MELBOURNE: Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies coach, is urging his team to adopt a more aggressive stance as they prepare for the crucial second Test against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday. Following a disappointing first half in Brisbane, which Schmidt characterised as "submissive," the Wallabies will seek to lift their performance. The Lions capitalised on this, securing a 27-19 victory.
In a bid to reinvigorate the squad, Schmidt has welcomed back several key players, including Rob Valetini, Will Skelton, David Porecki, and Langi Gleeson, all of whom were recovering from injuries. The match at the MCG is expected to be challenging, potentially weather impacted.
Schmidt is opting for a 6-2 bench split that includes winger Harry Potter, who will cover the midfield in case of injuries to Len Ikitau or Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, marking a strategic gamble for the Wallabies. He expressed a clear intent for the team to avoid passivity, referencing a recent tour game where the First Nations Pasifika team faced significant challenges due to a lack of strong defensive line breaks.
Asserting that it’s vital to balance aggression with cohesion, Schmidt noted the peril of conceding line breaks, indicating that such lapses could put the Wallabies at a considerable disadvantage during the Test. The previous match statistics indicated 13 line breaks for the Lions compared to just two for Australia within the first 30 minutes, a trend Schmidt is keen to reverse.
In the lineup, former Wallabies captain Skelton takes the place of Jeremy Williams, aimed at bolstering Australia’s physical presence. Schmidt praised Skelton’s experience against the Lions in European competition, emphasising that they intend not to approach this match with a submissive mindset.
Lions flankers, particularly Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne, posed problems in the first Test, and adaptations are needed to protect young No.10 Tom Lynagh better. Wallabies veteran James Slipper acknowledged the strategic edge the Lions had, leveraging their experience and savvy approaches to disrupt Australian play.
The Wallabies are focused on creating opportunities and establishing momentum against the Lions while navigating the learnings from past performances. Schmidt noted the encounter as an essential learning experience for rookie players Lynagh and Nick Champion de Crespigny, underscoring the importance of preparation and execution in crucial matches.
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, David Porecki, James Slipper.
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson.
LIONS (15-1): Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje (c), Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter.
Reserves: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Blair Kinghorn.