logo
Harry Potter to start for Wallabies against British Lions

Harry Potter to start for Wallabies against British Lions

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt backed Nick Champion de Crespigny to be the team's 'roving scavenger' on Thursday after handing him a shock debut in the opening British and Irish Lions Test at Brisbane.
Kick-off on Saturday is at 12:00 (SA time).
Hard man Champion De Crespigny, who spent three seasons at French side Castres before moving to the Western Force this year, gets his chance on Saturday with first-choice blindside flanker Rob Valetini not fully fit.
His elevation is an eye-opener, preferred to Tom Hooper, but Schmidt said he had no doubt about his abilities.
'I keep an eye on the Top 14 having coached there many years ago,' said Schmidt.
'Obviously Nick was playing for Castres and they'd been a high-performing team and so when he decided to come back he was immediately on the radar.
'The good thing with Nick, he's a good line-out option … he is probably a bit more of a roving scavenger than 'Bobby V', who in the past has been a big ball-carrier for us, and so he'll compliment Fraser [McReight] in that respect.'
He will pack down with skipper Harry Wilson and McReight in the back row, tasked with dominating the breakdown.
A head knock to Dave Porecki against Fiji opened the door to Matt Faessler's return as starting hooker, alongside veteran props Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper.
Slipper joins George Smith as the only players to feature for the Wallabies in back-to-back Lions series in the professional era.
With Will Skelton failing to shake off a calf injury, Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost retain their positions at lock.
Like Champion de Crespigny, Tom Lynagh has also leapt up the pecking order and will start at flyhalf, adding to his three caps, all as a substitute.
He will wear the No 10 shirt against the Lions 36 years after his World Cup-winning father Michael – a long-time Wallabies flyhalf and trusty kicker – did the same on their 1989 visit.
Ben Donaldson was initially seen as favourite to be playmaker when Noah Lolesio was ruled out of the series after a nasty neck injury during Australia's lacklustre 21-18 win over Fiji this month – the Wallabies' only warm-up Test.
While he made the bench, there was no room for veteran James O'Connor, who started all three Tests at flyhalf when Australia last hosted the tourists in 2013.
'I'm really excited for Tom,' said Schmidt.
'You wouldn't think that he's necessarily designed to run a game and dictate what's happening, but he does have a quiet confidence.
'He's fitted in really well this week, he has given us the confidence and the players the confidence that he's going to run the game really well for us.'
Jake Gordon is the preferred scrumhalf while Len Ikitau partners dynamic Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the centres.
Max Jorgensen is on the left wing, Harry Potter on the right and Tom Wright at fullback.
'The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what's going to be a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team,' said Schmidt.
'With the short runway leading up to such a big Test match, we know we must adapt fast and improve quickly from the performance we had against Fiji recently.'
Australia are heavy underdogs against a Lions side who have won all five tour matches so far.
15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Nick Champion de Grespigny, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Matt Daessler, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Springboks back in training ahead of Rugby Championship: Three focus points
Springboks back in training ahead of Rugby Championship: Three focus points

The Citizen

time15 minutes ago

  • The Citizen

Springboks back in training ahead of Rugby Championship: Three focus points

The Springboks will want to look at a few areas during their two-week training camp. Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard will likely play in every match until his younger counterparts nail their goal-kicking. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images After an encouraging, if not perfect, first four matches of the season, the Springboks will be getting down to business in their training camp ahead of the all-important Rugby Championship. Thirty-seven Springboks were included in the squad for the two-week camp in Johannesburg that started on Sunday. These will be eligible for the two Tests against Australia at Ellis Park on 16 August and in Cape Town on 23 August. Three U20 players, fresh from winning the World Rugby U20 Championship, are also attending the camp. It follows Bok wins against the Barbarians (54–7), Italy (42–24 and 45–0) and Georgia (55–10). These served as good warm-ups for the championship defence. But the Springboks will be focusing on a few areas of their game. Breakdown battle The Springboks recovered from the demolition they received in the breakdown battle in the first Test against Italy, but it was a whole new squad that evened things out against the 10th-ranked nation in the second Test in Gqeberha. The more experienced matchday 23 were at odds during the breakdown at Loftus. Though, to be fair, the Springboks were caught out somewhat by the referee's decision to allow Italy to flood the breakdown with players. Still, the team filled with World Cup winners could not adapt to Italy's strategy. They may need to relook at this. Who's kicking for posts? The Springboks were happy to kick for touch in the warm-up games, with their lineout and forward packs proving dominant. But it will not be so easy against the likes of New Zealand, Argentina and Australia. The Boks may need to take the three points on offer when they can. Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu finished the United Rugby Championship with 72.6% and 85.7% kicking success. However, the latter struggled against Georgia, only slotting one from five. Libbok, normally the less dependable goal-kicker, nailed five out of seven the week before. Still, Handré Pollard grasped his opportunities with both hands, once again proving the best post-kicker in the Springbok squad. He will likely either start or play from the bench in every match, but the other two will especially need to practice their goal-kicking. Imparting something to the U20 world champions While it won't be a focus point so much as a secondary objective, U20 loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead will need to soak up as much as they can on the camp. Already world champions with big-match temperament, Erasmus will likely only wish the youngsters to rub shoulders with their seniors to absorb some of the Springbok culture, and improve on their own game. According to former Junior Bok consultant Johan Ackermann, Hlekani especially needs to tighten his tackling.

