Wallaby legend George Gregan is rallying behind Joe Schmidt’s squad to keep the British and Irish Lions series alive, urging the players to “write their names in the history books” during their upcoming clash in Melbourne on Saturday. A defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) would hand the Lions an unassailable 2-0 lead following their victory in Brisbane, where the Wallabies’ vulnerabilities were laid bare until a late surge saw them narrow the gap to a 27-19 loss.
Nevertheless, the 139-cap World Cup winner draws optimism from the return of No.8 Rob Valetini, who Gregan believes has the potential to emulate the game-changing performances of Ardie Savea for the All Blacks. “It’s probably the biggest game in this country for the Wallabies for a very long time,” Gregan remarked. “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.”
The Importance of the Breakdown Battle
Gregan, a pivotal figure in the Wallabies’ 2-1 series win over the Lions in 2001, understands the significance of bouncing back from an initial test defeat. Reflecting on past experiences, he noted the crucial nature of the breakdown battle, which he believes will be decisive in the upcoming match. “There is never any magic science or magic sword, and if you lose the gainline battle the game becomes more difficult,” Gregan explained.
“The breakdown is huge and this was always going to be the most important battle in this series. When the Lions get that quick ball you can see what they can do, they get numbers, play with width and score points quickly.”
Gregan emphasized the need for the Wallabies to adapt to the referee’s interpretation and win the gainline battle to disrupt the Lions’ rhythm. The return of key forwards like Valetini and Will Skelton is seen as crucial to this effort.
Lessons from the Past
The pressure is mounting on Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt to equip his team against the formidable Lions. Gregan draws parallels with the experienced 2001 squad, which had previously clinched the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the Tri-Nations series, and the Bledisloe Cup. He highlighted the importance of consistent preparation and honest self-assessment following a loss.
“When we had a loss, we were very honest with ourselves in the review and identified a couple of key areas that let us down quite badly in the first 2001 test against quality players. If you give quality players an inch, then they take a mile, and this is exactly what they did in Brisbane.”
Gregan remains confident that the Wallabies can rectify their mistakes and rise to the occasion. He emphasized the importance of quick ball play and maintaining possession to unsettle the Lions.
Looking Ahead to Melbourne
As the Wallabies prepare for the second test, Gregan’s insights offer a blend of optimism and caution. He acknowledges the challenges but believes in the team’s potential to turn the series around. “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 said.
Ultimately, Gregan sees the upcoming match as a defining moment for Australian rugby. “For Australian rugby union, it doesn’t get any bigger than this and it’s a chance to put everything on the line,” he concluded. “Then it comes down to who executes in the big moments, and I hope that is the Wallabies. I will be there in my gold Wallaby jersey.”
