Latest news with #Schmidt
The Star
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Chastened Wallabies look to bring heat to keep Lions series alive
MELBOURNE (Reuters) -A beefed-up Australia will look to win the physical battle against the British & Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday and avoid the ignominy of losing the series with a test to spare. Missing key players, the Wallabies were outmuscled for the first hour of the 27-19 defeat in the Brisbane opener, leaving their belated comeback in vain. Coach Joe Schmidt will look for more power in the collisions from loose forward Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton whose collective brawn was missed at Lang Park as the duo nursed calf problems. The Wallabies' fruitless efforts to punch holes in the Lions' line while giving their opponents leeway with the ball has been bemoaned by home fans and pundits all week. Schmidt has demanded more intensity from his squad to keep the series alive before the third and final match in Sydney. "We don't want to be nice and we don't want to be submissive," the New Zealander told reporters on Thursday. "We didn't have the intention last week, and we don't have the intention this week of being submissive. "I just think that they played on the edge really well. "They got in amongst us, sometimes just beside us, which made it very hard to play and we're hopeful that we will be able to take that to them this week and keep them on the back foot a little bit more." With rain forecast on Saturday, blue-collar grit and forward power may end up far more important than strike-plays and backline flair at the MCG, where a bumper crowd of 80,000-plus is tipped. Although Schmidt said the six forwards on his bench were to cover players like Valetini and Skelton returning from injury, Lions coach Andy Farrell saw it as a clear signal of intent. "It's obvious what they're going to bring and why they're selected," he said of the Wallabies. "I suppose they're delighted with that and the 6-2 bench just backs that up a little bit, doesn't it? So it's not unexpected." Nine Ireland players make up Farrell's starting XV, and it might have been 10 but for centre Garry Ringrose pulling out because of concussion symptoms. Inside centre Bundee Aki and prop Andrew Porter are the two new Irish starters, while England lock Ollie Chessum was promoted to replace the injured Joe McCarthy. Farrell's son Owen, the former England captain, takes a spot on the bench along with flanker Jac Morgan, who adds a Welsh presence after the test team in Brisbane had none, the first time since the late 19th century. Andy Farrell has called Saturday's test "the biggest game of (their) lives" -- a chance to clinch a first series win in the 12 years since Warren Gatland's team beat Robbie Deans' Australia 2-1. Victory at the MCG would also make Farrell's Lions the first to wrap up the series with a match to spare since the 1997 tour of South Africa. (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by ...)
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Wallabies add Valetini, Skelton muscle for second Lions test
MELBOURNE - Australia coach Joe Schmidt has added a considerable heft to his pack with the inclusion of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in his starting line-up for Saturday's second test against the British & Irish Lions. The Wallabies were outmuscled by the tourists at the collision in the first hour of last week's loss in the series opener in Brisbane and the return of flanker Valetini and lock Skelton from calf injuries should help in that area. Schmidt is hoping their influence will go beyond just adding a bit more more physicality to the pack. "We've got a group of players who haven't won too much in recent times ... and I think building confidence is an incremental thing," the New Zealander told a news conference on Thursday. "Bobby probably brings confidence to other players because of his experience and his ability to take the ball forward. "I think one of the key things with Will is he's a very calm influence. Yes, he's a big man ... but his experience of being involved in successful teams, particularly with La Rochelle in Europe, I think just gives other players confidence." Hooker Dave Porecki, who missed the first-test defeat because of a concussion sustained in Australia's warm-up match against Fiji, has also been recalled in place of Matt Faessler. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets, rockets, artillery in deadly border row Asia 9 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business Marina Bay Sands sees record second quarter with revenue up 37% to $1.77 billion Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then boyfriend of $220k Asia South Korea police raid offices of BTS' agency Hybe over share probe Schmidt resisted further changes to his starting side and 22-year-old Tom Lynagh will lead an unchanged backline from flyhalf at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in his second test start. Flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and Faessler have been dropped to allow the return of Valetini and Porecki, while lock Jeremy Williams remains in the matchday squad among the replacements after making way for Skelton. Schmidt has opted for a 6-2 split in favour of the forwards on the bench with the powerful Langi Gleeson also returning from injury to join flanker Carlo Tizzano as back-up for the loose forwards. "It's not forward heavy, it's replacements for guys who are coming back from injury," explained Schmidt. "We know that we've got Will Skelton, Bobby Valetini and Langi Gleeson all coming back from injury, so we're just trying to cover that as best we can." Schmidt said he has never been an "outcomes" focused coach but conceded his relatively inexperienced Wallabies team beating the Lions on Saturday to level up the series would rank high among his career achievements. "I've been lucky to have been on the periphery of some fantastic outcomes over the last 20 years of of coaching professionally, but this would be special inevitably," he said. "And it'd be special for this group, and I think it would accelerate a little bit of their growth as well." The third and final test takes place at Sydney's Stadium Australia on Aug. 2. Team: 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, 7–Fraser McReight, 6–Rob Valetini, 5–Will Skelton, 4–Nick Frost, 3–Allan Alaalatoa, 2–David Porecki, 1–James Slipper Replacements: 16–Billy Pollard, 17–Angus Bell, 18–Tom Robertson, 19–Jeremy Williams, 20–Langi Gleeson, 21–Carlo Tizzano, 22–Tate McDermott, 23–Ben Donaldson REUTERS
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Valetini returns as Wallabies gear up for crucial second Lions Test
