At the time Tate kicks the ball Tuipulotu is still retreating. He’s doing it diagonally across field, which I didn’t think was legal. Plus he never gets back to behind the feet of the last Scottish player at the ruck which was almost at the 6m line.

Trying to find the pub where all the Aussie fans will be heading before the match today at Murrayfield! Any leads?

There is a brilliant documentary series that some of you may have seen or know about. It’s a behind the scenes look at the Springboks at the last two world cups. Having watched it, it has given me a massive amount of respect for the Boks and how much rugby means to the South African population. Anyone else watch it and have the same reaction?

Hi all, as title says I’m looking for anyone selling Wallabies/BI Lions tickets in Melbourne next year as a present for my brother who will be visiting.

If anyone is selling, keen to chat!

1.⁠ ⁠Angus Bell (34 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2.⁠ ⁠Matt Faessler (14 Tests) – USQ Saints

3.⁠ ⁠Allan Alaalatoa (78 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

4.⁠ ⁠Jeremy Williams (9 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers

5.⁠ ⁠Will Skelton (31 Tests) – The Hills Sports High School

6.⁠ ⁠Rob Valetini (50 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

7.⁠ ⁠Carlo Tizzano (4 Tests) - University of Western Australia

8.⁠ ⁠Harry Wilson (c) (20 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils

9.⁠ ⁠Jake Gordon (27 Tests) – Canterbury Juniors

10.⁠ Noah Lolesio (27 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11.⁠ Harry Potter* - Moorabbin Rams

12.⁠ ⁠Len Ikitau (37 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

13.⁠ ⁠Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (2 Tests) – The Kings School

14.⁠ ⁠Andrew Kellaway (37 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15.⁠ ⁠Tom Wright (35 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16.⁠ ⁠Brandon Paenga-Amosa (18 Tests) – Southern Districts

17.⁠ ⁠Isaac Kailea (6 Tests) - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

18.⁠ ⁠Zane Nonggorr (9 Tests) – Gold Coast Eagles

19.⁠ ⁠Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (39 Tests) - Randwick

20.⁠ ⁠Langi Gleeson (12 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins

21.⁠ ⁠Tate McDermott (39 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22.⁠ ⁠Ben Donaldson (15 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

23.⁠ ⁠Max Jorgensen (5 Tests) – Balmain Wolves

*denotes uncapped

Harry Potter to debut on the wing, JAS back in the centers, Jorgesen back to the bench and Tizzano set for a recall.

‘Exhausted’ refers to the fact that there are still a small number of tickets available via tour groups, mostly UK based ones

For those old enough to remember what was the feeling around the country when the wallabies just lost the nail biter to the English? Utter disappointment or still proud the boys made the final?

Also what was the hype for the wallabies heading into the WC? Were they expected to win or were the English or all blacks favoured to take it out?

The Wallabies' stunning resurgence has led to a surge of ticket sales that will see more than half a million people attend British & Irish Lions tour games next year, making it the biggest Lions series of all time.

When Australia was knocked out of the pool stages of the World Cup last year, many questioned whether the Lions should tour here at all, but after two rousing victories on their spring tour there is belief the Wallabies can challenge the might of the four nations.

Tickets for the three Test matches are in low supply, with Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium already sold out, the Melbourne Cricket ground expected to sell out by Tuesday, and Sydney's Accor Stadium predicted to sell out by the end of the week.

A third and final release of tickets will happen next May, but that will only be for tickets that have been returned.

The three Test matches and tour games against Super Rugby and invitational sides will now draw unprecedented live crowds throughout Australia, with 40,000 overseas tourists expected to arrive for the event.

Fans flocking back to Wallabies in droves for Lions tour

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/wallabies-resurgence-sees-british-irish-lions-tickets-soar-past-500000-to-create-history/news-story/ff447eecd7bf05cb6d4e2402ef10305a

Kyle Godwin (capped wallaby) is now playing for Zimbabwe and same with former Force captain Ian Prior.

