Wallabies v Lions Game 2 MCG 26 July

[Wilson]

I do think it would send a good message if they came out tomorrow and said LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was added to the squad. Reward performance whether he plays game 2 or not

I don't think there's much room for anyone from tonight's game to back up this weekend, but I expect a few of them will join the squad - Samu was already training with them, but you'd have to think Salakaia-Loto, Swain, Uru and (to a lesser degree) BPA have all made a pretty good case for a recall. Wouldn't be amazed to see them call Reilly or Muirhead in if Daugunu is ruled out either. That said Flook has already been training with them, so he might be first inline if Daugunu is out, especially if they are more interested in 13 cover.

 

[TSR]

My big take was that, once again, the Lions looked a lot more vulnerable when the defence is coming hard at them.

For all the talk of our forward packing getting dominated (and it was) it makes it a bit easier to match physicality of you’re cutting down time and space.

 

[Tomthumb]

My big take was that, once again, the Lions looked a lot more vulnerable when the defence is coming hard at them.

For all the talk of our forward packing getting dominated (and it was) it makes it a bit easier to match physicality of you’re cutting down time and space.

Agreed, everyone on earth looks worse under pressure. Problem is the entire defensive system that has been implemented is the complete opposite of that

 

[Major Tom]

Agreed, everyone on earth looks worse under pressure. Problem is the entire defensive system that has been implemented is the complete opposite of that

Sooner fisher gets the boot the better. I reckon it’s probably the only part of our game that hasn’t improved under Schmidt.

 

[Dctarget]

Salakaia-Loto zero chance of playing this game but definitely should be added to the squad.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

News is it will be an interesting bench!

 

[Braveheart81]

Last night made it very clear that we need substantially increased physicality across the park if we want to compete. It was a bit of a perfect storm in the first test where the 3 forwards unavailable for selection were all key parts of the physicality we can bring.

While we selected the players we had available from the squad we ended up with a pack that lacked the balance required. If it had been possible we'd have likely faired better with Salakaia-Loto filling that Skelton role and another bruiser in the back row. It was all workrate and no punch.

I'd certainly bring Lukhan into the squad and potentially a couple of others. They're not really a chance for the second test but they can compete for the third test.

 

[Uh huh]

I don't think there's much room for anyone from tonight's game to back up this weekend, but I expect a few of them will join the squad - Samu was already training with them, but you'd have to think Salakaia-Loto, Swain, Uru and (to a lesser degree) BPA have all made a pretty good case for a recall. Wouldn't be amazed to see them call Reilly or Muirhead in if Daugunu is ruled out either. That said Flook has already been training with them, so he might be first inline if Daugunu is out, especially if they are more interested in 13 cover.

Unfortunately Muirhead didn't cover himself in glory. He did some great work in defence (including towelling up van der Flier for a clutch try-line turnover) but he made a couple of poor kicks that really stuck out. Reilly was great.

 

[Uh huh]

Honestly persisting with Frost and overlooking Swain & LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) are the only real errors Schmidt has made in his short tenure. Definitely errors though.

Or at least persisting with Frost but giving him a big body to balance him out.

Yeah I've come around to Frost, but you're absolutely right that he needs some bigger hitters around him. Skelton to start and Salakaia-Loto off the bench was my preference before the FNP game and remains such.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Been reading all the Tom Lynagh comments. Let’s just be brutally honest. If Tom’s surname was not Lynagh he would still be playing club footy in England. No way in hell Tom with surname XYZ would have been given the opportunities he is given.

Here is the true measuring stick, he will not make the bench, never mind start in any of the other tier 1 nations in the world. We all like a feel good story but unfortunately it does not win games. I am a Lonergan fan but bagging Jake for Tom not performing is sad.

The nepotism card? Really? Now that thinking is sad.

 

[KOB1987]

The nepotism card? Really? Now that thinking is sad.

When I read old mate's post I honed in on this bit - "Here is the true measuring stick, he will not make the bench, never mind start in any of the other tier 1 nations in the world" - because while that is probably true of Tom, it's also probably true of every single one of our domestic fly half options.

 

[Maulalltheway]

Pete Samu training with the Wallabies this week (and posted to Instagram in full kit), could be a smokey for the bench

Wallabies on Instagram: "@pete_samu back in national colours #Wallabies #LionsTour2025"

1,246 likes, 10 comments - wallabies on July 22, 2025: "@pete_samu back in national colours #Wallabies #LionsTour2025".

www.instagram.com

Probably more likely to "officially" join the squad later and be a chance for test 3 though.

just pick him on the bench. lions scared of him

 

[SamoanNo8]

Why are we so worried about the bench when we were down by 19 points after 42 minutes

Start the best man and go from there

Agree. Julian Linden agrees via his piece in The Australian today:

"With Skelton and possibly Carlo Tizzano also coming on, the Wallabies can still retain enough firepower for the second half but they need to take some risks to make sure there’s still something to play for when they do get on."

 

[Rugby Head]

News is it will be an interesting bench!

Any early mail?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Unfortunately Muirhead didn't cover himself in glory. He did some great work in defence (including towelling up van der Flier for a clutch try-line turnover) but he made a couple of poor kicks that really stuck out. Reilly was great.

Nah, Reilly played like it was a game of League. Attempted four intercepts, only one of which came off. The other three instances left an already thin defensive line even more exposed. He simply doesn't look like a Rugby player of the ilk of Jorgensen.

 

[Derpus]

Nah, Reilly played like it was a game of League. Attempted four intercepts, only one of which came off. The other three instances left an already thin defensive line even more exposed. He simply doesn't look like a Rugby player of the ilk of Jorgensen.

Main issue for Reilly is he is half a step too slow for test rugby. Don't really mind his lower percentage plays in a tour game.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Squidge's review of test 1 is out. Great viewing if you want to get some insight into what the Wallabies were trying, and why it didn't work. Lynagh doesn't come out of it looking ready either

 

[Wilson]

Squidge's review of test 1 is out. Great viewing if you want to get some insight into what the Wallabies were trying, and why it didn't work. Lynagh doesn't come out of it looking ready either

Generally yes, though it's worth noting that he's very complimentary of the accuracy of Lynagh's kicking game and the associated strategy, which does help explain why he was preferred over Donaldson, who doesn't have the same degree of control.

 

[Tomthumb]

Generally yes, though it's worth noting that he's very complimentary of the accuracy of Lynagh's kicking game and the associated strategy, which does help explain why he was preferred over Donaldson, who doesn't have the same degree of control.

Yes but he was equally critical if his inability to run the attack or take the ball to the line.

Giving up the ability to attack with our outside backs to try and win a kicking duel vs the Lions feels like we are playing into their hands

 

[Derpus]

Yes but he was equally critical if his inability to run the attack or take the ball to the line.

Giving up the ability to attack with our outside backs to try and win a kicking duel vs the Lions feels like we are playing into their hands

They actually don't seem that great at covering the backfield or dealing with the aerial attack. We just kicked too deep and without enough hang time. I would keep targetting that personally and just ditch the passive D.