'Fun and dangerous' Lions ready to lift off in Dublin
Tommy Freeman is adamant the British and Irish Lions' heavyweight three-quarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin.
Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu.
All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under.
Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side ranked fifth in the world.
"Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun - and dangerous," Freeman said.
"We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can.
"There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space."
The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell.
Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of English half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and their compatriot full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina.
Yet even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination.
"We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside," Wigglesworth said.
"They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back."
Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open.
Finlay Bealham, Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen are the three Australian-born players ready to make an impression at Lansdowne Road.
The challenge facing Freeman and his teammates is to capture the eye of the Lions' head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause.
"Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture," Freeman said.
"You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team.
"This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself."
Tommy Freeman is adamant the British and Irish Lions' heavyweight three-quarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin.
Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu.
All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under.
Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side ranked fifth in the world.
"Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun - and dangerous," Freeman said.
"We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can.
"There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space."
The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell.
Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of English half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and their compatriot full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina.
Yet even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination.
"We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside," Wigglesworth said.
"They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back."
Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open.
Finlay Bealham, Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen are the three Australian-born players ready to make an impression at Lansdowne Road.
The challenge facing Freeman and his teammates is to capture the eye of the Lions' head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause.
"Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture," Freeman said.
"You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team.
"This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself."
Tommy Freeman is adamant the British and Irish Lions' heavyweight three-quarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin.
Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu.
All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under.
Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side ranked fifth in the world.
"Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun - and dangerous," Freeman said.
"We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can.
"There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space."
The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell.
Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of English half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and their compatriot full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina.
Yet even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination.
"We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside," Wigglesworth said.
"They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back."
Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open.
Finlay Bealham, Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen are the three Australian-born players ready to make an impression at Lansdowne Road.
The challenge facing Freeman and his teammates is to capture the eye of the Lions' head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause.
"Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture," Freeman said.
"You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team.
"This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Should the Cats worry as the Lions flex their midfield muscle?
He didn't need to mention Levi Ashcroft had started on the bench and Jaspa Fletcher on a flank. If the Cats have the Bash Brothers in Holmes and Smith then the Lions can raise them with the Ashcroft Brothers, Will and Levi. Throw in Zac Bailey galloping through the middle and Darcy Wilmot and the veteran Dayne Zorko and the depth extends to all areas of the ground. Fagan was most impressed with Rayner, the No.1 pick who is delivering. After years of nearly being there is now a great player, his strength and confidence growing. He had five clearances and kicked three goals, two of them coming at the start of the third and fourth quarter to extinguish any hope the crowd might find voice. 'We have come to understand him and his strengths. It has taken us a little bit of time and how it all fits in with our system but in the last couple of years we have discovered that,' Fagan said. He led the way along with Will Ashcroft and Dunkley as Neale, a dual Brownlow medallist, was kept quiet by a gallant Tom Atkins who tried to lift his team. The question now is what Scott can plot to overcome the weight of numbers that is turning the tide the Lions way. The Cats remain in good shape and they are a strong chance to meet the Lions again in September. Geelong can point to poor kicking and an off-night and be right. But the biggest cat in the AFL jungle flexed their muscle on Friday night to take the Lions back into the top two. Fagan even admitted they have been at their best when facing the biggest of challenges this season. This was the last hoodoo of his reign. Beating Geelong at Geelong was something they had not managed since 2003. Loading The signs are good with more than half the season over. 'When we got to the bye last year we were 13th. When we get to the bye this year we're second,' Fagan said. 'I'm pretty pleased with where we are at, but it's a hard competition so you have to keep going, don't you.'
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
Should the Cats worry as the Lions flex their midfield muscle?