Australia has been handed a major boost ahead of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions , with powerhouse back-rower Rob Valetini named in the starting lineup after recovering from a calf injury. The must-win clash will take place Saturday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground , with 90,000 fans expected to fill the stands. Valetini, who has been crowned Australia's best player for the past two years, replaces Nick Champion De Crespigny, who impressed on debut in Brisbane but makes way for the returning star. While Valetini completed a full training block, head coach Joe Schmidt admitted he's unlikely to go the full 80 minutes. — wallabies (@wallabies) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo "He tends to play full games for us, but I doubt whether that's going to be the case,' said Schmidt. "He's incredibly resilient, so we'll monitor how he's going." The Wallabies , beaten 27–19 in the opening Test, have also welcomed back hooker David Porecki and lock Will Skelton from injury, adding much-needed size and experience to a pack that was overpowered in Brisbane. Live Events — wallabies (@wallabies) Despite some calls for change in the backline, Schmidt has stuck with the same combination, keeping Jake Gordon and Tom Lynagh as his half-backs, resisting pressure to pair Tate McDermott with Lynagh. With wet conditions expected, Schmidt has opted for a 6-2 bench split, stacking forwards in anticipation of a physically demanding contest. Jeremy Williams and Billy Pollard are among the replacements, while De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Tom Hooper, and Andrew Kellaway drop out of the 23-man squad. — wallabies (@wallabies) Schmidt emphasized the need to build belief: "We've got a group of players who haven't won too much in recent times. Confidence is incremental — we have to stack winning moments to get a result." The Wallabies will need to rise to the occasion and level the series in Melbourne, or the Lions will seal a famous series win on Australian soil. Australia (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Will Skelton, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, David Porecki, James Slipper Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson
RTÉ News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Rob Valetini and Will Skelton return to Wallabies side for Lions showdown
Australia coach Joe Schmidt has added a considerable heft to his pack with the inclusion of Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Dave Porecki in his starting line-up for Saturday's second Test against the British and Irish Lions. The Wallabies were outmuscled by the tourists at the collision in the first hour of last week's loss in the series opener in Brisbane and the return of flanker Valetini and lock Skelton from calf injuries should help in that area. Hooker Porecki missed the first-Test defeat because of a concussion sustained in Australia's warm-up match against Fiji and his recall in place of Matt Faessler should help in the lineout, where the Wallabies struggled at Lang Park. Schmidt resisted making any further changes to his starting side and 22-year-old Tom Lynagh will lead an unchanged backline from fly-half at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in his second Test start. Flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and Faessler have been dropped to allow the return of Valetini and Porecki, while lock Jeremy Williams remains in the matchday squad among the replacements after making way for Skelton. Schmidt has opted for a 6:2 split in favour of the forwards on the bench with the powerful Langi Gleeson also returning from injury to join flanker Carlo Tizzano as back-up for the loose forwards. "The squad has recovered well after a very physical first Test and the week's preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together," Schmidt said. "We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we'll need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night." The third and final Test takes place at Sydney's Stadium Australia on 2 August. , with nine Irish players starting, including Bundee Aki and Andrew Porter, who move up from the bench. Lock Joe McCarthy was ruled out with a foot injury. Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson. Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, 21–Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson. British and Irish Lions: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.
The Star
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Wallabies Valetini, Skelton, Porecki return from injury for second Lions test
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales v Australia - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 17, 2024 Australia's Rob Valetini in action with Wales' James Botham and Blair Murray REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australia coach Joe Schmidt has added a considerable heft to his pack with the inclusion of Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Dave Porecki in his starting line-up for Saturday's second test against the British & Irish Lions. The Wallabies were outmuscled by the tourists at the collision in the first hour of last week's loss in the series opener in Brisbane and the return of flanker Valetini and lock Skelton from calf injuries should help in that area. Hooker Porecki missed the first-test defeat because of a concussion sustained in Australia's warm-up match against Fiji and his recall in place of Matt Faessler should help in the lineout, where the Wallabies struggled at Lang Park. Schmidt resisted making any further changes to his starting side and 22-year-old Tom Lynagh will lead an unchanged backline from flyhalf at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in his second test start. Flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and Faessler have been dropped to allow the return of Valetini and Porecki, while lock Jeremy Williams remains in the matchday squad among the replacements after making way for Skelton. Schmidt has opted for a 6-2 split in favour of the forwards on the bench with the powerful Langi Gleeson also returning from injury to join flanker Carlo Tizzano as back-up for the loose forwards. "The squad has recovered well after a very physical first test and the week's preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together," Schmidt said in a news release. "We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we'll need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night." The third and final test takes place at Sydney's Stadium Australia on Aug. 2. Team: 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, 7–Fraser McReight, 6–Rob Valetini, 5–Will Skelton, 4–Nick Frost, 3–Allan Alaalatoa, 2–David Porecki, 1–James Slipper Replacements: 16–Billy Pollard, 17–Angus Bell, 18–Tom Robertson, 19–Jeremy Williams, 20–Langi Gleeson, 21–Carlo Tizzano, 22–Tate McDermott, 23–Ben Donaldson (Reporting by Ian Ransom, writing by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Christian Schmollinger)
