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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Lions clean up the breakdown and what else we learned from first Test win over the Wallabies
Breakdown It had been an issue for the Lions in the matches ahead of the first Test but after an early reminder of Fraser McReight's prowess the tourists were precise and authoritative in their clearing-out, thereby guaranteeing quick ruck ball. The upshot is that they were able to get their big ball carriers over the gain-line with ease and didn't allow Australia to breathe in hustling to try to realign in defence. The ideal is three-second ruck speed but for most of the first half the Lions would have enjoyed even quicker possession. Tadhg Beirne led his team in slowing down or nicking Wallaby possession at the breakdown with three turnovers ably supported by Tom Curry, Jack Conan and Maro Itoje in particular. In the final quarter the tourists were less effective, and the Aussies scored two tries as they started to win the collisions and get that quick ball. Kicking game Jamison Gibson-Park 's box-kicking was stunning, both in accuracy and giving the kick/chase line time to get up and contest the ball in the air. It proved a potent attacking weapon for his side that more often than not allowed his team to regain possession, especially when tapping the ball down. The Lions had identified where the Aussies would try to hide outhalf Tom Lynagh in the backfield and rained kicks down on him. The Lions scrumhalf also got great distance in his clearing kicks and in general terms took all the head off Finn Russell. Finn Russell converts Dan Sheehan's try. Photograph:The Scot did contribute with some well-judged diagonal punts, but he will be disappointed with a cross-kick that should have led to a try for Joe McCarthy . He needed a sand wedge ball flight rather than three-iron as Ronan O'Gara pointed out in commentary. There were a couple of miscues from the back three but none were costly. READ MORE Set piece There could not have been two more diverse outcomes in terms of the end products. Dan Sheehan was flawless in his throwing as the team won all 11 when he was on the pitch and they even managed to bag a couple of the Aussie lineouts with Tadhg Beirne nicking one. While the Aussies did return the favour late-on, the Lions' lineout was a well-oiled machine that provided the consistent source of possession and an opportunity to tie in the Wallabies as was evidenced in the build-up to the Tom Curry try. The Lions' scrum, which has been so dominant in the matches leading up to Brisbane, will require a pointed, post-match review as they coughed up a few penalties and a freekick. Referee Ben O'Keeffe gave each team a freekick for early engagement to try to get some stability but thereafter pinged the Lions for collapsing. It's a work-on going into the second Test. Missed opportunities It didn't matter too much on the day because the Lions claimed the victory, but Andy Farrell might be a little disappointed that the tourists weren't more ruthless in racking up the points when they were dominating proceedings for most of the first half. Huw Jones was penalised for not releasing the ball having been tackled as he then scrambled his way over the line, but the Scot might have been better served just looking inside for Jamison Gibson-Park who had run an intelligent trail-line and was unmarked. Australia's Jeremy Williams and Len Ikitau tackle James Lowe. Photograph: David Gray/AFP via Getty Images It was probably the only time when Finn Russell was less than sublime, but he'd demand more of himself with an overcooked cross-kick for Joe McCarthy. Anything a little more sympathetic and it would have been a try, while James Lowe would like his time again to use the numbers outside him for a run-in try rather than duck inside the Aussie cover and get nailed. Physical dominance The Lions bossed the collisions with Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong , Tom Curry and Joe McCarthy particularly effective at riding the initial contact point with the Aussie tacklers and powering through to the other side, while hooker Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan were more inclined to throw in some good footwork for goo measure. Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones and James Lowe were also highly effective in the physical stakes. The upshot was that the Lions got over the gain-line, the knock-on effect of which was quick ruck ball from which Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell were able to put pace, width and direction on the Lions' patterns. Conversely the last half an hour in particular will be of some concern for the Lions and a source of hope for Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies. Australia got much more impact and energy from their bench and with the likely return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton next week, and a few changes to the run-on team, the home side will hope to be right in the mix from the get-go rather than stuck in a forlorn chase.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold fared against the Lions
