The invitational side’s drubbing in Adelaide was predictable, although the 48-0 scoreline was worse than expected because of a spiky British and Irish Lions performance that will give their coach Andy Farrell some selection headaches. There’s no doubt the respective coaches and players in the AusNZ side got plenty out of the clash – who would say no to some bonding sessions and a game against the Lions at the end of it? – but for the people who really matter, the paying punters, the value of the concept is far less certain. There are definitely more worthy opponents for the Lions – Fiji beat Scotland in Suva at the weekend – and the smart money says the AusNZ team will not be part of the tour itinerary in New Zealand in four years’ time. When the time is right after the current tour, it would not be a surprise to see the Lions blow up about the quality of opposition before the three Tests against the Wallabies.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s impressive audition
By selecting Josh Canham over Darcy Swain in the Wallabies squad, Joe Schmidt has signalled a preference for some more ball-carrying presence among his locks. That should mean the door isn’t entirely closed on Lukhan Salakaia-Loto if injuries strike during the next three weeks. Salakaia-Loto certainly put himself about in Adelaide, and if there was one criticism of the Lions it was that they did look a little vulnerable to the heavy carries by Salakaia-Loto and Hoskins Sotutu in the first half. A lack of rugby might have counted against Salakaia-Loto’s Wallabies hopes, but he has always been one of the few Wallabies who can genuinely put a dent in Test defensive lines.
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