The British & Irish Lions started their tour of Australia strongly, surpassing the Western Force with a score of 54-7. At the same time, the Wallabies continue their preparation for the only test match against Fiji.
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The Nationalization Debate
Much has been said about the naturalized players of the British & Irish Lions, including those born in Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. The announcement at Optus Stadium referred to the Australian players who faced the Force, Mack Hansen and Sione Tuipulotu. Although this may seem a bit exaggerated, it is a show of sportsmanship. However, it is important to remember that Australia must also analyze its own situation. The most sensitive point for Australian rugby is how they let Tuipulotu and Hansen go. The fact that they both play for Scotland and Ireland, respectively, and now for the Lions, is a disappointment for Australian rugby and its talent development programs. Tuipulotu was not in a top-level team like the Brumbies or Reds, not even the Waratahs, and was formed in Melbourne, a position where Australia doesn’t have much talent: the center of the field. The loss of Hansen is a bit more understandable, given that the Brumbies had resources in the backs; but he was also offered to other teams and never received an offer that convinced him to reject Connacht. Rugby Australia has Peter Horne as head of performance, so talent losses in the future are expected to be lower. The idea that “you can’t keep everyone” also holds weight, but the fact that Tuipulotu and Hansen are playing for the Lions and are key figures in the test series against the Wallabies should discomfit Australian fans, even if they laugh at the stadium jokes.
Henry Pollock: An Australian Style Player
Young Henry Pollock is one of the most prominent names in current rugby. The 20-year-old English player made his debut in the Six Nations and had several sensational performances for Northampton on their way to the European Champions Cup final. On Saturday in Perth, Pollock stood out against the Western Force, contributing to a try and finishing with 13 runs for 74 meters, two clean breaks, four defenders beaten, and a pass that allowed Tomos Williams to score his first try. Pollock was excellent against the Force, ironically, he plays more like an Australian back row than a traditional English flanker. His place in the starting team for the test series remains to be seen, but he is a clear asset for Lions coach Andy Farrell, given his energy and skills, and his ability to play in the back row.
Schmidt shows his hand with Tupou after Robertson’s master class
Taniela Tupou will play for the Waratahs against the Lions this weekend in Sydney, after being released from the Australia camp in Newcastle. This decision will be well received by Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, and by the 40,000 spectators preparing for a match at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. The Force team that competed with the Lions for 40 minutes on the weekend was much stronger than the one NSW will present this week, especially in the forwards. The pillar Tom Robertson was key in the Force’s resistance, after overcoming the famous Lions pillar, Tadgh Furlong. Robertson’s versatility, who played the entire Super Rugby season as a right pillar, gives Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt another option in the front line. Is there a possibility that Robertson and James Slipper will fill the pillar positions on the bench against the Lions, behind starters Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa? Absolutely. But Schmidt also needs Tupou to regain his form quickly. A good 50-minute game on Saturday night against the Lions, instead of a possible cameo in the second half against the Fijians, is the perfect place to do it.Pietsch exposes the Lions’ fragility on restarts and an opportunity for Suaalii
Along with Robertson, winger Dylan Pietsch was another standout for the Force against the Lions in Perth. The former sevens player played little in Super Rugby this season after suffering a quadriceps injury, but showed himself in excellent form, breaking tackles at will and being a challenge for the tourists every time he touched the ball. Pietsch caused problems for Farrell and his coaching staff at restarts, disrupting the tourists on more than one occasion. That is an area of strength for Australia’s new star recruit, former Roosters center Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who demonstrated his aerial prowess in his impressive professional rugby debut at Twickenham last November. Pietsch’s eye-catching performance will not have gone unnoticed by Schmidt, having a jumper on each side of the field at restarts would be a great advantage for the Wallabies.
