No Dutch treat for Aussies in grasscourt wipeout
Australian tennis hopes of an encouraging start to the grass-court season have been dashed as both Alexei Popyrin and Kim Birrell got knocked out of the annual pre-Wimbledon tournament at Rosmalen.
The double defeat in the Dutch event on Thursday meant there are no Australians left in the singles at the venue where Alex de Minaur lifted the title in 2024.
With de Minaur taking a rest before competing at Queen's Club next week, most hopes rested on sixth seed Popyrin, who was hoping to rebound swiftly after the disappointment of his fourth-round exit at the French Open at the hands of Tommy Paul.
Up to a career-high ranking of 21 thanks to his run to the fourth round in Paris, Popyrin had looked forward to starting his grass campaign in style after a first-round bye, but found himself edged out in a three-set duel with Zizou Bergs.
The Belgian, named after the French soccer great Zinedine Zidane whose nickname is 'Zizou', outlasted Australia's No.2 Popyrin 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-3) after the Sydneysider had taken the opening set in their last-16 clash.
Popyrin had his moments, including one dazzling angled crosscourt winner that he scooped up after chasing down a Bergs volley, but it wasn't enough to earn the 25-year-old his first quarter-final berth in a grass-court event.
Bergs will next meet qualifier Mark Lajal in the quarter-finals after the Estonian was given a walkover when Poland's Hubert Hurkacz withdrew through injury.
In the women's event, world No.69 Birrell, who had defeated another Chinese Wang Xinyu in the first round, went down to Yuan Yue 6-4 6-3 in the last-16 to end the Australian interest.
Elsewhere in the Dutch event, men's top seed Daniil Medvedev beat former champion Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals, while in the women's tournament, third seed Elise Mertens comfortably defeated Maria Sakkari while Bianca Andreescu also advanced.
Australian tennis hopes of an encouraging start to the grass-court season have been dashed as both Alexei Popyrin and Kim Birrell got knocked out of the annual pre-Wimbledon tournament at Rosmalen.
The double defeat in the Dutch event on Thursday meant there are no Australians left in the singles at the venue where Alex de Minaur lifted the title in 2024.
With de Minaur taking a rest before competing at Queen's Club next week, most hopes rested on sixth seed Popyrin, who was hoping to rebound swiftly after the disappointment of his fourth-round exit at the French Open at the hands of Tommy Paul.
Up to a career-high ranking of 21 thanks to his run to the fourth round in Paris, Popyrin had looked forward to starting his grass campaign in style after a first-round bye, but found himself edged out in a three-set duel with Zizou Bergs.
The Belgian, named after the French soccer great Zinedine Zidane whose nickname is 'Zizou', outlasted Australia's No.2 Popyrin 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-3) after the Sydneysider had taken the opening set in their last-16 clash.
Popyrin had his moments, including one dazzling angled crosscourt winner that he scooped up after chasing down a Bergs volley, but it wasn't enough to earn the 25-year-old his first quarter-final berth in a grass-court event.
Bergs will next meet qualifier Mark Lajal in the quarter-finals after the Estonian was given a walkover when Poland's Hubert Hurkacz withdrew through injury.
In the women's event, world No.69 Birrell, who had defeated another Chinese Wang Xinyu in the first round, went down to Yuan Yue 6-4 6-3 in the last-16 to end the Australian interest.
Elsewhere in the Dutch event, men's top seed Daniil Medvedev beat former champion Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals, while in the women's tournament, third seed Elise Mertens comfortably defeated Maria Sakkari while Bianca Andreescu also advanced.
Australian tennis hopes of an encouraging start to the grass-court season have been dashed as both Alexei Popyrin and Kim Birrell got knocked out of the annual pre-Wimbledon tournament at Rosmalen.
The double defeat in the Dutch event on Thursday meant there are no Australians left in the singles at the venue where Alex de Minaur lifted the title in 2024.
With de Minaur taking a rest before competing at Queen's Club next week, most hopes rested on sixth seed Popyrin, who was hoping to rebound swiftly after the disappointment of his fourth-round exit at the French Open at the hands of Tommy Paul.
Up to a career-high ranking of 21 thanks to his run to the fourth round in Paris, Popyrin had looked forward to starting his grass campaign in style after a first-round bye, but found himself edged out in a three-set duel with Zizou Bergs.
