Lions Beat Brumbies: Wallabies Concern Before British Rugby?

The British and Irish Lions secured a crucial 36-24 victory against the ACT Brumbies in their penultimate match before the first Test against Australia. Although Andy Farrell has had some revelations, the team showed a sometimes disjointed attack and conceding 24 points will surely frustrate the coach.

Key Points of the Meeting

• British and Irish Lions win 36-24 against the Brumbies: The Lions’ winning streak continues

Farrell’s starting team, the strongest to date, had a final chance to secure their place in the starting XV. The front row, with Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, could be the one for the first Test, as could the second row formed by Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy, who showed solidity in Canberra. The scrum-half pairing with Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell seems consolidated. Blair Kinghorn is a minor concern at fullback, after being substituted due to an injury against the Brumbies. However, if he is fit, he should start. Marcus Smith and Hugo Keenan are also backup options. James Lowe and Tommy Freeman will likely be on the wings in Brisbane. This leaves the third line and the center as the main points of discussion. Tom Curry played open flanker and was solid, but Jac Morgan has stood out in every match and seems to be the favorite. Will Farrell opt for the only Welsh player in the team as number 7? Ollie Chessum played the full 80 minutes at number 6, with Jack Conan at number 8. Chessum, with his imposing physique, scored a try (almost two), making a great impression. Conan also put in a great effort, with 17 carries and 13 tackles, the most of any Lion. In the center of the field, the Irish pair formed by Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose works well and performed well on Wednesday, but their Scottish counterparts Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu also aspire to have a chance.

Perhaps the answer is a combination of both? Farrell might already know the answer, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the decision is made at the last moment in both areas.

I feel a strange sensation in the team.

Jamison Gibson-Park

Jamison Gibson-Park summed up the situation when asked how the Lions feel about their performances. “I suppose we’re happy with the result in the end, an irregular performance, but we’re happy. Congratulations to the Brumbies, they came with a plan and executed it well,” he told Sky Sports. “There is a strange feeling in the team, but there are things we must review.” A strange feeling when winning, and winning well on the scoreboard, but knowing they have much more to offer. It’s the nature of the Lions to some extent. Develop the game plan on the fly and build combinations. “Irregular” is correct, too. The match in Canberra had a familiar feel. A difficult start, good in parts but not consistently, and a good finish. We probably won’t get a sense of what this team is really capable of until the first Test, maybe even after. Gibson-Park’s comment shows that the players know they can be much better.

Do the Lions have a fear factor?

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was watching the match, after Australia had their only encounter against Fiji last week, a close 21-18 victory. What will he have thought of the Lions’ last performance?

On the one hand, he will know the players very well, but he will also have seen areas that he can exploit. The Brumbies were successful in the ruck and Schmidt will probably seek to disrupt their lineout, which has improved but is not perfect. They have also had problems with indiscipline at times during the tour.

However, Schmidt has his own problems, with concerns at the opening position after Noah Lolesio was ruled out of the tour. But, being the great coach that he is, Schmidt will know that there are parts of the Lions that he can attack if what the tourists produced in Canberra is similar to what they produce in Brisbane in 10 days.