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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
British Lions vs Wallabies Team Lists and Preview 11 views
04 July 2013 by The Swede Eaters
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The third and deciding test match between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions is on this Saturday. Here is my preview and a look at the two teams.
The Qantas Australia Wallabies have brought back legendary openside
flanker George Smith to face the British and Irish Lions in the third
test in Sydney. It is crazy to think that Smith came back from playing
rugby in Japan this season and made such a smooth transition back into
Super Rugby for the Brumbies straight away. He is the only change to
the starting line up for the Wallabies, while they have added Ben
McCalman to the reserves, meaning that they will only carry two reserve
backs into the test match. This is going to be a battle of attrition,
but the Wallabies backline is a very versatile one with most players
being able to switch between several positions.
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has made six changes to his
team for the third and deciding test against the Qantas Wallabies in
Sydney. The team will be lead by big Welsh lock Alun Wyn Jones, while
it is interesting that Brian O'Driscoll has been replaced, allowing
Jamie Roberts to come into a largely Welsh backline. I don't have a
problem with that as I think BOD is past it and has been disappointing
in the series so far.
Toby Faletau and Sean O'Brien come into the loose forwards. The British
and Irish Lions are probably tired and needed some freshening up after a
long tour. It is great to see Roberts and Faletau add some punch to
the team.
Alex Corbisiero and Richard Hibbard start in the front row as the visitors look to avoid giving away scrum penalties this week.
What do you think of the changes to the British and Irish Lions team for
the third test? I like the changes made as I believe that Roberts and
Faletau have more X Factor than the men they replaced.
There are now ten Welsh players in the starting line up, but they are
Six Nations champions and have the combinations from playing together.
It will be interesting to see how both George Smith and big Welsh
midfield back Jamie Roberts go given their lack of recent game play and
the intense nature of the British and Irish Lions vs Wallabies
test series so far. They are being thrown straight into the fire!
The British and Irish Lions have an advantage because of depth which has
allowed them to introduce some fresh quality players for this match,
while the Wallabies probably don't have the same depth.
For www.testrugby.com managers
it is a frustrating time because there are six changes to the British
and Irish Lions team for this one, most managers will have run out of
trades. I fell victim to this and am left fielding two bench warmers
and one guy who isn't even in the squad.
My pick - British and Irish Lions by 3 points.
These games are so tight that it will come down to kicking goals and the
refereeing, especially of the scrum. Both matches have been decided on
goal kicks. The usually reliable Leigh Halfpenny will be bitterly
disappointed from last week and kick his team to victory.
Who are you picking to win the British and Irish Lions or the Wallabies?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2013/07/british-and-irish-lions-vs-wallabies.html
British & Irish Lions versus Qantas Wallabies, July 6, Sydney
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ulster/Ireland)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets/Wales)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. George North (Scarlets/Wales)
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/Ireland)
9. Mike Phillips (Bayonne/Wales)
1. Alex Corbisiero (London Irish/England)
2. Richard Hibbard (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales, capt)
5. Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers/England)
6. Dan Lydiate (Dragons/Wales)
7. Sean O’Brien (Leinster/Ireland)
8. Tangaki Taulupe Faletau (Dragons/Wales)
Replacements
16. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers/England)
17. Makovina Vunipola (Saracens/England)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers/England)
19. Richie Gray (Scotland)
20. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys/Wales)
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Ireland)
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England)
23. Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers/England)
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Adam
Ashley-Cooper, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 James
O'Connor, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Ben Mowen, 5
Kane Douglas, 4 James Horwill (captain), 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen
Moore, 1 Benn Robinson
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 James
Slippper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Michael
Hooper, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Jesse Mogg
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Tags:
British and Irish Lions, Wallabies
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