The Belgian, named after the French soccer great Zinedine Zidane whose nickname is 'Zizou', outlasted Australia's No.2 Popyrin 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-3) after the Sydneysider had taken the opening set in their last-16 clash.
Popyrin had his moments, including one dazzling angled crosscourt winner that he scooped up after chasing down a Bergs volley, but it wasn't enough to earn the 25-year-old his first quarter-final berth in a grass-court event.
Bergs will next meet qualifier Mark Lajal in the quarter-finals after the Estonian was given a walkover when Poland's Hubert Hurkacz withdrew through injury.
In the women's event, world No.69 Birrell, who had defeated another Chinese Wang Xinyu in the first round, went down to Yuan Yue 6-4 6-3 in the last-16 to end the Australian interest.
Elsewhere in the Dutch event, men's top seed Daniil Medvedev beat former champion Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals, while in the women's tournament, third seed Elise Mertens comfortably defeated Maria Sakkari while Bianca Andreescu also advanced.
Australian tennis hopes of an encouraging start to the grass-court season have been dashed as both Alexei Popyrin and Kim Birrell got knocked out of the annual pre-Wimbledon tournament at Rosmalen.
The double defeat in the Dutch event on Thursday meant there are no Australians left in the singles at the venue where Alex de Minaur lifted the title in 2024.
With de Minaur taking a rest before competing at Queen's Club next week, most hopes rested on sixth seed Popyrin, who was hoping to rebound swiftly after the disappointment of his fourth-round exit at the French Open at the hands of Tommy Paul.
Up to a career-high ranking of 21 thanks to his run to the fourth round in Paris, Popyrin had looked forward to starting his grass campaign in style after a first-round bye, but found himself edged out in a three-set duel with Zizou Bergs.
The Belgian, named after the French soccer great Zinedine Zidane whose nickname is 'Zizou', outlasted Australia's No.2 Popyrin 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-3) after the Sydneysider had taken the opening set in their last-16 clash.
Popyrin had his moments, including one dazzling angled crosscourt winner that he scooped up after chasing down a Bergs volley, but it wasn't enough to earn the 25-year-old his first quarter-final berth in a grass-court event.
Bergs will next meet qualifier Mark Lajal in the quarter-finals after the Estonian was given a walkover when Poland's Hubert Hurkacz withdrew through injury.
In the women's event, world No.69 Birrell, who had defeated another Chinese Wang Xinyu in the first round, went down to Yuan Yue 6-4 6-3 in the last-16 to end the Australian interest.
Elsewhere in the Dutch event, men's top seed Daniil Medvedev beat former champion Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals, while in the women's tournament, third seed Elise Mertens comfortably defeated Maria Sakkari while Bianca Andreescu also advanced.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Hungrier than us': Aussie-bound Lions mauled by Pumas
The British and Irish Lions' dream of an unbeaten 2025 campaign is over even before they fly out to tour Australia after a jolting opening Test loss to Argentina in a thrilling Dublin curtain-raiser. The party-pooping Pumas gleefully ignored all the hype surrounding the Lions as they ripped through the feelgood factor at Lansdowne Road on Friday night with a deserved 28-24 victory against Andy Farrell's predictably rusty but surprisingly outgunned outfit. It was the first time for 54 years since their famous 1971 triumph in New Zealand with Barry John and co that the Lions have lost their opening match of any tour - and the setback left coach Farrell quickly reading the riot act. He didn't hold back about his side's lack of intensity as he declared: "They were hungrier than us - and that's just not acceptable." There were moments, as the Lions scored three tries through centre Bundee Aki, a penalty try and lock Tadhg Beirne, when they showed what captain Maro Itoje called "glimmers of what we can do", the sort of cohesive attacking and forward domination they'll need in their nine Australian matches including three Tests. But their error count was horrendous, allowing the slick visitors, who Beirne had reckoned would be treating the match as their "World Cup final", to lead 21-10 at halftime and then hold out courageously after repelling the Lions' second-half comeback. The excellent counter-attacking Pumas also crossed the whitewash three times through Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Cordero in a deflating evening for the Lions before they fly out to Perth for their first match against Western Force next Saturday. "It's disappointing. We've got to take the learnings from this," said Farrell, back at the Aviva Stadium where he's led Ireland to so much success. Not for the first time, the Pumas, who crushed the Wallabies by 40 points the last time the teams met in the Rugby Championship, delighted in spoiling the send-off, the world's No.5-ranked side now adding the Lions to their victims for the first time after beating all three Rugby Championship rivals last