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Ryan Lonergan to lead Australia A after being dropped by Eddie Jones
Halfback Ryan Lonergan will lead an impressive Australia A side into battle when they take on Rugby World Cup-bound Portugal in France on Saturday.
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Lonergan was picked in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship squad, but was not called upon to make his international debut by coach Eddie Jones. Instead, Tate McDermott and Nic White started two Tests each.
There was no room for Lonergan in the Wallabies’ 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup, with Western Force No. 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa getting the nod by coach Jones.
This match is shaping up as a critical challenge for both teams. For the Australian players, their Rugby World Cup dreams may rest on this clash.
For the 23 players selected to represent Australia, it’s their final opportunity to impress Wallabies selectors. The World Cup squad has been named, of course, but injuries could open the door for a call-up.
As for Os Lobos, who will take on the Wallabies in pool play during the upcoming tournament in France, it’s their final hit-out before their World Cup opener against Wales on September 16.
Head Coach Jason Gilmore has named a star-studded outfit to take on Os Lobos at Stade Jules-Ladoumegue this weekend, with the backline boasting an impressive 178 Wallabies caps.
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Captain Ryan Lonergan will partner 76-Test veteran Berard Foley in the halves, and experienced playmaker James O’Connor sits just outside them at inside centre.
O’Connor will pair up with Queensland Reds teammate Filipo Daugunu in the halves. Daugunu was under an injury cloud when the squad was initially named, but has clearly overcome those woes.
Wingers Dylan Pietsch and Lachlan Anderson join dropped Wallaby Tom Wright in the outside backs.
As for the forwards, captain Ryan’s brother, Lachlan Lonergan, will pack down in a talented front row alongside Tom Lambert and one-Test Wallaby Sam Talakai.
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Josh Canham and Cadeyrn Neville have been picked ahead of Darcy Swain in the second row, and Lachlan Swinton, Pete Samu and Seru Uru make up a formidable loose forwards trio.
The match will not be televised, but fans can follow along via updates on the Wallabies’ social media pages.
Australia A versus Portugal gets underway at 8.00 pm on Saturday local time in Massy, or 4.00 am on Sunday morning on the east coast of Australia.
Australia A to take on Portugal
- Tom Lambert
- Lachlan Lonergan
- Sam Talakai
- Josh Canham
- Cadeyrn Neville
- Lachlan Swinton
- Pete Samu
- Seru Uru
- Ryan Lonergan (c)
- Bernard Foley
- Dylan Pietsch
- James O’Connor
- Filipo Daugunu
- Lachlan Anderson
- Tom Wright
Replacements:
- Folau Fainga’a
- Matt Gibbon
- Rhys Van Nek
- Darcy Swain
- Ned Hanigan
- James Tuttle
- Hunter Paisami
- Josh Flook
Comments on RugbyPass
Who listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
40 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
40 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
39 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
1 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
40 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to comments