"Andy Farrell and Joe Schmidt remain untroubled by the hindsight of the series, as they implicitly acknowledge their ongoing unawareness"
Australia vs British and Irish Lions: Skelton's Return Sparks Turnaround
The third Test in the Australia vs British and Irish Lions rugby series saw a close-fought battle, with Australia emerging victorious with a score of 22-12. The series, decided with a game to spare, has rekindled interest in rugby union in Australia.
Will Skelton's absence in the first Test in Brisbane was a significant blow to Australia, as his powerful presence was missed on the field. Skelton, a formidable ball carrier and enforcer, returned for the second Test and made a substantial impact, helping Australia shift the physical dominance and intensity of the match.
During the series, when Skelton was on the field, Australia held a +14 point advantage and outscored the Lions 38-24, suggesting he was arguably the most influential player of the series. His physical presence and ability to break the gainline were key to Australia’s more competitive performance in the following Tests.
The Lions, who were 24-5 in front in the second half of the second Test, seemed to have the series in their grasp. However, Skelton's return seemed to have galvanized the Australian team, who fought back to make the series more competitive than most people expected.
Meanwhile, the Lions players remained relaxed during the lightning delay, despite the potential for a 45-minute halt. Their coach, Farrell, dismissed the idea that the relaxed approach left his players complacent and unprepared. The Lions' strategy during the weather delay included keeping four balls in the changing room for players to throw around.
Schmidt, the Australian coach, ensured that his players stayed connected during the delay by having them rotate on and off the bikes. The Wallabies, on the other hand, looked underprepared for the opening game of the series, with only one international game against Fiji and their frontline players held back from warm-up games.
The crowds have given the players a lift and made them feel accountable for maintaining the support. The Wallabies boss is hopeful that the team has reconnected with the Australian public, with over 220,000 people attending the three Tests.
The series has shown that even when faced with adversity, such as Skelton's injury, a team can still fight back and make a comeback. The crowds in Australia have been treated to a competitive and exciting series, and the future of rugby union in the country looks bright.
One potential outcome for the next European-leagues season could see the Premier-league teams capitalize on their learning from the intense competition in the Australia vs British and Irish Lions series, incorporating a more physical and dominant approach in their sports strategy.
In light of the marked impact of Will Skelton on the field during the series, some commentators have suggested that the presence of a similarly formidable footballer in the premier-league could significantly alter the balance of power in the European-leagues.
