed and said he can agree with the 'Pommy and cheat' bit, but he doesn't think he is 'smug.' 'Well, I sort of obviously agree with the pommy and the cheat bit, but I don't think I'm smug,' he said. Broad said that he was looking forward to being part of The Ashes on the other side of the camera and was expecting one of the tightest series yet on Australian soil. 'Incredible commentary lineup to be a part of, brilliant cricket brains ... have worked with Ricky quite a bit and worked with Haydos on the World Test Championship Final,' he said. 'So really respect their views on the game and what's going to be, in my opinion, one of the most exciting Ashes series action series for a long time. 'I think both teams are matched up quite nicely. Obviously, Australia have had the better of England for a long time, over in Australia, but England are coming with a pretty strong team.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Australia vs British & Irish Lions live: Latest score and updates as tourists chase historic whitewash
The British and Irish Lions go in search of an historic 3-0 whitewash of Australia as they take on the Wallabies in Sydney. The third and final Test arrives at the end of a long tour with the tourists still unbeaten since arriving on Australian soil after a dramatic victory at the death last weekend. Hugo Keenan's try snatched a win in the final moments at the MCG after a spectacular occasion, securing the series for the Lions - with the hosts left to rue a contentious refereeing call and their own errors as they let a big lead slip. It leaves nothing, officially, on the line as the two teams tangle again but the Wallabies will hope to salvage some pride, plus instil hope among their fans that Joe Schmidt's side are on the up. For the Lions, meanwhile, this is a chance to fulfil their ambition of being remembered as one of the great touring sides and complete a clean sweep for the first time in nearly 100 years. Australia vs Lions live Australia host the British and Irish Lions in the third Test in Sydney | Live on Sky Sports with kick off at 11am BST Lions have secured the series and are seeking a 3-0 whitewash The Wallabies are hoping to salvage pride after a tough defeat last weekend Australia vs British and Irish Lions Yes, history is within reach for Andy Farrell's men - but they probably need to win and win well today to really mark themselves out as a great Lions side, something that has been their stated ambition since coming together. The unique Lions challenge standing between Andy Farrell and history With a historic 3-0 success within reach, the Lions will hope to sign off in style in Sydney Harry Latham-Coyle2 August 2025 07:00 Australia vs British & Irish Lions live With the Test series secure, the British and Irish Lions are hunting history as they take on the Wallabies for the final time in Sydney. Can the tourists secure a 3-0 clean sweep to really cement their legacy? Or will Australia hit back having come so close in Melbourne last week? Kick off is at 11am BST. Harry Latham-Coyle2 August 2025 01:14
