Australia have hit back at the Lions in the simmering dispute over the availability of Wallabies for tour matches, by insisting that they are not in breach of the tour agreement.
At a welcome ceremony for Andy Farrell’s British and Irish squad yesterday, Lions chief executive Ben Calveley delivered a public demand for the hosts’ Test stars to be released to play for their Super Rugby franchises, in the build-up to the international series. He indicated that a failure to do so would contravene the contract between the home unions and Rugby Australia.
‘The agreement is very clear; it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series,’ said Calveley. ‘That is our expectation. It’s very important that these games are competitive.’
His remarks have sparked indignation among the rugby hierarchy Down Under, given that the opening tour game here against Western Force on Saturday will feature five Wallabies who have been cleared to bolster the home side. Their national coach, Joe Schmidt, had previously indicated his intention to keep 25 leading players in camp to prepare for a warm-up Test against Fiji, but now he has revealed that some may be released back to their Super Rugby teams after all.
With the Lions facing Queensland Reds in Brisbane next Wednesday, followed by the Waratahs in Sydney and the Brumbies in Canberra, Schmidt told the Sydney Morning Herald: ‘The ambition is there’ll be some (Wallabies squad members) going back to the Reds, and some going back to the Waratahs. But the Lions have got their squad – are they going to play their best team every week? That’s unlikely. So, are we going to play all the same players every week?
‘I’m not sure whether Andy (Farrell) was part of that discussion or whether it was just coming from the CEO, but I’ve read the tours agreement and it’s having the best intention to have the highest-quality players available. It’s not as specific as saying every Wallaby from a state or a club has to be available to play every game that the Lions come through on.’
With the Lions desperate for meaningful practice prior to the Tests, in order to have any chance of achieving cohesion, fluency and match sharpness, Schmidt insisted that they will be tested – whether he releases more players or not – especially in Brisbane on July 2. ‘The Reds have got a lot of guys who played for the Wallabies last year,’ he added.
‘Some of them are returning from injury and we wanted them to play anyway. So, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto played a lot for us last year. Josh Flook and Josh Canham played. Seru Uru played for us. Angus Blyth played. And you’ve got exciting young guys like Joe Brial.
‘Just about every player who will play (for the Reds) against the Lions was in our wider squad. Depending on how we get through these few days of training, there may be a couple of the Reds who go back from our squad again. So, I think we’re working really hard to enter into the tours agreement in the most positive way we can.’
On Saturday, the Force line-up will feature veteran Australia playmaker Kurtley Beale, who was part of the national side when the Lions last came to these shores 12 years ago. He acknowledged that it means a lot to players to represent their state side against such iconic visitors.
‘To get to represent your club against the Lions is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,’ he said. ‘Those are the memories that you look back on when you’re retired and watching series down the track. So, whenever you get that opportunity, you should take it.’
On the last two occasions that the Lions have been in Perth, they have racked up a staggering tally of 185 points in the course of two blow-out wins; 116-10 in 2001 and 69-17 in 2013. Asked if he hopes that it will be a much closer contest this time, Beale said: ‘I hope so! We’ve been training hard.
‘This one’s been locked in the calendar for a long time, so the guys are raring to go. It’s a wonderful occasion and opportunity for all involved to put in a proud performance. For WA (Western Australia) Rugby, it’s a great opportunity to showcase our game against the best in the world.’
Beale spent time playing club rugby in Europe – first for Wasps, then Racing 92 in Paris – and those stints have given him some insight into certain key figures in the Lions squad. Asked to identify their primary threats, he highlighted two former team-mates, starting with Scotland’s fly-half sorcerer, saying: ‘Number 10, Finn Russell, I played with him at Racing.
‘He’s such a mercurial, unpredictable player. With a forward pack like he will have in front of him, he can create a lot of damage. He’s obviously got some exciting backs outside him as well, who will thrive off his delivery and service. I think he will be the danger man.’
There was also a mention for a side-kick from his time at Wasps, who may emerge once again as a Test candidate. ‘Elliot Daly is a good man,’ said Beale. ‘It’s great to see him back in the Lions squad. He’s another danger man; a really good utility to have in the squad who can play everywhere and kick some long-distance goals, so he’s another huge threat.’
In theory, there is an outside chance that Beale may be called upon by Schmidt to play for his country against the Lions, just as he did a dozen years ago. If he ended up back on Wallabies duty and charged with taking any shots at goal, he would be extra careful to avoid another slip-up, after taking a fall and missing a late penalty to win the first Test in 2013.
‘That was obviously a real disappointment; an embarrassing moment,’ he said, when asked about the episode, which had a major bearing on the Lions’ 2-1 series win. ‘From that day onwards, I’ve worn studs! It was a crucial moment in the series. I still haven’t watched it properly. But you learn from that. As rugby players, it’s never-ending – you’re always learning, even at my age.’
