Growing up in Johannesburg during the 1990s and early 2000s, my father had a strong opinion about the Canberra-based rugby team.
“Bloody Brumbies,” he would say. For years, they were seen as the toughest opponents in Australian rugby. Names like Gregan, Larkham, Giteau, Mortlock, Smith, Roff, and Moore defined their era.
It’s somewhat satisfying to see them performing well once again. And who could forget their victory over the Lions in 2013?
Could this current squad achieve something similar?
This looks like the Lions’ probable Test lineup.
Maro Itoje returns as captain, partnering Ireland’s Joe McCarthy in the second row. The half-backs are likely the same duo expected to face the Wallabies, while Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn, fresh from winning the Top 14, takes the fullback position. The midfield is an all-Ireland pairing.
The biggest selection dilemmas remain in the back row, where Tom Curry and Ollie Chessum are still competing for Test spots. Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock are set to reinforce from the bench. Marcus Smith continues in his role as an impact replacement.
British and Irish Lions:
15 Blair Kinghorn; 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements:
16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Josh van der Flier, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Mack Hansen.
The Brumbies, the strongest Australian club side, include Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper in their squad.
Hooper featured in the narrow win over Fiji recently and starts again. However, the Canberra side will be without several key Wallabies, including James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, and Noah Lolesio, who is sidelined for the Test series due to a neck injury suffered against Fiji.
ACT Brumbies:
15 Andy Muirhead; 14 Ben O’Donnell, 13 Ollie Sapsford, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole; 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c); 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Lington Ieli.
Replacements:
16 Liam Bowron, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachie Hooper, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Hudson Creighton.
Preview
We’re nearing the decisive phase. Andy Farrell has selected a lineup that resembles a Test team, indicating that key decisions are taking shape. With the Wallabies clash just over a week away, does he have his ideal midfield, back row, and bench in mind?
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