FORMER WALLABY CAPTAIN Stirling Mortlock says the ever-crucial breakdown exchanges will be a “battle royale” during tomorrow’s second Test between Australia and the Lions.
The Lions narrowly escaped with a win in Brisbane last week thanks to a luckless slip from Kurtley Beale on his last kick off the game.
And with the tour having decamped to Melbourne for the week, Mortlock and his fellow Australians are bullish about their chances of leveling the series.
“I was most concerned about our first test match.” Mortlock said in an interview with Newstalk’s Oisin Langan.
“It was our first game of the season and the players were only in camp for two weeks and they hadn’t played a game. We were going to be rusty, our combinations weren’t quite there and systems were off as well.
“In reality, we weren’t far off. A lot better than I expected. Our defence could improve. But our set-piece, the way forwards played really impressed me.”
Retreat
The Wallabies ended the game with nine forwards as flanker Michael Hooper had been asked to slot into the centre with both Christian Leali’ifano and Pat McCabe carried off injured. However, that had no bearing on the Lions dwindling power in the scrum.
The set-piece which was trumpeted as an area of complete dominance on their arrival down under is now at best a level playing field. Mortlock, however, is awaiting an upturn in the red pack’s shove at both set-piece and open play.
“The Lions will be fired up.” He says. “Their forward pack will be smarting from the Wallabies, seeming to, get a little bit of dominance. Especially towards the end of the second half.
“It’s going to be a battle royale, I’ve got no doubt about that at all. I was impressed with the physicality of the entire [first Test] game, but in particular at the tackle and breakdown – that battle is going to be fierce. I think the Wallabies got a slight nod in that department, so I’ve no doubt the British and Irish Lions will be absolutely gunning to win the physical battle tomorrow.”
He added: “It’s going to be a Titanic battle. It’s hard to fore-see, but I think the intensity of the tackle and the physicality will be even increased from the first test. It should be magnificent viewing.”