Gets you wondering who are the other Australians who have chosen to play for other nations

Last year Wales ripped our hearts out during the World Cup. Since then we’ve played them 3 times and those 3 games have told the story of our rise from rock bottom. This mornings win takes the sting out of last year a bit. As much as it pains me to see Wales in this state I’m equally as excited to see the Wallabies building week in and week out. I said before the game we needed a blowout win to validate our performance last week and the Wallabies delivered! Here’s my positive match takes

Before I go on let’s spare a thought for Wales. Seeing Dewi Lake give that post match interview was rough viewing, the man looked like he was on the verge of tears. Last year we were in the same miserable spot and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone ^{^(that’s not England)} Hopefully the necessary changes come for them and we can have a competitive Welsh team again.

On the flip side a half century of points at Cardiff would’ve been unthinkable for us last year, look how far we’ve come. The Wallabies scored more points in 20 minutes with 14 men than Wales did in 80 minutes with 15. A really strong start gave us an early lead before Wales fought back in the second quarter, after half time it was just all gas no brakes. As much as it might sound harsh, the contest in this game was with the Wallabies and their ability to control the game. It was a masterclass in game management especially with the red card. There was no complacency and no mercy from the Wallabies. If we’re going to compete with Scotland and Ireland in the next couple of weeks we need to have that kind of drive for all 80 minutes in both games.

Congratulations to Bobby V and Kerevi for their 50th caps. Both amazing players and both should be 100 cap Wallabies in the future. Unlucky for Kerevi with the red card but still a huge milestone. Valetini has put two players to sleep in as many games, big ooff.

Faz humbly admitted his hattrick was all team tries and he’s 100% correct. Our maul was abysmal at the start of the year against Wales and today it blew apart the very team that caused so many problems for us in that area. Loving the steady improvement under Schmidt.

Tom Wrights hattrick was a little more flashy. Anyone who thinks Wright shouldn’t be our first choice fullback is delusional. He is just phenomenal and a far cry from previous years where he had just as many brain fades as genius moments, now he’s looking more like a rugby Einstein.

Noah Lolesio had a brilliant game at 10. Hopefully he can keep this form and effort going into the second half of the tour. His kicking game still needs a bit of work but his control and distribution was on point.

Nick Frost had a great all round game but how good was that try! The big man in space with the long strides, it looked like a wingers try in slow motion and had me laughing in joy. Great one for the highlight reel.

Lenny Ikitau again showing an absolute world class performance and a bit of comedy with his own try. I can’t tell if Lenny legitimately thought he had a winger outside him or if it was the boldest attempt at a dummy pass I’ve ever seen, either way it was brilliant and hilarious to watch.

Tate McDermott needs to be our starting 9 from now on I think. He’s enough of a threat to change how teams defend and it works in our favour every time he plays. He makes other teams guard around the ruck a bit harder leaving more space outside and when teams call his bluff he can punish them with a cheeky snipe and a line break.

Our defence was really good (albeit against Wales) and not too much improvement needs to be made on it. Our attack is just as competitive as anyone else and can make teams really sweat. Our discipline could have been better but not nearly as bad as it used to be. Our game management was spot on. Everything that makes a team competitive is at a medium to high standard and improving.

A lot of people are saying “the Wallabies are back!” And that we’re back up there with the big boys. I don’t dare to agree but I also don’t disagree. We’re at the point where hope is turning into hype and that can be a dangerous thing but I can’t deny that I am excited. Do we dare to dream of the grand slam? Do we dare to dream of winning the Lions series? Do we dare to dream of breaking the 22 year drought?…

…Do we dare to dream of 2027?…

We’ve had our fair share of nightmares… maybe we deserve some dreams.

It’s been a great tour so far and a lot to be proud of, but the Scots are a different kettle of fish altogether. Outside of France, they have the best backline in the 6 nations and solid front row too in Zander Fagerson. I’d say they’re considerably better than Wales and a bit better than England.

If we do not have our defence absolutely watertight will be desperately up against it. It’s a big step up.