Major changes loom for third Test as Wallabies deal with crushing Lions defeat in Melbourne

Having blown an unassailable lead and the series against the Lions, the Wallabies now face a brutal reality check about their failing tactical approach, writes Julian Linden.

Having blown a gift-wrapped chance to level their series against the British & Irish Lions, it is now time for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and his selectors to admit their failings and try a different approach for Saturday’s Third and final Test.

While the match at Sydney’s Accor Stadium has been reduced to a dead rubber with the Lions now holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, it is still an opportunity that the Wallabies can’t afford to waste as they turn their attention to the Rugby Championship.

When they finally stop whining about the referring decisions that went against them, the Wallabies will eventually accept they were the architects of their own demise because they failed to protect an 18-point lead in last weekend’s second Test defeat in Melbourne.

Joe Schmidt has some key selection questions to answered ahead of the third and final Lions Test. Picture: Getty

Inevitably, the team’s second half collapse will raise questions about Schmidt’s tactics and selections after he refused to heed calls to tinker with his misfiring backline or pick two of the most bruising forwards in Australian rugby.

But the injury to wing Harry Potter has forced his hand and opened the door for the Wallabies to experiment with different combinations.

They should start with the midfield partnership of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Len Ikitau, which just isn’t working the way everyone hoped it would.

They have worked well together in attack but missed far too many tackles in defence. It cost them dearly against the Lions and if they repeat those lapses against the All Blacks and the world champion Springboks in the Rugby Championship, they’ll be cut to ribbons.

Suaalii needs to be moved from outside centre to replace Potter on the right wing, to make better use of his flair and aerial skills.

Harry Potter will miss the third Test after leaving the field with an injury. Picture: Getty

Schmidt should also give serious thought to handing Suaalii the kicking duties. He was a reliable goalkicker when he played for the Roosters and the more involved in the game he is the better he plays.

Shifting Suallii to the wing will enable Ikitau to move back to his natural habitat at outside centre, with Hunter Paisami coming into the side at inside. Playing two midfielders out of position was always a risky position that now has to be rectified.

Queensland captain Tate McDermott also needs to be given his chance as the starting halfback. Jake Gordon had a strong game on the weekend but McDermott has been the form number nine all season yet.

Tate McDermott produced a starring performance on the wing – but needs to be returned to his customary position of halfback. Picture: Getty

The clearest sign of how the selectors gambled and lost on the weekend was when McDermott came on as a replacement winger because Schmidt only picked two backs on his bench.

That decision looked even more baffling when he didn’t bring on Ben Donaldson to replace Tom Lynagh in the final quarter.

As an investment for the future, Lynagh is worth persevering with but it was a ludicrous error of judgment not to use the more experienced Donaldson or better still James O’Connor to close out the game.

Boosted by the availability of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, the forward pack that started the second Test against the Lions was the right one but the makeup of the bench lacked the firepower to finish the job.

The tragedy with that is the Wallabies had the players all along but they just didn’t pick them.

Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and prop Taniela Tupou showed the Wallabies were missing out on when they both had blinders for the Indigenous and Pasifika Invitational side that rattled the Lions in the lead up to the second Test.

But neither man got the call up.

It takes courage for coaches to swallow their pride and concede that they got some things wrong but it’s never too late to start again so this is their chance.

Originally published as Major changes loom for third Test as Wallabies deal with crushing Lions defeat in Melbourne