Latest news with #LionsSeries
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Rugby's biggest wind-up merchant: I'm ready to bash the Lions
Twelve years ago, White came into the corresponding Lions series as the Wallabies' back-up scrum-half behind Will Genia only to suffer a broken shoulder. 'I was definitely crushed at the time, but even then I don't think I realised quite how big it was,' White said. Hence White resolved to stay in Australia for a second crack of the whip against the Lions even with an opportunity to go back to Exeter. 'After 2023, I had a decision to make whether to go overseas or stick around and I had been overseas and done a fair bit but was still kicking myself about missing out in 2013,' White said. 'I thought it is only 18 months away. I was very aware of where I am at in my career and it would be hard going to keep these young bucks at bay. To still be involved is huge. I know where I am at in the Wallabies with the three nines. Your boys are lucky that they get to have a crack at it every four years. Twelve years is a long time. It is so much bigger than a World Cup. For some people it doesn't come in their career.' That was part of the reason that White asked Schmidt to release him from the Wallabies camp to play for Western Force in the Lions' first match on Australian soil. 'I said to Joe, 'I don't want to miss out on playing them again, if I get a chance I am desperate to run out against them whoever it is for',' White said. The Lions will already be smarting from their 28-24 loss to Argentina on Friday night in Dublin and White says the Force are intent on giving the tourists a physical tune-up before the Test series starts against the Wallabies on July 19. 'It is a game we are taking very seriously and an opportunity for us to put out on the field the type of footie the fans want to see and that might challenge the Lions,' White said. 'Hundred per cent there is also the opportunity to bruise them. Every Super Rugby side is part of the wider Australian rugby side and if we can bash a couple of their blokes on the way in and bruise them and make them a bit sore by the time they get to the Wallabies then job done as far as the Super Rugby sides are concerned.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
British and Irish Lions fall to Argentina in opening tour match: five key talking points
Lions vs Argentina: execution lags despite strong tactical shape The British and Irish Lions suffered a 28-24 defeat to Argentina on Friday, June 20, in Dublin. It was the first time since 1971 that the Lions lost their opening game on tour. Head coach Andy Farrell acknowledged the strength of the opposition but emphasized the need for improvement before the team travels to face Western Force in Australia on June 28. In the build-up to the match, the Lions emphasized the importance of building 'cohesion' in a newly assembled squad. Despite featuring several experienced internationals, the side displayed a lack of sharpness in their first full outing together. While their offensive shape showed promise, the attack failed in execution. Also read: Australia call up Will Skelton for Fiji warm-up ahead of Lions Series by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cara Membantu Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma Limfoma Pelajari Undo Offloads regularly missed targets or ended in turnovers. Passes were either mistimed or failed to reach runners in stride. These breakdowns stalled momentum and allowed Argentina to capitalize on errors. Two-time Lion Tadhg Beirne noted that the team is composed of 'world class' players, suggesting the squad expects to gel quickly. However, across 80 minutes, it became evident that technical miscues undercut the team's ability to apply consistent pressure. Live Events 'The whole story of the game is that we compounded too many errors and in the end weren't able to put the pace on the game that we wanted to because of that,' said Farrell. Argentina ends British and Irish Lions' longstanding opening match record No British and Irish Lions team had lost its opening game on tour since 1971. While previous opening opponents were generally of lower competitive caliber, Argentina arrived in Dublin with high form and strong cohesion. The Pumas took advantage of the Lions' early-stage chemistry and converted key opportunities. Despite being a scratch side, the Lions showed ambition in how they structured their attack. There were moments of fluid build-up and well-timed support runs. But each promising sequence was offset by basic execution errors, preventing sustained offensive rhythm. Also read: Stu Wilson, former All Blacks captain, dies at 70 Farrell is likely to prioritize refinement in timing and technical discipline as the team prepares for upcoming tour matches on Australian soil. The Lions next face Western Force in Perth, where a more synchronized performance will be critical. While Friday's defeat underscores the challenges of assembling a cohesive unit in limited time, the Lions will aim to address tactical lapses and reduce handling errors in their remaining fixtures.
CNA
07-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Australia scrumhalf Gordon signs on for two more years
SYDNEY :Scrumhalf Jake Gordon on Wednesday joined a string of fellow Wallabies in rejecting lucrative offers from abroad and committing to Australian rugby through to the end of the 2027 World Cup. Gordon, who had attracted offers from French, English and Japanese clubs, said he was excited by the prospect of facing the British & Irish Lions in July and August this year as well as making his World Cup debut on home soil. "I felt I had my best year for the Wallabies in 2024 and I'm certainly hoping to continue that progress and put my best foot forward to be part of the major milestones coming up here on home soil in the Lions Series and home Rugby World Cup," he said in a Rugby Australia statement. The 31-year-old started nine tests last season and looks likely to vie with Tate McDermott for the number nine shirt in the three tests against the Lions. Gordon will continue to play Super Rugby for the New South Wales Waratahs, the Sydney-based club he has captained since the start of 2021. "I have strong confidence in the direction the Waratahs are heading in and I want to continue to work hard to contribute to the success of the team," he added. Gordon will return from a knee injury for the Waratahs on Saturday as they look to maintain their unbeaten home record this season and reignite their playoff hopes against the ACT Brumbies. Wallabies Len Ikitau, Fraser McReight, Nick Frost, Harry Wilson, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Isaac Kailea and Lachlan Lonergan have all recently signed contract extensions with Rugby Australia (RA). "(Jake) is someone who works hard and drives standards, and there's no doubt his experience at both state and international level will be important moving forward," said Peter Horne, RA's director of high performance.
