Make no mistake: this first game of the series between the Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions was one of the great test matches of recent times. It had everything. In amongst the blood (of which there was plenty), sweat and tears were four tries of the very highest calibre and end-to-end action for eighty minutes that left every fan on the edge of their seats.
Hopefully the match will not be remembered for Kurtley Beale’s untimely slip, which ultimately cost the Wallabies a remarkable victory. It will be the job of Robbie Deans and the players to make sure Beale is looked after this week, as he was outstanding when coming on as a second half substitute and will have a huge role to play in next week’s test in Melbourne.
The Wallabies deserve immense credit for staying in the game as player after player went off injured. James Horwill lead from the front with an all action display closely followed by the increasingly impressive Michael Hooper at open side. Genia and Folau were simply magnificent behind the scrum and the much vaunted battle in the front five was honours even. For the Lions, George North rightly took the headlines for this brilliant solo try and Brian O’Driscoll was his wily old self, working tirelessly in defence and always in the right place at the right time alongside his centre partner Jonathan Davies. Sexton won the battle of the fly halves as did the Lions front row for the first half (why-o-why did Gatland change the front row on the 50 minute mark?) and Paul O’Connell was back to his aggressive best.
There is much to ponder for both camps this week not least a few selection posers for Robbie Deans and Warren Gatland. With the Lions, the temptation will be to stick with the same team. In Lions’ favour they have key players fit again, with Tommy Bowe now back in contention who (in all likelihood) would have been starting in place of Alex Cuthbert on one wing. It will be extremely harsh on the young Welshman, whose glorious scything run left Australian defenders clutching at thin air for the second of the Lions’ tries. Cuthbert knocked on without any pressure on him from a high ball during the first half and in a match of such significance in Melbourne, Bowe’s experience could be crucial.
It is astonishing that Deans has not picked Quade Cooper given that James O’Connor – for all of his talent – could not run the game from fly half. Even more so with the injuries piling up in the Wallaby backline. One would expect Kurtley Beale coming in for the unlucky Berrick Barnes at full back and there may be more enforced changes subject to the medical bulletins later on in the week. The pack played heroically and they will now know that the Lions monster front five can be contained – and even dominated – with the lack of strong replacements blighting the visitors. Stating the blindingly obvious this is a match where Robbie Deans has to go for broke and with Cooper, Beale, O’Connor and Genia in tandem the Australians definitely have the artillery to beat the Lions as well as the goal kicking back-up.
We always hoped that this series would live up to his billing and it certainly has delivered. Melbourne needs no introduction: it is going to be an unbelievably exciting and nerve wracking 80 minutes and it would not surprise anyone if it goes until the final whistle is blown. Strap yourselves in and get ready for the one of the great sporting occasions this Saturday evening.
[ Source: Australian Times ]