Wallabies dream team: Eales, Folau, Farr-Jones, and the greatest to face the Lions
As the current crop of Wallabies prepare to host the British and Irish Lions, our rugby experts pick their greatest XVs from more than three decades of Lions series.
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As the current crop of Wallabies prepare to host the British and Irish Lions, CODE Sports rugby experts Julian Linden and Jamie Pandaram have picked their greatest XVs from more than three decades of Lions series.
JAMIE PANDARAM
Fullback – Matt Burke (2001)
Showed magical form to bring the Wallabies back from a match down to claim the series, his goal-kicking was vital.
Wing – Joe Roff (2001)
Always knew where to be, a nightmare in defence with his intercept capabilities, and a major reason for Australia’s dominance through their golden age.
Outside centre – Daniel Herbert (2001)
A mainstay of the Wallabies backline through their best era, Herbert went one-on-one with the great Brian O’Driscoll and came out on top.
Inside centre – Lloyd Walker (1989)
A wonderfully gifted talent who should have played far more than eight Tests, Walker was on the spot to score the opening try of the 89 Lions series from a Michael Lynagh chip kick, and his ability to draw the defence before passing created several outside breaks.
Wing – Israel Folau (2013)
Lived up to all the hype after his high-profile switch from AFL, scoring two brilliant tries on debut and threatening the Lions throughout the series.
Five-eighth – Stephen Larkham (2001)
Went head-to-head with the great Jonny Wilkinson and won. Larkham pips Michael Lynagh because he faced a much stronger backline, with Wilkinson surrounded by superstars in Jason Robinson, Brian O’Driscoll and Rob Howley. Larkham’s composure and kicking game brought the Wallabies from 1-0 down to help win the series.
Halfback – George Gregan (2001)
The unflinching scrumhalf drove the belief within the Wallabies they were indestructible, and with his up-tempo play consistently applying pressure, the Lions were reeled in.
No. 8 – Toutai Kefu (2001)
There have been few backrowers as damaging with ball in hand as Kefu, and Lions rival Scott Quinnell couldn’t match it with him over the series.
Openside flanker – George Smith (2001, 2013)
There is a reason Robbie Deans made the shock call to bring Smith back into his starting team from overseas for the deciding 2013 game. Because he is one of the best to ever play. Unfortunately, Smith was concussed early in the game and the Lions ran away with it, but his feats 12 years earlier ensured Australia’s success.
Blindside flanker – Owen Finegan (2001)
Like an immovable object, Finegan powered Australia’s pack forward and was a beast with cleanouts, ensuring renowned Lions poachers Richard Hill and Neil Back couldn’t get a hold of their ball.
Lock – John Eales (2001)
Won everything, and his calm leadership paved the way for Australia’s victory. Dominant in the lineout and around the park, Eales bested rival lock and skipper Martin Johnson in another career highlight.
Lock – James Horwill (2013)
The drama Horwill endured through that series was unprecedented – cited twice, and cleared twice, by World Rugby over allegations he stomped on the head of Alun Wyn Jones. Horwill handled the two arduous judicial hearings with grace, all while leading his team through a heartbreaking loss, and stunning game two win, before the disastrous finale.
Tighthead prop – Dan Crowley (1989)
Few could have predicted how important Crowley would become to Australian rugby when he made his debut in this series, but his scrummaging and tight five work helped the Wallabies to claim two World Cups.
Hooker – Tom Lawton (1989)
His final three Tests of a 41-Test career was this series, and Lawton stood up for the Wallabies with his reliability and toughness.
Loosehead prop – Benn Robinson (2013)
Injuries robbed him of playing in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, but Robinson got his shot at a major series when the Lions arrived, and started all three Tests. While Australia’s scrum was dominated in the final game, Robinson did a solid job throughout the series.
JULIAN LINDEN
Fullback - Matt Burke (2001)
Began the 2001 series on the bench but started in the last two Tests and had a huge impact. Kicked six penalties and a conversion in the second match, then five penalties and two conversions in the decider to steer the Wallabies to a famous series victory.
Wing - Israel Folau (2013)
Announced his arrival on the world stage in the grandest fashion imaginable, crossing for two spectacular tries on his Test debut in the series opener in Brisbane.
Outside centre - Daniel Herbert (2001)
Playing in a team packed with stars, Herbert’s achievements sometimes got overlooked but in the deciding match of the only series the Wallabies beat the Lions in, he scored both of Australia’s tries.
Inside centre - Lloyd Walker (1989)
One of the first Indigenous Australians to represent the Wallabies, Walker was a creative genius who made just eight Test appearances but left a huge legacy. Scored the opening try in Australia’s first win over the Lions in 59 years and started all three Tests in 1989.
Wing - Joe Roff (2001)
Scored Australia’s two tries in the second Test, including an intercept off Jonny Wilkinson, that turned the 2001 series the Wallabies’ way.
Five-eighth - Michael Lynagh (1989)
Australia’s highest point scorer in test rugby, ‘Noddy’ was the calming influence the Wallabies needed in the wild 1989 series, kicking goals from all over the ground to keep it in the balance.
Halfback - Nick Farr-Jones (1989)
Captained the Wallabies to win the World Cup two years later but was just as impressive leading his country against the Lions. Not a natural pugilist, he found himself in the middle of the first brawl in the ‘Battle of Ballymore’ but didn’t flinch or ever take a backward step.
No. 8 - Toutai Kefu (2001)
Was unrivalled as the best No. 8 in the world at the time. He had a knack of producing his best in the biggest moments and had a massive series against the Lions.
Openside flanker - George Smith (2001, 2013)
Australia has produced some exceptional openside breakaways over the years but the dreadlocked Smith was the standout and at his peak against the Lions in 2001 at the start of his career. More than a decade later he finished his career playing in a second Lions tour.
Blindside flanker - Owen Finegan (2001)
A big backrower who could pack down at lock or play on the side of the scrum, Finegan scored a try in the 1999 World Cup final but was an even better player in 2001, named Australian player of the year.
Lock - Steve Cutler (1989)
A towering lock who was nicknamed Skylab because of the way he dominated the lineouts, Cutler was an imposing presence in the 1989 series.
Lock - John Eales (2001)
There’s nothing more that needs to be said about Eales other than restating he was and still is the GOAT.
Tighthead prop - Dan Crowley (1989)
One of just five Wallabies to have played in two World Cup winning squads. An undercover cop, he was thrown into the deep end when he made his Test debut in the 1989 Lions but played the entire series and was still going strong a decade later.
Hooker - Tom Lawton (1989)
Involved in one of the most iconic moments in Australian rugby history when the Wallabies scored a pushover try against Wales on the 1984 grand slam tour. His last season for the Wallabies was 1989, where he featured in all three tests against the Lions.
Loosehead prop - Tony Miller (1959, 1966)
Regarded as the hardest man ever to play for the Wallabies, ‘Slaggy’ was one of the great characters of Australian rugby. He started his Test career as a No. 8 in 1952, played lock against the Lions in 1959 then shifted to the front row against the Lions in 1966, scoring a try.
Originally published as Wallabies dream team: Eales, Folau, Farr-Jones, and the greatest to face the Lions