Results to date have confirmed initial fears. The midweek opposition has been weak. The Lions have won convincingly but not without some concerns over the style of play. Certain players were clearly off the pace, and team play was sketchy. An out-of-season, mixed Waratahs team almost embarrassed the Lions.
On Saturday (July 12) the Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV was the team considered most likely to beat the Lions. Famous names littered the team and the coaching box was filled with prestigious names from the hierarchy of World Rugby.
In truth, this team mirrored the previous performances. There was a lack of spirit; they failed to score a single point, and in the post-match interviews said the right things. Quite frankly, this was a team put together to draw a crowd. There was no cohesion, no flair and no points. The 48-0 drubbing supported this fully.
This Lions team did look like the real deal. Team play was better than in the previous games, with cohesion and forward movement supported by teammates cementing places in the first test match for certain players.
The contentious areas of 7 and 15 looked decided. Morgan frequently participated in plays involving the ball and should take the 7 shirt. Keenan may edge out a recovering Kinghorn at 15.
Andy Farrell, the Lions coach, will favour the Scottish midfield of Russell, Tuipulotu and Jones. The Lions pack looks too strong in both the scrum and Lineout, especially with Chessum at 6.
Many will remember the Wallabies’ performance against Wales in the last World Cup, losing by over 40 points. Have they improved? Some would say not. But this is Sydney and a wounded Australia is not to be discarded. Pride is on the line. No Australian player would like to hear the boos of discontent ringing around the stadium, plus coach Joe Schmidt is a wily character with years of Northern Hemisphere coaching behind him. Their back row will be good over the ball and they will be abrasive in midfield.
If the Wallabies start well, the finish will be close; even so, the Lions will finish on top. I’m taking them to win by 15 points.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.