“There’s talk about probably making sure we have enough avenue for Wallabies players to have access to that game, particularly as it’s the last major match before the Test series starts. No doubt there’s going to be some moves in that area to get some players in there, to be able to give them more game time, and [give] Joe [Schmidt] and the coaching team at the Wallabies more insight to what they’re looking at in terms of their players.
“Make no mistake, we want to try and get that quality in, for sure, [but] in the right positions that allow us to expose the players that we want to. We don’t want to close out any opportunities for our [Australian] guys in certain positions. So, those discussions will be ongoing, and we need to be fluid right to the last minutes.”
With the AUNZ game scheduled as the last tour game before the first Test in Brisbane a week later, the Lions will almost certainly deploy the first-choice team they intend to use at Suncorp Stadium.
When putting the 2025 tour schedule together, the Lions management were at pains to say they didn’t want to play a quasi fourth Test against an Australia “A” side.
In a hard-fought and feisty clash in 2001, an Australia A side coached by Eddie Jones rolled the Lions in Gosford, and several other tour matches also saw the Lions cop mountains of aggression and physicality from the Australian state sides.
Though it may have a festival vibe, Kiss said there would be a huge intensity to the AUNZ-Lions clash and the hosts will also be looking to do their part to help the Wallabies a week later.
“I think if you look at what the possibilities could be in terms of personalities in that squad, there’s going to be a lot of competitive people there. They’ll want to do something special themselves,” Kiss said.
British and Irish Lions player Austin Healey is lifted over the head of Australia A player Graeme Bond during their tour match in Gosford in 2001.Credit: REUTERS
“I can’t see anything but a super competitive battle, really. They’re going to be loaded. They’re very physical, very talented right across the squad. We’ll do our best to get out there and bash them, for sure.
“We want to make sure we make it an enjoyable experience, but get out there and make sure we do a job that can soften the Lions up a bit for us.”
Menawhile, Reds five-eighth Tom Lynagh has suffered a broken finger, throwing his involvement in tour matches against the Lions into doubt and potentially limiting his chances of playing in the Test series.
The AUNZ jersey, which was unveiled by RA chief executive Phil Waugh and coach Les Kiss.Credit: Rugby Australia
Lynagh picked up a finger fracture as the Reds’ Super Rugby campaign ended last week and is facing a three- to four-week recovery, which will see him racing the clock to be fit to play for Queensland against the Lions on July 2, or for the Wallabies against Fiji on July 6.
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There is confidence Lynagh’s injury is not major, and he will be fine by the start of the Wallabies-Lions Test series on July 19.
But sitting behind Noah Lolesio, at least, in the pecking order of Wallabies five-eighths, Lynagh’s hopes of winning the No.10 jersey for the first Test could potentially rest on a standout performance for the Reds against the Lions.
The AUNZ game could also be an opportunity for a final audition, but Kiwi superstar Richie Mo’unga is set to also play in the game as a marquee attraction in the No.10 role.
