logo
‘He's a psycho': Wallabies back debutant after injuries cause chaos for Lions opener

‘He's a psycho': Wallabies back debutant after injuries cause chaos for Lions opener

The Age17-07-2025
The Wallabies have lost their most influential player for the opening Test of the British and Irish Lions series in Rob Valetini, but as far as teammates are concerned, the debutant replacing him is made of the right stuff to fill the considerable void.
'He's a psycho,' flanker Fraser McReight said. 'He loves contact.'
The debutant in question is tough Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny, who was a shock call-up to the Wallabies starting side after the Australian line-up was hit hard by injuries on the eve of the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday.
After 18 months of preparation, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was forced to take several 11th-hour gambles after key forwards Valetini (calf), Will Skelton (calf) and Langi Gleeson (cork) were all ruled out of the Suncorp Stadium clash, along with main five-eighth Noah Lolesio.
Tom Lynagh was confirmed in the No.10 jersey for his starting debut, and just his fourth Test. De Crespigny, 28, was also rushed into the starting side for a maiden Test appearance, and halfback Jake Gordon and hooker Matt Faessler were recalled after lengthy injury absences this season. There was no room for Taniela Tupou on the bench, with Tom Robertson preferred.
Schmidt said Valetini and Skelton were 'right on the edge' of being available for selection, and may have played if it was a deciding Test. But a cautious approach was taken, and the pair would be ready to play next week.
'The risk you take if you put those guys out there and they're not quite ready … you might end up worse off,' Schmidt said.
Schmidt said he admired Lynagh's calm demeanour, deceptively strong kicking game and the fact he is 'brave, almost to a fault'.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ryan Daniels: Inside Harley Reid's contract talks and the multi-million dollar offers on the table
Ryan Daniels: Inside Harley Reid's contract talks and the multi-million dollar offers on the table

West Australian

time5 hours ago

  • West Australian

Ryan Daniels: Inside Harley Reid's contract talks and the multi-million dollar offers on the table

It wasn't quite high-powered Wall Street execs in Armani suits, marching in to close a billion-dollar deal — but the stakes, in a footy sense, were just as high. Harley's Melbourne-based manager Nick Geischen rolled into town, and while he didn't utter the words 'Show Me the Money', he didn't need to. The phrase was emanating from his $24 million smile. It's been a hectic week in Harley-world, with a somewhat surprising shift in the situation. Earlier this year, the Eagles put forward multiple contract options to Harley's team. Three, five, seven-year deals — a pick-your-own-adventure approach. Nothing came of it. which had people thinking — he's gone. Even before the Eagles drafted him, there was talk Harley would bail. That the Eagles would be better off trading the pick. Victorian journalist Sam McLure now famously declared 'they won't pick him, Mitch (Cleary)' — suggesting West Coast would be better off passing on one of the most prodigious talents the draft has seen in years — just to avoid the inevitable messy exit. It's always been perceived as a matter of when Harley will leave, not if . Then, the twist. Geischen had come bearing gifts — a proposal for West Coast. An 11-year deal. $2.2 million per year, on average. $24 million all up. The largest deal in AFL history. More money per year than Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins. Unprecedented numbers across the board. While it sounds like monopoly money, in 11 years, $2.2 million won't be as crazy as it sounds right now. By then, Harley will be 32 and potentially edging out of his prime — but with the growth of the AFL's salary cap, he might end up a bargain at some stage. Remember, back in 1994 Alastair Lynch signed a ten-year deal for $1 million — at $100,000 per season, people lost their minds at the money. By the time Lynch retired, he was woefully underpaid. As part of this proposed deal, Harley would have the option to leave after two years. If not, he'd be here until the end of 2037. Let that sink in. In 2037 we might actually have flying cars and robot slaves. Or we'll be slaves to the robots. I'll be 54 years old. Bring me a pair of warm slippers, a glass of prune juice, and cap it off with a few episodes of Murder She Wrote. Maybe my idea of what it's like to be 54 is a little dated — but you get the point — 2037 is an eternity away. Harley's people bringing this to the table signals his intention to stay — if terms can be agreed. So, what's changed? Nothing, really. All along we've heard Harley, the Eagles, even his management declare the young midfielder was taking his time, happy in Perth. In recent weeks Reid's form has elevated, he's exhibiting an edge, leadership around the club. He's forming strong bonds with teammates. My understanding is he's told Andrew McQualter he wants to stay. At 20, he's living on his own, cooking, cleaning, he's got a dog. He's handling the media/fan pressure superbly. Some 20-year-olds can barely remember to flush the toilet. This kid is settled. Credit to the Eagles for an environment where a country kid from the other side of Australia feels comfortable, happy. Saying that, nothing is guaranteed here. The new proposal isn't quite a gun to the head, an ultimatum — but it's not miles off it. This is how keeping Harley Reid looks. If that's too rich, there will be other suitors. It's a fairly simple situation — other than the overwhelming commitment. That's the holdup, if there is one. No one saw this coming. Not even the Eagles. The deal, or at least the sheer enormity of it, has blindsided West Coast. They've taken a pause. In the month following the contract proposal landing in their inbox, there's been no response. Some meals take a lot longer to digest, and this is like going to a steak joint and being served an entire cow. Don't panic Eagles fans, they know what they have in Harley. They love him. If they believe they've found the sun which all other planets can rotate around, that he could be their Dustin Martin, their Patrick Dangerfield, then they need to do it. Maybe it's a slight variation of this proposed deal, a happy compromise, but they can't get too cute here. Harley could be the AFL's best player within a few years. Yes, a deal that long, with that kind of financial commitment comes with risk. In my opinion, it's a risk worth taking. This kid is special. He wants to be here and he's box office. After a disastrous four years at the West Coast Eagles, the signature of Harley Reid would be a significant victory and a sign that things might finally be turning around. Years of endless chat about a move back to Victoria for Harley, now the Eagles have a chance to keep their man. They just need to sign on the dotted line.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store