Wallaby legend George Gregan is rallying behind Joe Schmidt’s squad, urging them to make history in Melbourne this Saturday by keeping the British and Irish Lions series alive. A defeat at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground would hand the Lions an unassailable 2-0 lead, following their victory in Brisbane where the Wallabies’ weaknesses were laid bare until a late resurgence saw them fall short at 27-19.
The former captain and 139-cap World Cup winner is optimistic about the return of No.8 Rob Valetini, whom Gregan likens to Ardie Savea of the All Blacks for his ability to dominate the breakdown and gainline battles. Gregan stated, “It’s probably the biggest game in this country for the Wallabies for a very long time. Rob fights for metres after contact, and like Ardie Savea, you don’t tackle him and he drops, he keeps going. Rob will have a big impact in the contact area.”
Historical Context and Challenges
Gregan’s confidence stems from his own experiences in the 2001 series against the Lions, where the Wallabies rebounded from a first Test defeat in Brisbane to clinch the series. The Wallabies had suffered a 29-13 loss, only to come back stronger with a 35-14 victory in Melbourne and a 29-23 win in Sydney to take the series.
“You know heading into the second Test that you have to front up or the series is done,” Gregan reflected. “As a player, these are the moments and games you want to be part of, showing some grit and character and turning things around.”
Strategic Adjustments and Key Players
The Wallabies’ strategy will be under scrutiny, especially after opting to start the first Test with rookie Tom Lynagh and Jake Gordon at half-back. Their best moments, however, came with try-scorer Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson in those roles. Gregan noted, “The breakdown was hard and so the half-backs were struggling to find rhythm in that first 40-50 mins with most of the play in the Wallaby half.”
He emphasized the need for quick ball and gainline parity, which were evident in the Wallabies’ improved performance towards the end of the first Test. “Tate always lifts things, playing with a lot of energy and is dangerous around the ruck,” Gregan added.
Expert Insights and Forward-Looking Analysis
The pressure is mounting on Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt to equip his team with the necessary tools to dismantle the Lions’ formidable lineup. The return to fitness of key forwards Valetini and the towering Will Skelton could be pivotal in this endeavor.
Gregan shared insights from his own experiences, “We had an experienced squad and were very consistent in how we approached and reviewed every match. When we had a loss, we were very honest with ourselves in the review and identified key areas that let us down.”
“If you give quality players an inch then they take a mile, and this is exactly what they did in Brisbane.”
Looking ahead, Gregan is optimistic about the Wallabies’ chances, citing their late-game performance as a promising sign. “My heart says the Wallabies for this second Test, and what I saw in that final quarter was promising because that is the way to make the Lions feel a bit uncomfortable and not find their rhythm,” he concluded.
As the Wallabies prepare for this crucial encounter, all eyes will be on Melbourne to see if they can rise to the occasion and keep the series alive. Gregan, ever the patriot, will be there in his gold Wallaby jersey, hoping to witness another historic comeback.
