Horror movie: Why Wallabies are focused on Fiji and not British and Irish Lions

Video footage of a shock loss at the last World Cup has reminded the Wallabies to ignore the hype and excitement surrounding their blockbuster series against the British and Irish Lions and focus on beating Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday.

In a further indication of how seriously Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is treating the Test against Fiji, veteran Taniela Tupou has been sent back to the NSW Waratahs for their tour match against the Lions on Saturday, sparking speculation the 51-Test prop may have worn the gold jersey for the last time.

Australian rugby union endured one of its darkest days at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne almost two years ago when the Wallabies were humbled 22-15 by Fiji – their first loss to the Pacific islanders in 69 years.

It was such a dreadful performance that players such as flanker Fraser McReight have tried to erase it from their memory, only for Schmidt to revisit a game that, with the benefit of hindsight, was the beginning of the end for his controversial predecessor, Eddie Jones.

“It’s a tricky one,” McReight said. “We watched some clips, obviously, in the Fiji week being this week, and that game came up, and a lot of the clips were the first time I had rewatched parts of that game.”

McReight insisted there had been no talk this week of squaring the ledger, just about approaching the Fijians with the respect they have earned.

A shock loss to Fiji was only the beginning of the Wallabies’ World Cup nightmare.Credit: Getty Images

“Personally, I’m not worried too much about the revenge, because two years ago is a long time,” he said. “It’s a completely different squad, and we’re just really excited for the challenge that lays ahead.”

Australia haven’t played Fiji since their famous World Cup showdown and McReight has no desire to relive that humbling experience.

“Yeah, that was a tough game, obviously, and they were up for it, and they played a cracker,” he said. “And obviously, it was the first time they beat us in 60 or 70 years.

“So yeah, this isn’t a warm-up game for sure. This is a game that we need to get ready for. It’s a Test match against Fiji, who are a bloody good side.”

McReight had no doubt that Tupou could still come into calculations for the Lions series, despite not being required for the Fiji clash, which Schmidt is treating as a dress rehearsal for the three-Test Lions campaign that will follow.

Fiji’s Temo Mayanavanua celebrates victory over the Wallabies in 2023.Credit: AP

The $1.1 million tight-head prop, who is tipped to join French club Racing 92 next season, could yet stake a belated claim if he stars for the Waratahs against the Lions at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

“He’s a great player,” McReight said. “He’s just coming together and he’s honing what he needs to do, but I have no doubt that he will come back and he’ll be firing and ready to go.

“But obviously his first job is to put that light blue jersey on and go against the Lions for the Tahs.”

He said Tupou was “one of the best tight-heads in the world” and would not be easily replaced.

“Hopefully he goes over there [to France] and gains some new experiences, new perspective,” he said.

Taniela Tupou looks to be well down the pecking order now for the Wallabies.Credit: Getty Images

“Whether or not he comes back – I don’t know what’s going to happen there – but it leaves a door open for some new talent to come through, and hopefully ‘Nella’ [Tupou] can come back as a better person, better player.”

Meanwhile, Western Force forward Nick Champion de Crespigny is hoping to make his Test debut after flying in from Perth, after his team was outgunned 54-7 by the Lions on the weekend.

“The Wallabies, it’s the pinnacle,” Champion de Crespigny said. “You grow up watching them, so, yeah, it means everything to me.”

The back-rower welcomed the inclusion of new franchise Perth Bears into the NRL competition, saying they could co-exist with the Force and two AFL teams based in the city.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “More guys passing the ball, not hand-balling it, it’s always good.

“So, yeah, I just think it’ll bring more eyes onto the game and we can definitely co-exist and hopefully have a few training sessions together.”

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.

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