Joe Schmidt reacts to Owen Farrell's Lions selection to face Wallabies

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt believes it wasn’t “a massive surprise” to see Owen Farrell’s name on the British & Irish Lions team sheet, with the playmaker named on the bench for the second Test of the Lions Series.

Farrell wasn’t initially selected in the squad to tour Australia, with father and Lions coach Andy picking Finn Russell, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith as the three 10s instead. But an injury to outside back Elliot Daly prompted a headline-grabbing change to the squad.

Daly sustained an injury against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, which saw Farrell called in ahead of the Lions’ clash with the NSW Waratahs in Sydney. Farrell didn’t play until the match against the AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide, coming off the bench at Adelaide Oval.

Carlos Spencer on touring South Africa with Black Ferns XV

Carlos Spencer on touring South Africa with Black Ferns XV

Ahead of Saturday’s Test at the MCG, Farrell made a statement by starring at inside centre against the First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday. The 33-year-old was a constant playmaking threat while playing the full 80 minutes in a match for the first time since April 28.

“He looked like he was directing a lot of the traffic on Tuesday… I was an observer like everyone else but he certainly appeared to be demonstrating those leadership skills, that ability to help other players see the game and adapt to what’s required,” Schmidt told reporters.

“His ability to bring experience off the bench and a cool head, plus he’s probably quite versatile in where you can put him, as far as 10 or 12 is concerned he’s pretty comfortable in either of those positions.

“Owen coming in there after Fin Smith played a big innings on Tuesday is probably not a massive surprise.”

The Lions have made some massive changes to their side, as they look to wrap up the series before flying to Sydney. Bundee Aki has replaced Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre, Ollie Cheesum has come into the run-on side, and so too has Andrew Porter.

Australia have made some significant changes of their own as well, with La Rochelle lock Will Skelton returning from injury. Former Wallabies captain David Porecki has been named at hooker, and Langi Gleeson is back on the bench after missing last weekend’s Test.

But the talk of the town from a Wallabies perspective is the inclusion of Rob Valetini at blindside flanker. The two-time John Eales Medallist played every Test under coach Schmidt in 2024, but is yet to take the field in the international arena this season.

While Schmidt revealed some “doubt” about whether ‘Bobby V’ will play the full 80 against the Lions, the coach insists the backrower is ready and raring to go for the Wallabies’ must-win Test in a bid to keep the series alive

“He trained really well this week, trained really well on Tuesday and we only trained Tuesday-Thursday really,” Schmidt said.

“We did a light movement and organisational session on Monday but nothing that would be strenuous at all.

“Really getting through Tuesday and Thursday was really important for Rob but Rob did elements of last week’s training as well so it was just making sure that he was ready for a full training week which he completed this week.”