Morgan Turinui, former Wallabies back, has raised eyebrows ahead of the British and Irish Lions’ opening Test against the Wallabies, accusing the touring team of consistently being “offside all the time at ruck time.” This provocative statement set the tone for the match scheduled next Saturday in Brisbane.
Prior to this encounter, a Lions side made up of second-string players triumphed over the AUNZ Invitational XV, winning 48-0 at the Adelaide Oval. This victory provided coach Andy Farrell with significant consideration for team selection ahead of the Test. Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe showcased his scoring prowess with a hat-trick, while Farrell’s son, Owen, made a noteworthy re-entry from the bench in the second half.
The Lions have now achieved a perfect record of five wins from five matches on Australian soil, having added the AUNZ Invitational XV’s scalp to those of the Super Rugby Pacific teams they have faced. Turinui commented candidly on the team’s performance, stating, “This is the harsh truth about the British and Irish Lions in 2025.” He underscores the importance of discipline at the breakdown, urging the Wallabies to maximise their opportunities by maintaining a strong offside line and securing quick ball.
Turinui highlighted that his team must not wait for referees to act, instead needing to dominate the contact area with aggression. He believes the outcome of the Test series will largely hinge on performance at the breakdown. The Lions led 17-0 at halftime and continued to extend their lead, thrilling a record crowd of 43,124 fans, the highest attendance for rugby in South Australia’s AFL-centric atmosphere.
Despite the victory, the Lions faced a setback with the early loss of hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who suffered a concussion from a knee to the head during a tackle. Farrell reported positive news later, noting Cowan-Dickie was in “good spirits” following his injury. Nevertheless, with head injury assessment protocols in place, it seems unlikely he will participate in the first Test, potentially paving the way for Ireland’s Dan Sheehan to start in his place.
The AUNZ team, featuring 17 internationals, struggled against the Lions, most of whom are not set to compete in the upcoming Test.
In summary, the Lions’ recent performance poses significant challenges for the Wallabies as they prepare for a fiercely contested opening Test, where tactical discipline and the breakdown battle will play pivotal roles in determining the series outcome.