British & Irish Lions news: Six Wallabies to look out for on the eagerly awaited tour to Australia
With the British and Irish Lions squad officially confirmed by Head Coach Andy Farrell and his team, it’s time to look forward to the team in gold and green looking to crush the hearts of stalwart Lions supporters.
After a turbulent couple of years for Australian rugby, the appointment of Joe Schmidt in that team has galvanised the national outfit and aided in steadying the ship.
With the Wallabies going from strength to strength, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Jacob Garrett assesses six of the national team’s most relentless players to look out for on tour.
Angus Bell (Loose-Head Prop)
The prop forward from the New South Wales Waratahs has found himself in ‘Best Loose-head in the world’ conversations over the last calendar year.
Particularly pertaining to his work in the loose when games stretch and become more expansive.
Being over 125 kg, Bell moves as if he were a fraction of his weight.
Throughout the 2024 Rugby Championship, he led in an array of statistics for what his position generally requires, with a 90% tackle success rate and over 70 metres of post-contact metres made in the tournament.
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Much like Lions and England star Ellis Genge, his unique selling point (USP) is definitely his carrying ability.
Seeing the powerhouse boulder his way through defences both in Super Rugby and on the international stage has left viewers in awe.
Despite being a dynamic carrier and ball player, the Waratah is still handy when it comes to scrum time and should provide an interesting battle for the likes of Will Stuart and Tadhg Furlong.
The loosehead is certainly someone to keep an eye out for on the fast pitches in the Land Down Under.
Rob Valentini (Loose-Forward)
The Brumbies backrower has recently converted from a number eight to a blindside flanker, and has continued to flourish.
His striking, high-volume hair makes him hard to ignore, especially when he is involved in all the good work done within the Wallabies forward pack.
Valentini’s talismanic performances have seen him top the ranks within his team for carries, tackles, and turnovers.
This work has earned him back-to-back John Eales Medals (the award given to the best Australian rugby player of the year).
With the back row being the most fruitful and competitive section of the Lions squad, it will be a very interesting battle for the likes of Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Josh Van Der Flier or even the Northampton Saints starlet, Henry Pollock.
Tate McDermott (Scrum-Half)
The Queensland Reds’ dynamic scrum-half is a serious live-wire at the base of any scrum or breakdown.
After a strong Autumn Nations Series Tour of the northern hemisphere, McDermott will be looking to cause issues against the Lions come the summer.
With the likelihood that he will be coming off the bench against the tired legs of Farrell’s men, he will look to open gaps in the Lions’ defenses for himself and his teammates.
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I would certainly liken him to England’s Alex Mitchell, due to his frequency of picking the ball off the base, giving himself time to pick gaps.
His speed of ball is up there with the very best, and is constantly a threat with ball in hand with his fancy stepping (recently scoring a very clever try for the Reds in their most recent Super Rugby encounter).
It will certainly be an intriguing watch seeing him go up against one of the best nines in the Northern Hemisphere, and the world, in Jamison Gibson-Park.
Len Ikitau (Centre)
Ikitau’s ability to facilitate those around him with quality skills and physicality is up there with the best of the best.
Alongside his outstanding capabilities on defense, sporting a 85% tackle success rate (some of the best numbers in the world).
The brute of the inside centre currently plys his trade for the Brumbies, will be moving to the Exeter Chiefs come the 25/26 season.
Going up against stars in the form of Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki should provide a real test for the soon-to-be Chief.
Fans in the South West of England will be very excited by this transfer, seeing one of the most complete centres in the game coming to Sandy Park.
Joseph Sua'ali'i (Centre and Outside-Back)
The Waratahs star is a walking highlight reel.
The NRL star recently moved over to Rugby Union for an eye-watering 5.35 million Australian dollars over a three-year contract.
His marketability and pure quality with ball-in-hand has made that number look very justified.
His performance against Steve Borthwick’s England was one of the best that I could remember in recent times.
His pure athleticism mixed with his offloading ability makes him a player who you simply cannot take your eyes off.
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The star has real game-breaking quality.
With the ability to play in both the centres and back three, Schmidt has a real dream of a player.
If the Wallabies are looking to make an upset against the Lions, this man will be at the very heart of it.
With a real battle set to ensue, it will be interesting to see how Farrell and his men combat the game breaking star.
Tom Wright (Full-Back)
Yet another ex-Rugby League man who has successfully transitioned to the rugby union style of play.
Playing across the back three but now finding himself at full-back, the Brumbies star will be a handful on the counter-attack.
Another pure athlete with raw pace and power, Wright has worked on the tactical side of the game - with a cannon of a boot and the ability to shift the point of attack with his ranged passing game.
His battle with the likes of Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn and James Lowe will certainly be one to watch out for over the summer.
Wright is a quality player with the ability to spark something from nothing in Schmidt’s ranks.
Overall, Farrell’s charges will have plenty on their hands to look out and prepare for come the end of June.
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