season. The Pumas took the upper hand early when, after Mendy's try had been answered by Aki's score, Albornoz struck from a Puma's counter from their own 22 on the stroke of halftime. The Lions, deprived of almost half their squad because of recent club commitments and injuries, had a couple of scores ruled out in the first half - including one from Sione Tuipulotu - because of knock-ons. But Farrell was briefly enthused at the start of the second half when their robust response led to the penalty try and home favourite Beirne powering over. But Cordero then put the also under-strength Pumas back in front with a superb team score and they held on grimly under pressure near their own line only for the Lions to spurn their last chance when a penalty in front of the Argentina posts was reversed over a Beirne neck roll. "Argentina deserved the win and capitalised on all the errors we made," said Farrell. "There is a lot to do. You can't win a Test with that error rate. We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. "There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off - and I take responsibility for that." There was at least some good news for the Lions in the performances of their three Australian-born players - Scotland's Tuipulotu plus the Irish pair of prop Finlay Bealham and replacement wing Mack Hansen, who all made excellent debuts in the scarlet. Melburnian Tuipulotu looked the Lions' most incisive attacker even if his handling may have been just a tiny bit off while Canberra's Bealham was instrumental in the Lions' scrum domination. The ebullient Hansen, another Canberra native much loved by the Dublin faithful, got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he came on for the last 20 minutes, and repaid the ovation with a couple of fine raids. The British and Irish Lions' dream of an unbeaten 2025 campaign is over even before they fly out to tour Australia after a jolting opening Test loss to Argentina in a thrilling Dublin curtain-raiser. The party-pooping Pumas gleefully ignored all the hype surrounding the Lions as they ripped through the feelgood factor at Lansdowne Road on Friday night with a deserved 28-24 victory against Andy Farrell's predictably rusty but surprisingly outgunned outfit. It was the first time for 54 years since their famous 1971 triumph in New Zealand with Barry John and co that the Lions have lost their opening match of any tour - and the setback left coach Farrell quickly reading the riot act. He didn't hold back about his side's lack of intensity as he declared: "They were hungrier than us - and that's just not acceptable." There were moments, as the Lions scored three tries through centre Bundee Aki, a penalty try and lock Tadhg Beirne, when they showed what captain Maro Itoje called "glimmers of what we can do", the sort of cohesive attacking and forward domination they'll need in their nine Australian matches including three Tests. But their error count was horrendous, allowing the slick visitors, who Beirne had reckoned would be treating the match as their "World Cup final", to lead 21-10 at halftime and then hold out courageously after repelling the Lions' second-half comeback. The excellent counter-attacking Pumas also crossed the whitewash three times through Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Cordero in a deflating evening for the Lions before they fly out to Perth for their first match against Western Force next Saturday. "It's disappointing. We've got to take the learnings from this," said Farrell, back at the Aviva Stadium where he's led Ireland to so much success. Not for the first time, the Pumas, who crushed the Wallabies by 40 points the last time the teams met in the Rugby Championship, delighted in spoiling the send-off, the world's No.5-ranked side now adding the Lions to their victims for the first time after beating all three Rugby Championship rivals last season. The Pumas took the upper hand early when, after Mendy's try had been answered by Aki's score, Albornoz struck from a Puma's counter from their own 22 on the stroke of halftime. The Lions, deprived of almost half their squad because of recent club commitments and injuries, had a couple of scores ruled out in the first half - including one from Sione Tuipulotu - because of knock-ons. But Farrell was briefly enthused at the start of the second half when their robust response led to the penalty try and home favourite Beirne powering over. But Cordero then put the also under-strength Pumas back in front with a superb team score and they held on grimly under pressure near their own line only for the Lions to spurn their last chance when a penalty in front of the Argentina posts was reversed over a Beirne neck roll. "Argentina deserved the win and capitalised on all the errors we made," said Farrell. "There is a lot to do. You can't win a Test with that error rate. We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. "There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off - and I take responsibility for that." There was at least some good news for the Lions in the performances of their three Australian-born players - Scotland's Tuipulotu plus the Irish pair of prop Finlay Bealham and replacement wing