‘He’s a psycho’: Wallabies back debutant after injuries cause chaos for Lions opener

The Wallabies have lost their most influential player for the opening Test of the British and Irish Lions series in Rob Valetini, but as far as teammates are concerned, the debutant replacing him is made of the right stuff to fill the considerable void.

“He’s a psycho,” flanker Fraser McReight said. “He loves contact.”

The debutant in question is tough Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny, who was a shock call-up to the Wallabies starting side after the Australian line-up was hit hard by injuries on the eve of the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

After 18 months of preparation, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was forced to take several 11th-hour gambles after key forwards Valetini (calf), Will Skelton (calf) and Langi Gleeson (cork) were all ruled out of the Suncorp Stadium clash, along with main five-eighth Noah Lolesio.

Tom Lynagh was confirmed in the No.10 jersey for his starting debut, and just his fourth Test. De Crespigny, 28, was also rushed into the starting side for a maiden Test appearance, and halfback Jake Gordon and hooker Matt Faessler were recalled after lengthy injury absences this season. There was no room for Taniela Tupou on the bench, with Tom Robertson preferred.

Schmidt said Valetini and Skelton were “right on the edge” of being available for selection, and may have played if it was a deciding Test. But a cautious approach was taken, and the pair would be ready to play next week.

“The risk you take if you put those guys out there and they’re not quite ready … you might end up worse off,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said he admired Lynagh’s calm demeanour, deceptively strong kicking game and the fact he is “brave, almost to a fault”.

Asked about why he has confidence in Lynagh being ready for such a massive stage, Schmidt said the 22-year-old reminded him of his father, former Wallabies captain Michael Lynagh.

Wallabies five-eighth Tom Lynagh will start against the Lions on Saturday in Brisbane.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

“I always felt that Michael had a real quiet control of games and a calmness about the way that he ran the game,” Schmidt said.

“And I do think there’s a bit of that in Tom. You wouldn’t think that he’s necessarily designed to run a game and dictate what’s happening, but he does have a quiet confidence that gives us a quiet confidence as well. And he’s fitted in really well this week. He has given us the confidence that he’s going to run the game really well for us.”

Schmidt said he and the squad had not been rattled by the spate of injuries, and that there was no need to review how two key forwards picked up calf strains in training, citing a good track record during the past year of keeping players fit and wet weather during their camp.

The bolter in the team is undoubtedly De Crespigny, given the much-travelled back-rower only returned this season to Australia after three years playing for Castres in France’s Top 14 competition.

Nick Champion de Crespigny is the bolter in the Wallabies team to play the Lions on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images

Losing Valetini is a huge blow, given he has been the Wallabies’ top ball carrier for the past four years.

Asked how the Wallabies had felt about losing Valetini, McReight said: “I think we just have full confidence in Nick and what he brings. He’s a psycho, he loves contact and he’s ready to go. Obviously disappointed to come back with Bobby, but again, super excited to play with Nick and obviously Carlo [Tizzano].”

“He loves that physical nature of the game, which is great. As a back row companion, when you see someone lining up the attack with his defence [it’s exciting]. I haven’t yet played with him, so I see this at training, heard all the stories from the Force boys, so super excited to see it in person.

Pressed to clarify whether De Crespigny is as much of a “psycho” off the pitch as well, McReight said: “Definitely on the pitch. Off the field, he’s a great man. Once he crosses that white line, he’s a different beast.”

Though he carries the reputation of a hard man, De Crespigny also holds an honours degree in economics and speaks to his renowned grandfather Rafe about the finer points of his research on ancient Chinese history.

Rob Valetini playing for the Wallabies against Wales in November.Credit: Getty Images

Whether the Wallabies can generate enough muscle in the ball-carrying department without Valetini remains to be seen, however. The Lions pack is massive.

Lions coach Andy Farrell dismissed the impact of the Wallabies losing some star players.

“You talk about Skelton and Valetini being out, or whoever is out, but these guys have probably been injured for a week or two ... they’ve been building for this for the last three or four weeks, so they’ll be ready to go, there’s no doubt about that,” Farrell said.

“We know the quality when it comes to their attacking threats, their athletic ability, the way they want to play the game from turnover ball and counter-attack, all that; their set-piece is good.

“But when it comes around every 12 years and you’re privileged to represent Australia … that’s the one they’ll be making sure that they use appropriately and rightly so.”

ll matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.

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