Because the Autumn Nations Collection wraps up for an additional yr, it’s truthful to say assumptions round subsequent yr’s British & Irish Lions tour have change into a lot murkier.
The Wallabies coming into this tour have been anticipated to battle, with wins laborious to come back by.
As a substitute, with a match to go, they’ve now damaged a ten-year drought at Twickenham, left Cardiff with their largest win over Wales at Millennium Stadium and, whereas the grand slam run led to Scotland amid disrupted preparations, accidents and a shocking efficiency by the house aspect, there was loads of thrilling prospects to attract consideration to.
Seems there’s life within the Lions collection simply but – and never solely have a number of key Wallabies stood up, however have proven themselves to be efficient weapons in opposition to many gamers who’re anticipated to placed on the Lions jersey subsequent yr.
As we method Eire, we’ve collated a number of key gamers that we expect might be thrilling head-to-head rivals when the Lions arrive subsequent yr.
Suppose there’s a participant or a head-to-head contest we’re sleeping on? Tell us within the feedback.
Harry Wilson has excelled in each maroon and gold. (Photograph by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Pictures)
The aggressors: Lukhan Salakia-Loto & Harry Wilson (vs. Jonny Hill & Tadhg Berne)
The Lions are set to come back to Australia with no scarcity of massive lads, from the just about sure inclusion of thrilling gamers like Tadhg Berne to exterior challengers like Jonny Hill – the person who stored Darcy Swain up at evening after the 2022 England collection.
In response although, Harry Wilson has been phenomenal in 2024, his leading-by-actions method and talent to get in amongst the muck mirrored within the enchancment of each outcomes and self-discipline within the Wallabies.
One other success has been Lukhan Salakia-Loto, who has loved a robust yr throughout the park. Time abroad has confirmed invaluable for the massive lock, proving particularly efficient off the bench. Beneath Joe Schmidt and Les Kiss on the Reds, anticipate him to solely develop in confidence and physicality.
Carlo Tizzano has change into one of many Western Drive’s most enjoyable merchandise. (Photograph by Matt Roberts/Getty Pictures)
The jackler: Carlo Tizzano (vs Caelan Doris)
Harry Wilson would even be within the working right here – additional reflecting Australia’s free ahead depth. Over the previous few years, the Wallabies have lacked a component of physicality; generally, you simply want an enormous bastard to assault rucks, smash folks and commit homicide.
Shifting again residence to the Western Drive has been good for Carlo Tizzano. Off the again of a robust Tremendous Rugby season, the flanker has not solely bolted into the Wallaby squad to change into a worthy challenger knocking on the door behind Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini and Wilson, however he introduced physicality and consistency.
His 240 tackles throughout Tremendous Rugby Pacific (averaging 17 a recreation) made him the main tackler in the entire competitors in 2024 – and that carried over into the Rugby Championship, making 35 tackles in opposition to South Africa with a 100% success price and hitting a mammoth 60 rucks in two video games.
He’ll have his work minimize out in opposition to a number of skilled ruckmen within the Lions – notably Eire skipper Caelan Doris, who has been named within the 2023 and 2024 World Rugby Dream Workforce of the 12 months. Face to face, the Irishman would possible have Tizzano’s quantity – however the West Australian has proven up a number of gamers who made that group.
When fellow Wallaby John Nasser thinks you ‘have a number of screws free’, you’ve left an impression.
The attacking weapon: Len Ikitau (vs Huw Jones, Garry Ringrose)
The centres might be an interesting contest in July subsequent yr and certain be a significant factor in who wins the collection.
This was confirmed in opposition to Scotland, with Sione Tuipolotu and Huw Jones getting the higher of their counterparts. Jones, having been a longtime a part of the Scottish aspect, is a frontrunner to make the Lions, as will his Irish counterpart, Garry Ringrose.
Collectively, you’ve gotten two attacking weapons that may not solely rating tries, however function efficient distributors to open up different gamers. Nevertheless, on this regard, Australia has a confirmed world-class response of their very own.
It’s unimaginable to consider how a lot Len Ikitau has achieved in his 30-odd Take a look at matches. A longtime member of the centres, it has usually come all the way down to who you pair with him for Australia’s assault. At Tremendous Rugby stage, only a few can beat him.
Whereas fellow Brumby Tom Wright would even be in consideration, the sheer versatility of Ikitau will show crucial – if he bests his reverse quantity, Australia’s probabilities of successful a match – and a collection – change significantly.
The key weapon: Allan Aalaatoa (vs Cian Healy)
There are such a lot of choices on each side as to who’s essentially the most underrated participant – however in reality, it comes all the way down to your entrance row.
Cian Healy is likely to be within the latter levels of his profession, however the 133-capped Irish star might be a robust head of expertise for Andy Farrell to show to, having been included in earlier excursions – notably, the 2013 Australian tour.
If picked, he’ll come up in opposition to backup Wallaby captain Allan Aalaatoa. An influential determine throughout the Brumbies and Wallabies, the rupturing of his Achilles in 2023 began the derailment of the Wallabies’ World Cup marketing campaign.