Mack Hansen, who all made excellent debuts in the scarlet. Melburnian Tuipulotu looked the Lions' most incisive attacker even if his handling may have been just a tiny bit off while Canberra's Bealham was instrumental in the Lions' scrum domination. The ebullient Hansen, another Canberra native much loved by the Dublin faithful, got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he came on for the last 20 minutes, and repaid the ovation with a couple of fine raids. The British and Irish Lions' dream of an unbeaten 2025 campaign is over even before they fly out to tour Australia after a jolting opening Test loss to Argentina in a thrilling Dublin curtain-raiser. The party-pooping Pumas gleefully ignored all the hype surrounding the Lions as they ripped through the feelgood factor at Lansdowne Road on Friday night with a deserved 28-24 victory against Andy Farrell's predictably rusty but surprisingly outgunned outfit. It was the first time for 54 years since their famous 1971 triumph in New Zealand with Barry John and co that the Lions have lost their opening match of any tour - and the setback left coach Farrell quickly reading the riot act. He didn't hold back about his side's lack of intensity as he declared: "They were hungrier than us - and that's just not acceptable." There were moments, as the Lions scored three tries through centre Bundee Aki, a penalty try and lock Tadhg Beirne, when they showed what captain Maro Itoje called "glimmers of what we can do", the sort of cohesive attacking and forward domination they'll need in their nine Australian matches including three Tests. But their error count was horrendous, allowing the slick visitors, who Beirne had reckoned would be treating the match as their "World Cup final", to lead 21-10 at halftime and then hold out courageously after repelling the Lions' second-half comeback. The excellent counter-attacking Pumas also crossed the whitewash three times through Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Cordero in a deflating evening for the Lions before they fly out to Perth for their first match against Western Force next Saturday. "It's disappointing. We've got to take the learnings from this," said Farrell, back at the Aviva Stadium where he's led Ireland to so much success. Not for the first time, the Pumas, who crushed the Wallabies by 40 points the last time the teams met in the Rugby Championship, delighted in spoiling the send-off, the world's No.5-ranked side now adding the Lions to their victims for the first time after beating all three Rugby Championship rivals last season. The Pumas took the upper hand early when, after Mendy's try had been answered by Aki's score, Albornoz struck from a Puma's counter from their own 22 on the stroke of halftime. The Lions, deprived of almost half their squad because of recent club commitments and injuries, had a couple of scores ruled out in the first half - including one from Sione Tuipulotu - because of knock-ons. But Farrell was briefly enthused at the start of the second half when their robust response led to the penalty try and home favourite Beirne powering over. But Cordero then put the also under-strength Pumas back in front with a superb team score and they held on grimly under pressure near their own line only for the Lions to spurn their last chance when a penalty in front of the Argentina posts was reversed over a Beirne neck roll. "Argentina deserved the win and capitalised on all the errors we made," said Farrell. "There is a lot to do. You can't win a Test with that error rate. We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. "There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off - and I take responsibility for that." There was at least some good news for the Lions in the performances of their three Australian-born players - Scotland's Tuipulotu plus the Irish pair of prop Finlay Bealham and replacement wing Mack Hansen, who all made excellent debuts in the scarlet. Melburnian Tuipulotu looked the Lions' most incisive attacker even if his handling may have been just a tiny bit off while Canberra's Bealham was instrumental in the Lions' scrum domination. The ebullient Hansen, another Canberra native much loved by the Dublin faithful, got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he came on for the last 20 minutes, and repaid the ovation with a couple of fine raids.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Who's the best expansion club? Giants, Suns test mettle
