Farrell happy to have Lions selection headaches for Wallabies Test
In their final assignment before next Saturday's first Test against the Wallabies at Brisbane, the Lions were clinical in a 48-0 rout, running in eight tries, three of them to Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe.
Advertisement
After an upset loss to Argentina in Dublin, then five straight wins since arriving in Australia, Farrell must now decide who makes his starting XV for the business end of the tour.
Plenty of players put their hand up on Saturday evening, with some tough calls now needed.
"That's exactly what we want, people putting their hands up," Farrell said.
"I just said to the players that selection is going to be unbelievably difficult.
"That's how it should be. I know that we've got a group that's as cohesive as it gets and they're all rowing together, no matter what, because it takes a squad to win a series," he added.
Advertisement
"The lads who get picked in the first Test, they'll be the lucky ones to represent the group, but they've also got to earn the right to keep that jersey for the second Test as well."
While a handful of positions will be locked in, injury worries have complicated matters.
Centre Garry Ringrose has been ruled out of the first Test after being placed in concussion protocols, while hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is also a doubt after a head knock.
Ringrose and Irish teammate Bundee Aki were shaping as the likely midfield pair, but it now seems Scottish counterparts Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu may get the nod.
Advertisement
With concern lingering over a knee injury to Scot Blair Kinghorn, Ireland's Hugo Keenan did his chances no harm in Adelaide of starting at fullback against Australia.
Who wears the number seven shirt is another conundrum for Farrell, with Jac Morgan of Wales, England's Tom Curry and Ireland's Josh van der Flier all in the mix.
"When we get to Brisbane, we'll have a coaches' meeting like we always do and discuss how the week is going to unfold," said Farrell.
"We train Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We'll get to a performance day on Wednesday and everyone will know where they're at."
mp/dh
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ryan Papenhuyzen responds after Storm ace linked with $2m move to rival code
Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has addressed the reports he is being chased by a European rugby league on big money with the star's contract running out at the end of 2026. Papenhuyzen is one of the most popular players in the NRL and raised eyebrows last year when he only signed a one-year extension to stay on at the Storm. The fullback would most likely attract big money offers from rival clubs if he becomes available. The Perth-based Bears could have the opportunity to make Papenhuyzen the first player in the game to break the $2 million barrier when they come into the comp in 2027 when they build their roster. Although it appears Papenhuyzen is also attracting interest from outside the NRL. The 26-year-old fullback has been linked to a northern hemisphere rugby union competition named R360. The Saudi-backed league is reportedly in the very early stages of development. Although players have reportedly been offered $2 million a season to join. Speaking on 100% Footy, Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler said Papenhuyzen was a potential target from the start-up rugby franchise. Papenhuyzen has been made aware of the reports and admitted most players would "have to consider" the huge money thrown at them. While the money was eye-opening, the Melbourne fullback remained coy on whether it was of interest of him to make a switch to rugby union. Instead he said he wasn't looking any further than aiming to win back-to-back competitions with the Storm. "I've just got a big focus for winning the premiership and hopefully going back-to-back next year and then we'll see, but you always look forward to your future and see what's happening," he said. "I'm sure my manager is doing a good job with that and has got it all under control." Coach Craig Bellamy has led the Storm to second level on points with the Bulldogs. They both sit two points behind the Canberra Raiders. Bellamy himself is yet to commit past the 2026 season having recently signed a one-year extension. With the introduction of the Perth Bears there has been plenty of speculation around the top NRL stars coming off contract. Papenhuyzen and Storm teammate Jahrome Hughes are both off contract at the end of 2026, coinciding with Perth's introduction the next year. Papenhuyzen does have a 'mutual' option at the Storm for 2027, meaning he can remain if both he and the club agree. Although it appears Papenhuyzen would be offered a serious contract boost from Perth as a key signing. The fact the fullback only signed a one-year extension last year suggests he wanted to keep his options open and see what eventuated with the expansion teams. Papenhuyzen spoke glowingly about the introduction of a new club, but admitted he was happy in Melbourne. 'Obviously, there's speculation whenever you're coming off contract, but I'm here right now, I want to win premierships with the Storm, we've got a really good squad and we're really doing something nice," he said in May. 'I'm sure when that time comes around my manager will be all over it. But for me, it's just getting back here and trying to be as present as I can here because if you're not present, you can see the results that happen like they did on the weekend.' And his teammate Hughes also suggested he would like to remain in Melbourne. 'I haven't looked too far ahead with that sort of stuff,' Hughes said when his future was put to him. 'I think my name's probably only up there because I'm off contract around that same time. 'I haven't really thought about it, and if I have it my way then I'll be here forever, so I might have to talk to 'J-Rod' about that. I don't really know what Perth's like. I heard it's a nice place, but I haven't thought about it at all.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Manny happy returns: Tim Tszyu reveals revenge mission