Motau calls for patience after Banyana's poor showing at WAFCON
Motau calls for patience after Banyana's poor showing at WAFCON

The Citizen

timean hour ago

  • The Citizen

Motau calls for patience after Banyana's poor showing at WAFCON

'I think the way this tournament has gone is a testament to where the team," said Motau. Following Banyana Banyana's failure to defend their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, co-captain Amogelang Motau has called for patience, saying the new players are trying to find their feet. Banyana lost 2-1 to Nigeria in the semifinals, and they had to settle for a fourth-place finish after going down 4-3 on penalties to Ghana in the bronze medal match last Friday. The game was decided on penalties after the sides were deadlocked at 1-1 in regulation time at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. ALSO READ: No complaints from Ellis in Banyana defeat to Ghana The fourth-place finish was their worst since Desiree Ellis took charge of the team, having lost in the final in the 2018 edition before winning it in 2022. Following their poor showing in Morocco, Banyana have come under scrutiny from the South African football followers and the media, with some even calling for Ellis's sacking. 'Banyana will do better in March' Motau insists that the new crop of players needs time to gel. 'I think the way this tournament has gone is a testament to where the team is. Again, we're going through a transition, some players are retiring like Jermaine, and again, some people need to step up and take the positions of the players that have stepped up for this team for such a long time,' Motau told SAFA media. Motau says the team has changed Motau added that people should take note of the fact that the composition of the team has changed from the side that lifted a maiden WAFCON trophy in 2022. 'We must also remember that even the team that won it in 2022 were together for such a long time, and I think with the upcoming players, we're going to need time. I know that time is something we don't have at the national team, but we're going to need time to play together. I think that right now, the tournament went the way it went, but again, we have an opportunity in March to show up. And I think this tournament also showed us where we are and where the other teams are. This gives us time to prepare for the main ones so that we can qualify for the World Cup.' 'The new players have potential' 'I'll go back to the fact that it's a transition, so you need time for different combinations so that we can establish the chemistry of the players that were able to qualify for the World Cup and play in the World Cup. These are the players that have been playing together for more than six years, and we are talking about the likes of Fifi (Refiloe Jane) and Linda (Motlhalo). When I came into the midfield I almost felt like I was so lost because the two of them had so much chemistry, but with time I'm also getting there. I think with the group of players that are here, we have shown that they have potential and they're willing to get there. So, for me it's just more games together and more camps together and I think things will come together, we just need to be patient,' concluded Motau. ALSO READ: England hero Kelly overcomes 'dark moments' on way to Euro 2025 glory Banyana are expected to arrive in South Africa tonight after leaving Morocco on Sunday afternoon.

England hero Kelly overcomes 'dark moments' on way to Euro glory
England hero Kelly overcomes 'dark moments' on way to Euro glory

The Citizen

time2 hours ago

  • The Citizen

England hero Kelly overcomes 'dark moments' on way to Euro glory

England penalty hero Chloe Kelly said Sunday she had been unable to hold back the tears after finishing a roller-coaster... England's Chloe Kelly celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the shootout against Spain on Sunday. Picture: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP England penalty hero Chloe Kelly said Sunday she had been unable to hold back the tears after finishing a roller-coaster year in her career by scoring the spot-kick that allowed the Lionesses to beat Spain in the Women's Euro 2025 final. ALSO READ: Sub sinks Morocco as Nigeria are crowned African football queens The 27-year-old's penalty sealed a 3-1 shoot-out victory for England against Spain after the match in Basel had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time. England's Kelly's key impact She had earlier come off the bench late in the first half in place of the injured Lauren James with England trailing 1-0, and crossed for Alessia Russo to head in her team's equaliser. 'I just came on the pitch and wanted to make something happen,' said Kelly, who has made a habit of being a super-sub during the tournament. The Arsenal player came on as a substitute against Sweden and helped England recover from 2-0 down in a quarter-final they eventually won on penalties — Kelly scored in that shoot-out too. Then she scored the winner late in extra time in the semi-final against Italy, following in to net after her penalty had been saved. 'I know Alessia's strengths and I just tried to put the ball on her head, and then taking the penalty,' Kelly said. 'I actually missed three penalties in training yesterday but I think it's the belief in this squad, all 23 players and the people that you don't see behind the scenes, the staff members, to get us through this tournament. 'I am proud to be part of an amazing group of girls.' It is a familiar feeling for Kelly, who scored the extra-time winner when England beat Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2022 final in front of over 87,000 fans at Wembley. In between she was unable to change the game from the bench in the 2023 World Cup final, which England lost 1-0 to Spain in Sydney. 'Tough times don't last' Just a few months ago it seemed Kelly might not even make Sarina Wiegman's squad for the tournament in Switzerland, given her situation at club level. In January she asked to leave Manchester City, where she had been used sparingly in the first months of the season. Kelly wrote on social media that people at City had been trying to 'assassinate my character' and said her mental wellbeing had been affected. She then joined Arsenal on loan until the end of the campaign, and went on to play for them as they beat Barcelona in the Champions League final in May. 'There were a lot of tears at full-time especially when I saw my family because those are the people who got me through those dark moments,' Kelly said on Sunday. 'I am so grateful to be out of it but if that is a story to tell someone who maybe experiences something the same, then tough times don't last,' she added. 'Just around the corner was a Champions League final — I won that, and now a Euros final I have won that, so thank you to everyone who wrote me off. I am grateful.' Kelly recently signed permanently for Arsenal, where she also played earlier in her career, and will return to North London as a European champion at club and international level. 'Every player has their own story, and I think every story is incredible on its own, but her story is unbelievable,' said England coach Sarina Wiegman. 'I am so happy for her too. She has been fighting to come back to her highest level. ALSO READ: No complaints from Ellis in Banyana defeat 'She loved this moment, she just really wanted to take the penalty — to be able to score that penalty under that pressure is very impressive too.'

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