Interstate bragging rights, a top-eight spot and a post-bye curse - there's plenty on the line in the so-called Expansion Cup. As GWS look to head into their mid-season bye with back-to-back wins, a refreshed Gold Coast outfit is out to reignite their season with a smash-and-grab mission at Engie Stadium on Sunday in the interstate clash between the AFL's two youngest sides. The clash looms as the biggest to date between them: GWS are seventh (8-6), while Gold Coast have shaken their status as rank outsiders to be sixth (8-6). The Giants boast a 14-5 record against the Suns and Adam Kingsley's men will hope to pull off a Queensland complete sweep after pulling off an upset over Brisbane in enemy territory. Their top-eight spot could come into question if a defeat is coupled with wins by eighth-placed Fremantle (8-5) over Essendon and ninth-placed Western Bulldogs (7-6) over Richmond. Should the Giants fall short against the Suns, redemption would have to wait after their round-16 bye. Damien Hardwick's charges are boasting fresh legs after a timely bye. The Suns were left licking their wounds after back-to-back wins, losing to the Dockers by 11 points before a 24-point defeat to Geelong. But a weekend off doesn't necessarily pose as an advantage for the Suns, who have not won half of their post-bye matchs since their inaugural season in 2011. Still, Giants midfielder Xavier O'Halloran won't make the mistake of underestimating the Suns - given their record-breaking start to the season. "They're obviously going really well at the moment so they've got a great side," O'Halloran told AAP. "We will do our best during the week to prepare for it, and hopefully come out on Sunday and get the job done. "It would be nice to go into the bye with another win." A blockbuster engine room fight is set to take place at Engie Stadium. While the Giants hope the inclusion of star Toby Greene (glute) will perfectly complement midfielders Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, the Suns will boast quality in skipper Noah Anderson, midfield bull Matt Rowell and Touk Miller. Small forward Brent Daniels, who has often been deployed in the Giants midfield, has suffered an adductor issue and joins veterans Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward on the sidelines. All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is also out after fracturing his toe. The Suns have made three changes, with winger Lachie Weller returning from a hamstring injury to play his 150th game. Ethan Read and Connor Budarick return, while Sean Lemmens, David Swallow and Leo Lombard make way. Giants player O'Halloran is also pushing his case in the midfield after cementing himself in Kingsley's best 22. The 24-year-old has been called upon by Kingsley in 13 matches so far and is set to eclipse his career-best tally of 19 games played. "I've just tried to grab that with both hands and do as best I can," O'Halloran said. "The downside of it is seeing your mates go injured and have time away from footy. "But it opens up opportunities and I've been fortunate enough to have that through the midfield this year." Interstate bragging rights, a top-eight spot and a post-bye curse - there's plenty on the line in the so-called Expansion Cup. As GWS look to head into their mid-season bye with back-to-back wins, a refreshed Gold Coast outfit is out to reignite their season with a smash-and-grab mission at Engie Stadium on Sunday in the interstate clash between the AFL's two youngest sides. The clash looms as the biggest to date between them: GWS are seventh (8-6), while Gold Coast have shaken their status as rank outsiders to be sixth (8-6). The Giants boast a 14-5 record against the Suns and Adam Kingsley's men will hope to pull off a Queensland complete sweep after pulling off an upset over Brisbane in enemy territory. Their top-eight spot could come into question if a defeat is coupled with wins by eighth-placed Fremantle (8-5) over Essendon and ninth-placed Western Bulldogs (7-6) over Richmond. Should the Giants fall short against the Suns, redemption would have to wait after their round-16 bye. Damien Hardwick's charges are boasting fresh legs after a timely bye. The Suns were left licking their wounds after back-to-back wins, losing to the Dockers by 11 points before a 24-point defeat to Geelong. But a weekend off doesn't necessarily pose as an advantage for the Suns, who have not won half of their post-bye matchs since their inaugural season in 2011. Still, Giants midfielder Xavier O'Halloran won't make the mistake of underestimating the Suns - given their record-breaking start to the season. "They're obviously going really well at the moment so they've got a great side," O'Halloran told AAP. "We will do our best during the week to prepare for it, and hopefully come out on Sunday and get the job done. "It would be nice to go into the bye with another win." A blockbuster engine room fight is set to take place at Engie Stadium. While the Giants hope the inclusion of star Toby Greene (glute) will perfectly complement midfielders Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, the Suns will boast quality in skipper Noah Anderson, midfield bull Matt Rowell and Touk Miller. Small forward Brent Daniels, who has often been deployed in the Giants midfield, has suffered an adductor issue and joins veterans Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward on the sidelines. All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is also out after fracturing his toe. The Suns have made three changes, with winger Lachie Weller returning from a hamstring injury to play his 150th game. Ethan Read and Connor Budarick return, while Sean Lemmens, David Swallow and Leo Lombard make way. Giants player O'Halloran is also pushing his case in the midfield after cementing himself in Kingsley's best 22. The 24-year-old has been called upon by Kingsley in 13 matches so far and is set to eclipse his career-best tally of 19 games