Was bloodied early and was forced to take on the role of one of his side's main ball carriers. Won a scrum penalty after 52 minutes and played his role. 4. Nick Frost - 6.5 A solid performance from the second-rower who did not stop fronting up against the Lions and the Wallabies top carrier, with 13 making 26 metres against a brutal defence. 5. Jeremy Williams - 6 Stood up to his opposite number, Irish enforcer Joe McCarthy, and was relentless in defence. Costly knock-on after 50 minutes on a rare Wallabies attacking opportunity. 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny - 7 Had the biggest jersey to fill with the absence of Rob Valetini, but did himself proud in his Test debut. Led the Wallabies with 19 tackles alongside Fraser McReight. 7. Fraser McReight - 7 With his team under immense pressure, he made a crucial turnover after five minutes when the Lions looked like getting an early try. Did not stop tackling all night and led his team's brave resistance against a powerful Lions pack. Blotted a very good copy book with a wild late pass into touch. 8. Harry Wilson - 6.5 Knew he had to step up in the absence of Rob Valetini and did not stop trying to bend the rock-hard Lions' defence all evening. Led from the front in the toughest of nights. Unlucky not to score after being held up over the line. Great vision to send through a brilliant grubber kick on 60 minutes that nearly led to a Harry Potter try. 9. Jake Gordon- 5 His box kicks early on in the match lacked the depth and height of his opposite number Jamison Gibson-Park, and he also did not threaten the Lions' defence at all. 10. Tom Lynagh - 6.5 Moved to fullback on defence to protect the young five-eighth who was thrown into the Lions' den. Targeted relentlessly by English breakaway Tom Curry and escaped injury after being cynically taken out in the air. Nobody could fault his bravery under incredible pressure. Will only get better after this outing and did not disappoint anyone. 11. Harry Potter - 4 Made a bad read of a Finn Russell kick early, fumbling the ball nervously into touch. Punted the ball into dead in the in-goal area on 22 minutes, it was millimetres from being a brilliant kick, but summed up his evening. 12. Len Ikitau - 6 Took an elbow to the head from Irish prop Tadhg Furlong and was starved of attacking opportunities. Carried bravely. 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - 6 Defensively nervous and well shackled for most of the game, until making a brave run and was desperately unlucky to have a try overruled by TMO on 60 minutes. 14. Max Jorgensen - 7.5 Handed off by James Lowe for the second Lions' try, but brilliantly got up and hauled down Huw Jones to deny a try. Scored one of his own after a brilliant take in the air from a Gordon box kick and then wrestled it from Irish fullback Hugo Keenan. 15. Tom Wright - 5.5 His attacking talent had very little chance to shine against a Lions team with huge line speed in defence. Had some nice touches late in the game. 16. Billy Pollard - 6.5 Badly needed after Faessler's lineout throwing and steadied the lineout completely, could easily start in the second Test. 17. Angus Bell - 6 As soon as Bell came on after 49 minutes, he gave the Wallabies an ability to break the Lions' tough defence. Badly needed. 18. Tom Robertson- 5 Little chance to impress in his first time in a Wallabies jersey since 2022. 19. Tom Hooper - 5 Penalised for collapsing the maul shortly after coming on. 20. Carlo Tizzano - 7 Made brilliant impact, powering over for a try on 67 minutes. 21. Tate McDermott - 7.5 Made an immediate impact with a trademark snipe and a beautiful pass to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Scored in the dying minutes breaking two tackles. Put his hand up to start in Melbourne. 22. Ben Donaldson- 6.5
The Age
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold fared against the Lions
Was bloodied early and was forced to take on the role of one of his side's main ball carriers. Won a scrum penalty after 52 minutes and played his role. 4. Nick Frost - 6.5 A solid performance from the second-rower who did not stop fronting up against the Lions and the Wallabies top carrier, with 13 making 26 metres against a brutal defence. 5. Jeremy Williams - 6 Stood up to his opposite number, Irish enforcer Joe McCarthy, and was relentless in defence. Costly knock-on after 50 minutes on a rare Wallabies attacking opportunity. 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny - 7 Had the biggest jersey to fill with the absence of Rob Valetini, but did himself proud in his Test debut. Led the Wallabies with 19 tackles alongside Fraser McReight. 7. Fraser McReight - 7 With his team under immense pressure, he made a crucial turnover after five minutes when the Lions looked like getting an early try. Did not stop tackling all night and led his team's brave resistance against a powerful Lions pack. Blotted a very good copy book with a wild late pass into touch. 8. Harry Wilson - 6.5 Knew he had to step up in the absence of Rob Valetini and did not stop trying to bend the rock-hard Lions' defence all evening. Led from the front in the toughest of nights. Unlucky not to score after being held up over the line. Great vision to send through a brilliant grubber kick on 60 minutes that nearly led to a Harry Potter try. 9. Jake Gordon- 5 His box kicks early on in the match lacked the depth and height of his opposite number Jamison Gibson-Park, and he also did not threaten the Lions' defence at all. 10. Tom Lynagh - 6.5 Moved to fullback on defence to protect the young five-eighth who was thrown into the Lions' den. Targeted relentlessly by English breakaway Tom Curry and escaped injury after being cynically taken out in the air. Nobody could fault his bravery under incredible pressure. Will only get better after this outing and did not disappoint anyone. 11. Harry Potter - 4 Made a bad read of a Finn Russell kick early, fumbling the ball nervously into touch. Punted the ball into dead in the in-goal area on 22 minutes, it was millimetres from being a brilliant kick, but summed up his evening. 