‘We don’t want to be nice’: Wallabies bring back big guns for second Lions Test

Joe Schmidt has promised the Wallabies won’t be “submissive” in their must-win second Test against the British and Irish Lions and believes the returns of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini can spark a side preparing for the biggest game of their lives.

Hooker Dave Porecki, second-rower Skelton and back-rower Valetini will return to Wallabies’ starting XV, while coach Schmidt has kept faith in the backline that started the first Test for Saturday’s blockbuster at the MCG in front of more than 90,000 fans.

Australia suffered a deflating 27-19 loss in the opening Test in Brisbane after being blown off the park early by a superior Lions outfit which failed to put the hosts to the sword in the second half.

But Schmidt hinted that the Lions could find themselves on the receiving end of a gold ambush in Saturday’s must-win clash, with the code’s reputation – and health – on the line.

“We don’t want to be nice. We don’t want to be submissive,” Schmidt told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.

“We didn’t have the intention last week, and we don’t have the intention this week of being submissive. We’re hopeful that we will be able to take that to them this week and keep them on the back foot a little bit more.

“Winning the second half, it just helps a little bit, but we know we’ve got to stack more and more of those winning moments together to get a result this weekend. This weekend is pivotal. We just want to win. I’d certainly love that to happen.”

Valetini and Skelton missed the first Test due to injury but are far and away the most feared forwards in this Australian pack. Valetini, the winner of back-to-back John Eales Medals as Australia’s best player in the last two years, has a habit of barging his way over the advantage line, while Skelton is one of the most devastating players in world rugby on his day.

Although their inclusion leaves Australia light on lineout options, Schmidt says the two damaging ball-runners will ignite the players around them.

The Wallabies managed just 82 run metres in the first half at Suncorp Stadium, compared with the Lions’ 237. Without front-foot ball, Australia’s attack never truly fired. Parity, at a minimum, will be required to keep the series alive.

“[Valetini] trained really well today, and we’re happy to have him back,” Schmidt said. “He brings confidence to other players as well because of his experience and his ability to take the ball forward.

“Will has accumulated that experience, too. He knows what it’s like to play these players … and he’s won against them regularly, certainly in Europe.

“[Skelton] is a very calm influence. He’s a big man, and he’s big-hearted as well – hopefully not on Saturday. His experience and history of being involved in successful teams, particularly with La Rochelle and in Europe … just gives other players confidence.”

Schmidt has stuck with the backline from the first Test, with halfback Jake Gordon and No.10 Tom Lynagh given another game together. Despite calls for Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii to move to the wing, he will remain at outside-centre, next to No.12 Len Ikitau.

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt at training on Thursday in Melbourne ahead of the second Test. Credit: Getty Images

With three changes to the starting pack, Schmidt said too much tinkering risked disrupting cohesion.

“It’s our third game in nine months and so if you’re chopping and changing too much, then I think you can destabilise your own growth,” Schmidt said. “Three changes in the pack, that’s significant enough.”

Schmidt said Valetini may not play the full 80 minutes on Saturday, which influenced the decision to carry six forwards on the bench and omit utility back Andrew Kellaway.

If a centre goes down, winger Harry Potter will shift to the midfield, with Ben Donaldson covering the back three.

Wallabies players are trying not to get swept up in the enormity of the match. The streets of Melbourne are lined with Lions fans, with pubs and cafes flooded with fans hoping to watch the tourists clinch a resounding series win.

Fullback Tom Wright said a fearless display from the First Nations and Pasifika team on Tuesday night against the Lions offered a timely boost for the Test side.

“If there’s anything to learn from it, [it’s] go out guns blazing and it’s going to give you a chance,” Wright said.

“In 10 or 15 years’ time, will I look back on this game? Absolutely. I’m probably never going to play in front of 100,000 people again. But yeah, the enormity of the game is what it is. We’ve just got to focus on the actual game.

“External noise will be there and we will try our best to block it out. Hopefully, there’s more gold cheering than there is red.”

All nine 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.

Follow all the action of the British and Irish Lions tour with news and analysis from Australia’s best rugby writers. Sign up here to receive special Rolling Maul editions of our Sport newsletter.