He didn't need to mention Levi Ashcroft had started on the bench and Jaspa Fletcher on a flank. If the Cats have the Bash Brothers in Holmes and Smith then the Lions can raise them with the Ashcroft Brothers, Will and Levi. Throw in Zac Bailey galloping through the middle and Darcy Wilmot and the veteran Dayne Zorko and the depth extends to all areas of the ground. Fagan was most impressed with Rayner, the No.1 pick who is delivering. After years of nearly being there is now a great player, his strength and confidence growing. He had five clearances and kicked three goals, two of them coming at the start of the third and fourth quarter to extinguish any hope the crowd might find voice. 'We have come to understand him and his strengths. It has taken us a little bit of time and how it all fits in with our system but in the last couple of years we have discovered that,' Fagan said. He led the way along with Will Ashcroft and Dunkley as Neale, a dual Brownlow medallist, was kept quiet by a gallant Tom Atkins who tried to lift his team. The question now is what Scott can plot to overcome the weight of numbers that is turning the tide the Lions way. The Cats remain in good shape and they are a strong chance to meet the Lions again in September. Geelong can point to poor kicking and an off-night and be right. But the biggest cat in the AFL jungle flexed their muscle on Friday night to take the Lions back into the top two. Fagan even admitted they have been at their best when facing the biggest of challenges this season. This was the last hoodoo of his reign. Beating Geelong at Geelong was something they had not managed since 2003. Loading The signs are good with more than half the season over. 'When we got to the bye last year we were 13th. When we get to the bye this year we're second,' Fagan said. 'I'm pretty pleased with where we are at, but it's a hard competition so you have to keep going, don't you.'
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Mary Fowler shortlisted for PFA Player of the Year gong
Australian star Mary Fowler is on the six-person shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association Women's Player of the Year award. Voted for by fellow professional players, Fowler was included, along with teammate Yui Hasegawa, following her most productive Women's Super League season to date for Manchester City. They are joined by Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey from European champions Arsenal, Erin Cuthbert from WSL champions Chelsea, and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Also in the running for the PFA Young Player of the Year gong, 22-year-old Fowler picked up six goals and seven assists in the campaign, and her two goal involvements in four successive WSL matches set a competition record in February. Despite having her season cut short by injury in April, the Matildas star was the only City player to reach double figures in goals and assists in all competitions. Japan international midfielder Hasegawa - who won City's Player of the Season award - completed the most dribbles in the WSL across the campaign and was involved in more shot-ending sequences than any other player in her position. She also won possession more times than any other player in the top flight across the season. Russo scored eight times in Arsenal's European success and was joint top scorer in the WSL with 12 goals. Her teammate Caldentey managed nine goals and five assists in the WSL and added eight more in the Champions League. The winner will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 19. Australian star Mary Fowler is on the six-person shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association Women's Player of the Year award. Voted for by fellow professional players, Fowler was included, along with teammate Yui Hasegawa, following her most productive Women's Super League season to date for Manchester City. They are joined by Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey from European champions Arsenal, Erin Cuthbert from WSL champions Chelsea, and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Also in the running for the PFA Young Player of the Year gong, 22-year-old Fowler picked up six goals and seven assists in the campaign, and her two goal involvements in four successive WSL matches set a competition record in February. Despite having her season cut short by injury in April, the Matildas star was the only City player to reach double figures in goals and assists in all competitions. Japan international midfielder Hasegawa - who won City's Player of the Season award - completed the most dribbles in the WSL across the campaign and was involved in more shot-ending sequences than any other player in her position. She also won possession more times than any other player in the top flight across the season. Russo scored eight times in Arsenal's European success and was joint top scorer in the WSL with 12 goals. Her teammate Caldentey managed nine goals and five assists in the WSL and added eight more in the Champions League. The winner will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 19. Australian star Mary Fowler is on the six-person shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association Women's Player of the Year award. Voted for by fellow professional players, Fowler was included, along with teammate Yui Hasegawa, following her most productive Women's Super League season to date for Manchester City. They are joined by Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey from European champions Arsenal, Erin Cuthbert from WSL champions Chelsea, and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Also in the running for the PFA Young Player of the Year gong, 22-year-old Fowler picked up six goals and seven assists in the campaign, and her two goal involvements in four successive WSL matches set a competition record in February. Despite having her season cut short by injury in April, the Matildas star was the only City player to reach double figures in goals and assists in all competitions. Japan international midfielder Hasegawa - who won City's Player of the Season award - completed the most dribbles in the WSL across the campaign and was involved in more shot-ending sequences than any other player in her position. She also won possession more times than any other player in the top flight across the season. Russo scored eight times in Arsenal's European success and was joint top scorer in the WSL with 12 goals. Her teammate Caldentey managed nine goals and five assists in the WSL and added eight more in the Champions League. The winner will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 19.
