‘We take a lot of confidence from that’: Wallabies primed for Lions

While the Wallabies fell short of a win against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane, captain Harry Wilson believes they can take plenty of confidence out of their performance in the second half, as they outscored the tourists 14-10 at Suncorp Stadium.

After a last-gasp win over the Flying Fijians in Newcastle earlier this month, the Wallabies turned their focus towards the Lions Series opener in the River City. The Lions went into the match as strong favourites, and the visitors lived up to that label in the first Test.

Sione Tuipulotu and Tom Curry scored a try each as the Lions took control during the opening 40 minutes, before Dan Sheehan crossed early in the second term to extend their lead to a commanding 24-5 margin by the 42^nd minute.

Stonehouse on selection and season expectations

Stonehouse on selection and season expectations

But the Wallabies fought their way back late, with Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott crossing for five-pointers of their own. Time wasn’t on the Wallabies’ side, as they went down swinging, but they have a chance to bounce back this weekend – and they must, to keep the series alive.

“We do feel we’re improving each week this year,” Wilson told reporters at the MCG.

“Obviously we came together and really had to try and fast-track a lot of our relationships in the team to be able to go out there on the field and play.

“Fiji, we got away with that one and then we didn’t start too well in that first [Lions] Test. But in the second half, once we got a bit of possession, bit of territory and started playing our footy, we take a lot of confidence from that.”

Coach Joe Schmidt has named an unchanged backline, but has welcomed some big guns back into the starting forward pack. Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are set for their first Tests of the year, while David Porecki returns after missing the Lions Series opener.

Former NSW Waratahs enforcer Langi Gleeson has also been picked on the bench, with coach Schmidt going with a 6-2 split. Schmidt revealed on Thursday that he does “doubt” that Valetini will play the full 80 after overcoming an injury.

These headline-grabbing inclusions come as a significant boost to the Wallabies, who have also taken plenty of learnings out of last Saturday’s eight-point defeat. While the Lions will go into this Test as favourites once again, the hosts are backing themselves.

“A lot of the review was one us. It feels as if we probably didn’t play our sort of footy we wanted to play, we didn’t fire as many shots as we would’ve liked,” Wilson reflected.

“We just saw a few areas which we can improve on and hopefully we go out there and do that tomorrow night.”