What the Wallabies have to get right against Fiji
Scrum coach Mike Cron is so well regarded as a disciple of square, technically correct scrummaging that he has previously been employed by World Rugby as a consultant. The implication is that Cron's teams scrum properly – no mucking about or games.
Given the Lions' scrum issues on the tour so far, the Wallabies have the chance to show against Fiji that they want it to be a contest and they want to back themselves, and that any issues during the Test series will be coming from the Lions. Taniela Tupou lost the refs in Super Rugby Pacific. They were never really convinced that his occasional dominance was above board, and we saw the Lions repeatedly penalised against the Reds for the same crime – the tighthead angling inwards. Angus Bell has to go forward in the No.1 jersey and plant that positive perception in the minds of the match officials.
3. Test the fringes
Picking holes in this Lions team isn't easy – they have so many big and dynamic men. But with that in mind, it has been surprising to see some of their defence around the fringes of the ruck. That has been borderline lazy during the games against the Force and Reds. It is something for the Wallabies to explore.
There have been a few occasions when the Lions forwards have been slow to get back into the defensive line around the ruck, and Wallabies halfback Tate McDermott's eyes must be lighting up. If there are opportunities for the Wallabies' big men to go to work in tight against Fiji, they need to take them.
4. Close down the space at No. 10
Lions No. 10 Finn Russell will cut most teams to shreds if given enough time and space. He punished the Reds when they became a bit passive in Brisbane on Wednesday. Teams in this part of the world are typically not big on the rush defence, but the Wallabies are either going to have to make a complete mess of the Lions' ruck or get off the line faster than normal to negate Russell.
The primary concern, by far, for the Wallabies is Lions halfback Jamison Gibson-Park getting quick ball to Russell to give him time to choose his runners – because those runners will be coming in numbers against the Wallabies. The Lions use No.13 Garry Ringrose as their line speed missile, but it doesn't have to be the No.13. The great Welsh side of a decade or so ago used No.12 Jamie Roberts as their way of putting pressure on the No.10, and the Wallabies have Len Ikitau - one of their best decision makers.
5. Breakdown control
Loading
The most disappointing performance on the Wallabies' end-of-season tour last year was the 27-13 loss to the Scots in Edinburgh because the visitors never really got their game going. Scotland caused a lot of issues at the breakdown, where they are particularly strong, and the Lions can deliver the same pain due to the number of scavengers they had selected in the back row.
Super Rugby-quality carries and cleans won't cut it against the Lions: the Wallabies have to be aggressive and accurate here against the Fijians - or perhaps count their blessings that they have one Test to blow away some of the cobwebs.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Brumbies brothers join forces in bid to be Lion tamers
Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
Brumbies brothers join forces in bid to be Lion tamers
Tom Hooper will be joined by his brother Lachie when the Brumbies take on the touring Lions. (Andrew Cornaga/AAP PHOTOS) Tom Hooper will be joined by his brother Lachie when the Brumbies take on the touring Lions. (Andrew Cornaga/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP Lachie Hooper's debut game for the ACT Brumbies, against the might of the British and Irish Lions, will be his first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother Tom. But it could also be the pair's last game together in Brumbies colours. Lachie, 21, will start on the bench in Canberra on Wednesday night after being handed his debut by coach Stephen Larkham. It's Wallabies flanker Tom's final appearance before he departs for English-based team Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "He's amazing when he goes on the field," he said. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Also receiving his Brumbies debut against the Lion will be prop forward Cameron Orr, who will also start from the bench. The 30-year-old was drafted from the Seattle Seawolves in the US Major League Rugby competition for the game, but has a wealth of Super Rugby experience with the Western Force and the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds, the British and Irish Lions put out there. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We don't know who we're playing against at this stage, we don't know what their selection is. But we feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "You'd like to think that the Waratahs had that little bit of extra preparation watching those other games. They came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal.
West Australian
8 hours ago
- West Australian
Western Force's Simon Cron, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy named in AUNZ invitational side
Having already impressed against the British and Irish Lions, a pair of Western Force starters — and their coach — will get a chance at an encore in Adelaide this week. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy will be the Force representatives named in the AUNZ squad to face the Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in their final tune-up before the Wallabies Tests begin. Force coach Simon Cron will also serve as an assistant to departing Reds and incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss. The AUNZ invitational squad, which features players from both Australia and New Zealand, was officially unveiled today following the drip-feeding of several members over the past month. Hooker Paenga-Amosa, who had an injury-affected first season out west, showed his class against the Lions in the Force's clash with them at Optus Stadium. The Wallabies front-rower helped the Force turn the tables on the Lions' scrum and after he missed out on selection for Australia's squad to face Fiji, Paenga-Amosa will have another chance to catch Joe Schmidt's eye. Grealy's selection comes after his impressive showing against the Lions, where he repeatedly threatened with the ball in hand. The outside back finished the match with a team-high 71 carry metres and nine broken tackles. Eight All Blacks have been named in the 30-man squad, and a host of Super Rugby Pacific-based Kiwi stars have also been included, such as Hoskins Sotutu. There are also nine former Wallabies in the side, including Darcy Lancaster, who impressed for the Waratahs against the Lions over the weekend and has been linked with a move to the Force. Two-time John Eales Medalist Marika Koroibete has flown in from Japan for the game after the winger struggled to impress Schmidt for the Wallabies last year.