played. "I've just tried to grab that with both hands and do as best I can," O'Halloran said. "The downside of it is seeing your mates go injured and have time away from footy. "But it opens up opportunities and I've been fortunate enough to have that through the midfield this year." Interstate bragging rights, a top-eight spot and a post-bye curse - there's plenty on the line in the so-called Expansion Cup. As GWS look to head into their mid-season bye with back-to-back wins, a refreshed Gold Coast outfit is out to reignite their season with a smash-and-grab mission at Engie Stadium on Sunday in the interstate clash between the AFL's two youngest sides. The clash looms as the biggest to date between them: GWS are seventh (8-6), while Gold Coast have shaken their status as rank outsiders to be sixth (8-6). The Giants boast a 14-5 record against the Suns and Adam Kingsley's men will hope to pull off a Queensland complete sweep after pulling off an upset over Brisbane in enemy territory. Their top-eight spot could come into question if a defeat is coupled with wins by eighth-placed Fremantle (8-5) over Essendon and ninth-placed Western Bulldogs (7-6) over Richmond. Should the Giants fall short against the Suns, redemption would have to wait after their round-16 bye. Damien Hardwick's charges are boasting fresh legs after a timely bye. The Suns were left licking their wounds after back-to-back wins, losing to the Dockers by 11 points before a 24-point defeat to Geelong. But a weekend off doesn't necessarily pose as an advantage for the Suns, who have not won half of their post-bye matchs since their inaugural season in 2011. Still, Giants midfielder Xavier O'Halloran won't make the mistake of underestimating the Suns - given their record-breaking start to the season. "They're obviously going really well at the moment so they've got a great side," O'Halloran told AAP. "We will do our best during the week to prepare for it, and hopefully come out on Sunday and get the job done. "It would be nice to go into the bye with another win." A blockbuster engine room fight is set to take place at Engie Stadium. While the Giants hope the inclusion of star Toby Greene (glute) will perfectly complement midfielders Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, the Suns will boast quality in skipper Noah Anderson, midfield bull Matt Rowell and Touk Miller. Small forward Brent Daniels, who has often been deployed in the Giants midfield, has suffered an adductor issue and joins veterans Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward on the sidelines. All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is also out after fracturing his toe. The Suns have made three changes, with winger Lachie Weller returning from a hamstring injury to play his 150th game. Ethan Read and Connor Budarick return, while Sean Lemmens, David Swallow and Leo Lombard make way. Giants player O'Halloran is also pushing his case in the midfield after cementing himself in Kingsley's best 22. The 24-year-old has been called upon by Kingsley in 13 matches so far and is set to eclipse his career-best tally of 19 games played. "I've just tried to grab that with both hands and do as best I can," O'Halloran said. "The downside of it is seeing your mates go injured and have time away from footy. "But it opens up opportunities and I've been fortunate enough to have that through the midfield this year."
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Force need to set Lions tour tone by showing some mongrel
Now we have a Lions tour on our hands. That development has not come in the wake of the Wallabies' squad announcement on Thursday, nor the naming of the Lions' team to face Argentina this weekend, but the excellent niggle between Joe Schmidt and his friends in the north. Within hours of Schmidt making reference to the Lions' 'southern hemisphere' midfield partnership of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu for the Argentina game in Dublin, Lions management were asked about the apparent dig, which followed the labelling of Finlay Bealham as 'another Aussie'. Umbrage was apparently taken, but the Lions cannot seriously expect their Seven-Nation Army, with eight Australians, Kiwis and South Africans joining a squad operating under British and Irish Lions branding, to pass without comment. It is not known if Schmidt's alleged dig was intentional, or even wise, but it has given the tour a focal point and some much-needed edge. The Lions will also have to work on their response, because simply pointing out that their imports have shown commitment to their adopted nations really says nothing at all - presumably players such as the Scot Darcy Graham, who was overlooked in favour of an Australian, New Zealander and South African, feels like he too is committed. The edge is needed because there is a great fear hanging over this tour that has not been broached because it would be so woeful for the hosts. With the NRL ascendant - journalists travelling from the north who last visited in 2013 will barely recognise the changed sporting landscape - Australian rugby really can't afford for the Lions to romp through the tour games registering big scores before beating the Wallabies 3-0.