Steely-eyed Tim Tszyu is drawing inspiration from Manny Pacquiao as he strives to emulate boxing's incomparable legend and pen his own epic comeback tale. Tszyu will share top billing with Pacquiao when he fights, literally, to save his career in a mouth-watering world-title rematch with Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas on Sunday (AEST). While the Australian son of a gun's showdown with Fundora is the co-main bout on a star-studded PBC pay-per-view blockbuster at the MGM Grand, Tszyu knows he remains some way from matching Pacquiao's unrivalled record as an eight-division king. But Tszyu's career trajectory is otherwise eerily similar to the great Filipino's. Pacquiao may now be sitting pretty in boxing's hall of fame but, just like how Tszyu's back-to-back losses to Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev have placed the Australian superstar's career at a crossroad, only boxing aficionados remember he also suffered devastating successive setbacks before surging again. American Timothy Bradley Jr controversially stripped Pacquiao of his WBO welterweight strap in 2012 before Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez flatlined him six months later. Rather than throw the towel in, Pacquiao punched on and not only resurrected his reputation but thrust himself into sporting immortality with a succession of wins over Brandon Rios, Bradley in a rematch, Chris Algieri, Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman. He was already star in the boxing world but that second coming cemented Pacquiao's status as a global icon. Tszyu hopes he is on the same path to potential mega-money legacy fights with the likes of Jermell Charlo, Thurman and even possibly pound-for-pound champ Terence Crawford. "There's no such thing as a a successful story without failures," Tszyu said ahead of his date with destiny. "Yeah, a couple of bumps on the road doesn't mean you're completely out. "But this year is going be like a vengeance year. That's the word for me. "The starter was Joey Spencer (in March) and it's going to keep going and keep on rolling." Tszyu vividly recalls being a starry-eyed 14-year-old watching on at the MGM Grand, the iconic venue where he will square off with the "Towering Inferno" Fundora, when Pacquiao KO'd Miguel Cotto to reclaim the WBO strap in 2009. "Yeah, I was that little kid up in the top going 'Manny, Manny, Manny' and he gave me the little wave," Tszyu said. "So hopefully I can do that go back for the next generation and inspire the next person to be fighting at the MGM Grand one day." Knowing it's boom or bust, Tszyu insists he is no longer falling for the play of looking ahead to what - and who - is next. Fundora is his sole focus. "It's different feel about him this time around," he said. "I've had a whole different feeling towards this whole camp. I've literally paused everything in my life, all the external noise is just gone. "When you have that, it's an unbelievable feeling because when you're so obsessed with reaching a certain goal, that's all that there is in this life for me. "It's Fundora, by KO."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Reece Walsh's perfect response after Broncos try celebration sparks NRL debate
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has defended his audacious try celebration against the Titans after sparking debate around the NRL world about whether he should be performing backflips so soon after returning from a serious knee injury. Walsh turned heads in an eye-catching performance for Brisbane on Sunday that also included a heated on-field confrontation with teammate, Kotoni Staggs. But it was the decision to mark his stunning second half try with an acrobatic celebration that left many questioning the Brisbane No.1. And it was enough to give coach Michael Maguire heart palpitations after Walsh executed a manoeuvre that American gymnastics sensation Simone Biles would have been proud of. Walsh is a confidence player and the celebration was further proof that the livewire No.1's swagger is back, with some arguing it should be embraced by Maguire, rather than discouraged. But others insisted the Brisbane coach would be rightly concerned seeing his superstar fullback performing backflips when his leg is heavily strapped and he looks a little ginger after returning last month from a knee injury that kept him sidelined for six weeks. Calling the moment live on SEN League, former NRL star Justin Horo described the try celebration as 'a beautiful 10 out of 10'. But after seeing Walsh appear to prop awkwardly in his stride before running over to score, Horo admits his heart was in his mouth after witnessing the acrobatics that followed. "Considering the injury and the fact he looked like he was on a treadmill here because he looked like he'd done his hammy. I thought he'd done a soft tissue injury there," Horo said after Walsh briefly appeared to pull up lame before the tryline. "It's almost a perfect 10 out of 10 for the celebration if you're not factoring in that he's been out for the last six weeks with a PCL injury." Madge watching Walsh doing a backflip try cele with a bum knee — Harold Holt Memorial Pool (@champagnesftboi) July 13, 2025 I wonder how nervous Madge was when Reece Walsh was doing his post-try celebration#NRLTitansBroncos — James Cheeseman @ (@shaggy84329) July 13, 2025 But Walsh says he was just doing his bit for the NRL's Try July campaign, where every try celebration across the month sees $5000 donated towards either the the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation (ASCF) and the Player Hardship Fund. And he suggested the reaction to his celebration was blown out of proportion. "I don't mind mate, it's all for a good cause and I've been doing that stuff my whole life," he told ABC radio after the game. The Brisbane fullback also insisted there were no issues with Staggs after chastising his teammate for a first-half error, before the pair combined for Walsh's try. "I feel like it's my job to get him involved in the games and I feel like there's a few games there where I didn't do my job to unlock 'Tones (Staggs)," Walsh added. "And I feel like I've just got to keep building that connection with him and getting him that ball where he's good and it's awesome to see him playing some good footy." Some commentators thought Walsh's spray showed there might be fractures in the Broncos playing group. But others argued it simply showed that they care, as you hardly ever see disinterested players call out their teammates' mistakes. Broncos captain Adam Reynolds and coach Michael Maguire both stated it was completely normal in the heat of the moment. "We're trying to be perfect out there," Reynolds said after the game. "It's not always going to go to plan, but we're adults, we talk about a situation when it happens. Sure enough, they fixed it up and scored a long-range try so they're working hard, and it's always good to have that feedback on the field." RELATED: Roosters playmaker tipped to exit after being overlooked for veteran Fury over Panthers star's ban after Parra rival cops season-ending injury Knights offer contracts to two State of Origin players amid Ponga blow Maguire added: "Reece, he loves his footy and he's striving to continually be the best, and that's all the boys and that's the perfection they're chasing. Whether or not it's him trying to get the ball to him early or not, Reece does wear his heart on his sleeve and that's why we love him and the boys love playing with him."