With a number of years left within the tank and coming again into a robust groove in Schmidt’s set-up, proving particularly efficient off the bench, Aalaatoa will show a handful within the closing championship minutes of all three Lions Exams.
Marcus Smith. (Photograph by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group through Getty Pictures)
The surprise child: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (vs Marcus Smith)
It didn’t take lengthy for the Wallabies’ new golden baby to claim himself. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has a shiny future forward of him in gold, and his sheer versatility to play anyplace makes him extraordinarily harmful.
His passing, recreation consciousness and talent to unleash different weapons are much more spectacular when you think about how younger he’s in his profession. With much more time within the saddle and a full Waratahs season below his belt, he might change into the participant most Lions stars might be looking out for.
Nevertheless, reverse him is without doubt one of the most enjoyable flyhalves in world rugby, Marcus Smith. Whereas Finn Russell could be thought of the front-runner for the Lions’ beginning flyhalf, Smith’s skill to place gamers in area is nearly as good as Suaalii’s. He additionally has plenty of expertise below his belt with over 160 caps at a provincial stage, insane when you think about he’s nonetheless solely 25.
Whereas Suaalii received the higher of him this Autumn Collection, you’d again Smith to discover a solution to strike again all through a Lions collection and be a greater than succesful substitute ought to Russell go down.
Maro Itoje. (Photograph by Adam Davy/PA Pictures through Getty Pictures)
The lineout common: Jeremy Williams (vs. Maro Itoje)
Staying at Twickenham, if there was one aspect of that contest that stunned many followers, it was the sturdy efficiency proven by the Wallaby lineout – most notably, the efficiency of Jeremy Williams.
The lack of the Wallaby rookie hours out from the Scotland Take a look at was noticeable, particularly if you evaluate it with how effectively he out-played England and Lions veteran Maro Itoje.
Itoje will possible be within the dialog for 2025, having been a key a part of the final two Lions excursions to New Zealand and South Africa. An astounding competitor, the England lock will possible have his eye on the thrilling Western Drive gun, and it units up one of many much less mentioned, however no much less compelling contests.
Rob Valetini. (Photograph by Jason McCawley/Getty Pictures)
The X-Issue: Fraser McReight & Rob Valetini (vs. Josh van der Flier & Aaron Wainwright)
If there’s one place the Wallabies look extra harmful than another, it’s the high quality of depth and gamers within the free forwards.
On the high of the pile are world-class choices Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini, the previous inflicting all kinds of issues for Wales and England all through 2024, with the latter being essentially the most constant performer in gold during the last a number of years.
These are gamers who can, and have, received matches for the Wallabies.
The free ahead battle can be what makes the conflict this weekend in opposition to Eire such an thrilling appetiser for the Lions – along with dealing with Caelan Doris, the Wallabies should include the unimaginable expertise that’s Josh van der Flier, one of many shining stars of the Irish group throughout their surge below Schmidt and Farrell.
A possible participant who may also be a part of them is without doubt one of the shining lights out of Wales, Aaron Wainwright. In a yr to neglect for the boys in scarlet, Wainwright got here near single-handedly successful Wales a number of video games – together with the primary Take a look at of the July collection in opposition to the Wallabies – and when put in a aspect with momentum below their belt, the Welsh free ahead will possible flourish.
Tadhg Furlong in motion throughout British and Irish Lions tour in South Africa. (Photograph By Ashley Vlotman/Sportsfile through Getty Pictures)
Most beneficial participant: Angus Bell (vs. Tadhg Furlong)
Lastly, it’s the everlasting query – who’s the participant that not solely can carry each groups on their shoulders however ought to they go down, might possible decide the collection as a complete?
In an Andy Farrell-coached Lions aspect, Tadhg Furlong is a pure inclusion. Whereas 2024 has seen the Irish prop hampered by harm, the expansion of Irish rugby has come hand-in-hand together with his development into probably the most formidable gamers worldwide.
Till 2024, Furlong was the one participant to be chosen in each World Rugby Dream Workforce of the 12 months since its inception in 2021. A close to 80-capped veteran, he’s additionally participated within the final two Lions collection, beginning in each Take a look at match. If there’s any anchor to an already imposing Lions squad, it’s this Leinster star.
Who can the Wallabies produce in response to such an skilled participant?
Angus Bell in motion in opposition to the Springboks in Perth, Australia. (Photograph by James Worsfold/Getty Pictures)
Australia’s rising choices within the entrance row haven’t gone unnoticed, with a blossoming contingent of recent expertise led by Taniela Tupou, Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper, who convey a mixed 278 caps between them alone.
But when there’s any participant that sums up the Wallabies in 2024, it’s Angus Bell.
A barnstorming, harmful runner who broke 9 tackles at Twickenham, Bell has proven when he will get on high, it’s laborious to beat him. With an engine that allows him to play practically the complete eighty minutes in practically each recreation, he’s a microcosm of the entire group – throwing all the things they will muster to be the aspect that reverses years of decline.
Bell, just like the Wallabies at giant, does have weaknesses – notably his scrummaging. Nevertheless, there isn’t a denying the expertise he has – and may he overcome these weaknesses, the remainder of the Wallabies will rise with him.
