‘Pork chop’ delivery but Lions boss had a point, and Wallabies have a point to prove

2 months ago 26

The drip-by-drip release of Wallabies players back to their franchises must be a form of water torture for British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley.

Armed with a rock-solid argument, as expressed here, Calveley somehow managed to lose the moral high ground earlier this week with his heavy-handed demand that Joe Schmidt release all his Wallabies.

Calveley may quickly want to acquaint himself with the Australian phrase, ‘carrying on like a pork chop’.

Following his outburst, Schmidt has subsequently released Ben Donaldson, Hunter Paisami and Matt Faessler to the Force and Reds respectively, with Donaldson replacing the injured Kurtley Beale.

That may not be enough to please the Lions, who understandably want some high-quality opposition before the Test series, but in pure sporting terms it is an enormous opportunity for Donaldson and Paisami in particular.

Donaldson could really impact Schmidt’s thinking about his bench with a strong performance at No. 15 against the Lions in Perth on Saturday. We already know that Schmidt wants to see more of Donaldson the athlete, the one that started Super Rugby Pacific looking like a million bucks due to his running game.

Donaldson’s pace and ability to cover fullback are the attributes that set him apart from the other No. 10 candidates for the Wallabies, Noah Lolesio and Tom Lynagh.

Assuming that Lolesio starts the first Test, then the Force game is Donaldson’s chance to convince Schmidt he can be more of a change agent off the bench than Lynagh.

Ben Donaldson in action for the Wallabies against Argentina last year.

He’ll also have to deal with the educated kicking game of Lions fullback Elliot Daly in covering the backfield, but Schmidt will be looking for a bit of spark. Opportunities are fleeting in a Lion series – Donaldson has to deliver on Saturday.

The path into the Wallabies lineup looks a bit more complicated for Paisami. Indeed, it was a surprise to see him released to the Reds for their game next Wednesday, given that Paisami was the only out-and-out No. 12 included in the Wallabies’ 36-man squad.

That suggests that Schmidt is committed to a midfield role for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii alongside Len Ikitau at No. 12, but it would be unwise to shut the door too early on Paisami.

While the Lions ultimately fluffed their lines against Argentina last weekend, it was obvious from their heavily patterned style of play that they are going to ask a lot of defensive questions, and the Wallabies midfield will have to answer them.

There is probably still a case for Ikitau at No. 13, where he is such a good defender, and Suaalii at No. 14 after he spent most of his interrupted Waratahs campaign in the back three.

But if that is to work, someone really has to stand up at No. 12. Hamish Stewart’s defensive qualities will be critical for the Force against the Lions on Saturday, but he was overlooked for the initial Wallabies squad so Paisami is the man who is really playing snakes and ladders over the next week - a strong game in Brisbane would give Schmidt a welcome headache.

The third interesting piece of Schmidt’s policy this week was the non-release of Reds tighthead prop Zane Nonggorr. Either there is an undisclosed niggle hampering Allan Alaalatoa or Taniela Tupou or the Tongan Thor really is under a bit of selection pressure to maintain his spot in the Wallabies 23.

With that in mind, it wouldn’t be an enormous shock to see him released to play for the Waratahs against the Lions, as a way for Schmidt and co to get a proper read on where his head is. It would likely be advantageous for both player and coach.

As for the Force game against the Lions on Saturday, the home side look well equipped to rattle some (rib) cages with Vaiolini Ekuasi at No. 8 and Nick Champion de Crespigny providing a big presence at No. 7.

That said, franchise/provincial rugby and Test rugby aren’t even in the same neighbourhood these days, despite domestic finals across the world prompting the “near Test-like intensity” clichés at this time of year.

The reality is that there is a big gap, and if the Force finish the game within 20 points of the Lions it will be a job well done, and something of a riposte to old mate Calveley.