The Lions might have read Rugby Australia the riot act, but the governing body isn’t sweating and believes they are acting in accordance with the contract set out for their tour.
After the famed touring party arrived on Australian shores in recent days, Lions chief executive Ben Calveley got on the front-foot by delivering a stern message to his rivals on Monday.
Calveley accused Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt of breaking the contract set out with the Lions by not releasing enough players of national interest to take on the men in red.
“We want to make sure our guys are battle hardened when it comes to that Test series against the Wallabies,” Calveley told reporters in Perth on Monday.
Lions coach Andy Farrell arrives in Australia ahead of their 2025 Tour. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Calveley’s comments came after Schmidt allowed only five of nine Western Force players named in his Wallabies squad – Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nic White and Dylan Pietsch – to stay in Perth ahead of Saturday’s evening opening fixture on Australian shores.
It means Force captain Jeremy Williams, flanker Carlo Tizzano, flyhalf Ben Donaldson and winger Harry Potter won’t take on the Lions.
Instead, the quartet is in Sydney ahead of Sunday week’s clash against Fiji in Newcastle.
Whether any of the other 27 non-Force players of the Wallabies are permitted to play against the Lions for the Reds (July 2), Waratahs (July 5) or Brumbies (July 9) remains to be seen, but given that Schmidt will need to pick 23 to take on the Flying Fijians, it’s unlikely many will take to the field in the provincial tour matches.
Despite the obvious clash, the travelling media brigade had a field day after Calveley’s comments.
“Legally binding or not, Schmidt will be breaching the spirit of the tour if he does not release players to their clubs,” the Daily Mail’s Nik Simon wrote in an article headlined: “Australia boss Joe Schmidt MUST release stars for warm-up matches or Lions tour will be a farce”.
“The provincial sides are desperate to make the most of their games against the Lions, who come here once every 12 years, but there is a danger they could descend into drubbings.
“The provinces are being sent into battle against some of the world’s best players with one arm tied behind their back.”
He added: “Schmidt’s protectionist measures scream of a lack of depth in Australian rugby.”
Joe Schmidt released five of the Force’s nine players selected for the Wallabies to take on the Lions. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Rather than hit back at their opposition, Rugby Australia opted not to return fire and keep their powder dry.
But sources close to the governing body told The Roar that they are not concerned by Calveley’s remarks and believe they are keeping their end of the bargain.
There is a deep sense of irony around Calveley’s comments though.
After all, the Lions didn’t want to face an Australian A side ahead of the Test series because it might serve as an unofficial fourth Test.
As such, the Lions agreed to face an AUNZ Invitational match in Adelaide instead.
Whether the four Australian provincial sides put up a strong fight remains to be seen, but Schmidt chose a relatively even representation of players across the Super Rugby sides.
Indeed, there were ten Brumbies, nine Force and eight from the Reds and Waratahs in Schmidt’s 36-man squad.
Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is expected to take on the Lions in Brisbane for the Reds after being looked over by Joe Schmidt for the Test against the Flying Fijians. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Les Kiss, in particular, will have a strong outfit to choose from after Wallabies Josh Nasser, Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto were looked past for the clash against Fiji.
Others like Richie Asiata, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Josh Flook and Lachie Anderson also enjoyed strong seasons. As did Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, the veteran international prop, who is ineligible for the Wallabies.
As it stands, only the Waratahs might struggle to have a strong side line-up against the Lions, with several players, including halfback Teddy Wilson, under an injury cloud.