12. Len Ikitau - 6 Took an elbow to the head from Irish prop Tadhg Furlong and was starved of attacking opportunities. Carried bravely. 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - 6 Defensively nervous and well shackled for most of the game, until making a brave run and was desperately unlucky to have a try overruled by TMO on 60 minutes. 14. Max Jorgensen - 7.5 Handed off by James Lowe for the second Lions' try, but brilliantly got up and hauled down Huw Jones to deny a try. Scored one of his own after a brilliant take in the air from a Gordon box kick and then wrestled it from Irish fullback Hugo Keenan. 15. Tom Wright - 5.5 His attacking talent had very little chance to shine against a Lions team with huge line speed in defence. Had some nice touches late in the game. 16. Billy Pollard - 6.5 Badly needed after Faessler's lineout throwing and steadied the lineout completely, could easily start in the second Test. 17. Angus Bell - 6 As soon as Bell came on after 49 minutes, he gave the Wallabies an ability to break the Lions' tough defence. Badly needed. 18. Tom Robertson- 5 Little chance to impress in his first time in a Wallabies jersey since 2022. 19. Tom Hooper - 5 Penalised for collapsing the maul shortly after coming on. 20. Carlo Tizzano - 7 Made brilliant impact, powering over for a try on 67 minutes. 21. Tate McDermott - 7.5 Made an immediate impact with a trademark snipe and a beautiful pass to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Scored in the dying minutes breaking two tackles. Put his hand up to start in Melbourne. 22. Ben Donaldson- 6.5
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Lions vs Wallabies head-to-heads: Fraser McReight v Tom Curry
Fraser McReight Position : Openside flanker Age : 26 Height : 6ft Weight : 102kgs (16st 1lb) READ MORE Caps : 25 Points : 50 Why he's so important: The first time Fraser McReight announced himself to a global audience was at the 2019 Under-20 World Cup, when he captained an Australia team that went to the final before losing 24-23 to France . In the pool phase, the Aussies beat Grand Slam champions Ireland 45-17, a game that was shaped by an early red card for Ryan Baird. McReight ruled the breakdown that day in Argentina, winning turnovers and penalties at ruck time, including one crucial ruck when the game was a contest in the first 21-minutes. Last November, McReight won four alone for the Wallabies in Ireland's narrow victory at the Aviva Stadium . He was superb in picking his moments to go after the ball. And the referee that night in Dublin ? Andrea Piardi, who presides over the second Test. McReight paints good pictures for the Italian. He'll be crucial again to the home side's chances of dirtying the breakdown, poaching or forcing penalties. The Waratahs' Charlie Gamble poached four in that match, underlining that the Lions are going to have to be so accurate in clearing at ruck time. Teams target the best pickpockets by running at them and then pinning them at the bottom of rucks. Trivia : McReight works with psychologist Hayley Cronin on a visualisation process. He explained: 'That visualisation, or mental awareness, it's a great way to get wins off the field. Joe Schmidt talks about it all the time; your neurological pathways can be triggered the same amount, without any physical stress. You can just be sitting here, testing your brain.' Tom Curry Tom Curry has been favoured by Lions coach Andy Farrell ahead of Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Position : Openside flanker Age : 27 Height : 6ft 1in Weight : 110 kgs (17st 5lbs) Lions Tests : 3 Points : 0 Why he's so important : Andy Farrell had a tough choice to make in deciding to promote the English flanker ahead of Jac Morgan (Wales) and Ireland's Josh van der Flier. There's an argument that he has probably been the least impressive of the three candidates. Curry played in all three Tests four years ago in South Africa, so he has that proven pedigree, but form-wise Morgan and van der Flier have compiled the more impressive body of work on this tour. The Sale Shark is a very strong presence at the breakdown and is also comfortable in carrying and linking play, although he needs to bring a greater degree of accuracy in his offloading game. He offers a composite option as a player to the qualities that his two rivals possess – Morgan's jackalling and van der Flier's ball-carrying and passing game. There's no doubting Curry's talent, but he will be under pressure from the get-go to prove that he deserves the jersey, something that will require mental strength and a linear focus. Ben Earl's presence on the bench means that he's opted for a like-for-like replacement, with the Saracens player's pace and running ability sure to cause problems if Australia are flagging in the latter stages. Trivia : Sale Sharks fans have a combined nickname for Tom and his twin Ben, referring to them as Twindaloo. Anecdotally, Tom and Ben can be distinguished by their hairstyles, with Tom's styled to the right and Ben's to the left.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
From setbacks to captaincy: Wilson ready to lead Australia against the British and Irish Lions
Australian rugby union players Fraser McReight, left, captain Harry Wilson and Matt Faessler, right, go through a drill during their captain's run in Brisbane, Friday, July 18, 2025, ahead of the first match of a 3-test series agains the British & Irish Lions. (Jono Searle/AAP Image via AP) DC JS RR flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
