Advertisement
Half the stage has been set. Andy Farrell announced his Lions squad for the 2025 tour to Australia last week and the debate has raged since in the northern hemisphere.
Now the focus turns to Australia and Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies team. Schmidt has already indicated that Australia’s selection policy has evolved from last year, with selectors being more open to overseas players but emphasised that in a 50/50 call, the player who’s committed to rugby in Australia will win out. Fair enough. There has to be some reward for players who are committed to the sport from top to bottom in Australia.
When Schmidt first took on the job, he announced a 38 man squad ahead of Australia’s first tests against Wales. Ahead of the Lions tour, Rugby Australia has announced they will select an initial squad of 40 players, 40 players who will play a key role in Australia’s preparation, midweek and test games.
Lets take a look at the Wallabies squad I would pick for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour:
Props
Angus Bell, James Slipper, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Robertson
Hooker
Matt Faessler, Billy Pollard, Brandon Paenga Amosa
Locks
Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Will Skelton
Back Row
Rob Valentini, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Carlo Tizzano, Langi Gleeson, Nick Champion de Crespigny
Scrum Half
Tate McDermott, Nic White, Jake Gordon
Fly Half
Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh, Noah Lolesio
Centres
Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Samu Kerevi
Back Three
Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Harry Potter, Filipo Daugunu, Dylan Pietsch, Mac Grealy
Wildcards / Lightning Round / Mr Irrelevants
James O’Connor & Taniela Tupou
Let’s Sit Down and Talk Bout It
I’ve followed the formatting numbers that were initially selected in Joe Schmidt’s first squad. Six props, three hookers, six locks, six back rowers, three scrumhalves, three flyhalves, four centres, and seven back three players.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Taniela Tupou doesn’t make my main squad but sneaks in at the final minute via one of the two additional spots announced by RA. For me, an achilles injury might just be the worst ”regular” injury a prop can pick up. I say regular because neck injuries while rare are a different story.
I recently saw some 2016 highlights of Taniela and his Reds team back in the day. It was a whole different kettle of fish. He’s had a change of scenery, coach, playing style and it’s not coming to fruition. There’s one thing he and teams haven’t achieved and its plan to increase his minutes on the pitch. Let’s just leave it there. There’s no way RA’s million-dollar man isn’t included which is why he makes it into the squad as a wildcard ahead of the likes of Pete Samu.
Kailea is another player who seems to have fallen on the wrong side of Dan McKellar, maybe he and Tane Edmed should hang out? Or hang out less? Either way, Mike Cron, Australia’s new scrum guru has invested serious time and effort into Kailea last season and I believe they’ll pick him again.
On form, Will Skelton doesn’t make the squad, he and his La Rochelle team have taken a dive this year and he’s never replicated his European Champions Cup form in a Wallabies shirt. However, from a fan perspective, RA can’t afford not to pick him. Josh Canham is unlucky to miss out, his move from Melbourne comes just a year too late for him to have a grasp on an international place. An excellent option to call up should injuries strike. Swain makes it in for me, he’s been one of the signings of the season with his physicality on the ground in attack and defence but also in the air as well. His disruptive qualities at lineout time have come to the fore this season in Perth and with a strong contingent of Irish players in the squad, Australia need to target the Lions’ lineout.
You’ll see I’ve gone for out and out size in this Wallabies back row. I think Schmidt may prefer to balance his flankers out with the likes of Seru Uru taking one of Nick Champion de Crespigny or Langi Gleeson. Tries aside, Gleeson is improving his all-round game. Schmidt won’t be carried away by his scoring but you have to admit, it’s not a bad string to anyone’s bow.
Pete Samu misses out despite a late run with Bordeaux. Schmidt is one of the most astute coaches at understanding a players average performance. Sure, Josh Kemeny stood out versus Leinster’s all-international back row, but was it a once-off? An entire season would suggest so. Schmidt will consider immediate form, but he needs international quality players to line out versus the Lions. Someone’s ceiling is of no use if there’s a chance they could come out and deliver their floor instead.
The half backs pick themselves. They’re all gunning for the top spot and club combinations may play a factor when it comes to pulling the final trigger.
Centre looks a little light. Samu Kerevi robbed us all of a feel good factor when he received his red card versus Wales. Joseph Sua’ali’i looks like he’ll be fit to play in time for the tour. Something like a jaw injury could rightly knock a player, but I expect RA’s million dollar man to come back chomping at the bit.
I’m a big Mac Grealy fan, I think he’s Australia’s next best full back after Tom Wright. I’d like to see Schmidt develop a plan b in the position rather than shifting one of his wingers to 15. Yes, they can play the position, but it knocks the chemistry slightly.
James O’Connor is my final pick for the squad. He’s doing a heck of a job at the Crusaders and has grown as a player. His performances off the bench for Rob Penney’s side mean he could be the perfect player to spring off the bench in the final quarter of a tight game. Gone are the days where he could be the utility back in a 6-2 bench and that’s ok, that isn’t what he’s included for. He’s included to earn that 22 jersey and kick a three pointer when the whole worlds watching.