At last we have a test of the Lions, probably the worthiest claimant to an unofficial “fourth Test”. In truth, despite the tour debut of tour captain Sam Warburton, the preceding two Lions selections probably contained more Test starters, while the Reds are not only the strongest opponents thus far, but will most likely be the stiffest opposition outside of the Test series. Throw in a capacity Suncorp Stadium, and the 2013 tour should have lift off.
The flip side of that, of course, is that performing strongly against the Reds will carry more significance for today's Lions' starters than the two relatively bloodless coups to date. In accordance with stated pre-match policy, all bar the injured Rob Kearney will have started a game come kick-off, and Warren Gatland and co are clearly still very open-minded about what looks like an unusually fluid Test selection.
Warburton could do with a big game, while Tommy Bowe’s performance on the left-wing could be significant, as might those of the backrow and midfield, which are intensely competitive.
Significantly, this has the potential be an actual contest. The words “history” or “historic” along with “opportunity” were frequently aired by both the Reds’ coach Ewen McKenzie and captain Quade Cooper yesterday. The Reds will be endeavouring to become the first Australian provincial team to beat the Lions in a tour-game since Queensland famously defeated their rivals 15-11 in their opening tour game of 1971.
Unlike Michael Foley, who prioritised the Force’s Super 15 game at home to the Waratahs tomorrow, McKenzie gets the Lions, even if, admittedly, he was not required to plot two games inside five days.
Leaving out five players he would like to have included prompted “a few tears”, and noting that the injured Chris Feauai Sautia will be 32 the next time the Lions come to town, McKenzie said: “There’s plenty of good players who never played against the Lions, I understand that history so you’ve got to recognise that and reward it when you can.”
'Give it a crack'
Indeed, McKenzie is on record six months ago saying he would have liked his absent half-dozen Wallabies available for this game. "But in the end there are other factors in play, decisions and policies come into play that were made some time back so I've moved my thinking on. But in an ideal world I can't say I haven't laid there and dreamt about fielding the best possible side you can to give it a crack. But I think it's a great opportunity this Saturday on the tour to have a go."
Rob Howley effectively admitted that the Lions had focussed their pre-match defensive strategy more on Cooper than the rest of their opponents to date combined, notably in the Lions’ line speed, and especially their tight togetherness and communication around the 10 channel.
However, even McKenzie’s employment of Cooper at fullback defensively is, in some respects, a strength, given it can also utilise his kicking game as well his ability to counter.
Cooper’s standing with Robbie Deans undoubtedly heightens the Reds’ hopes of a famous win, and had Will Genia, James Horwill, Liam Gill and co been on hand, the odds might even have been tilted their way.
But with nine Wallabies in the starting line-up, including seven who played for Australia last year, and another three on the bench, “there’s a lot of quality in there,” admitted Howley.
The Reds ought actually to have more cohesion, and aside from the examination a Cooper-inspired attack might provide, they boast one of the two best defences in Super Rugby, charging at the gain line as quickly in defence as they do in attack, and rarely committing more than two players to the breakdown.
The Lions do have some established national combinations starting and when the going gets tough, as it assuredly might do, they also have a heavyweight bench brimming with impact. They may need them.
