British and Irish Lions Tour: Australia’s key players
As the British and Irish Lions gear up for their upcoming tour to Australia, the Wallabies are preparing for one of the most intense and anticipated rivalries in rugby.
The Lions’ visits to Australia are always thrilling, and this series promises to be no different.
With a blend of experienced stars and emerging talent, Australia’s rugby future looks bright ahead of the 2027 World Cup that will also be held in the country.
In this article, Sports News Blitz rugby union writer Charlie Elliott looks at some of the stars from Joe Schmidt’s side.
Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i
Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i is a welcome addition to the Wallabies since his switch from rugby league in the Autumn and has established himself as one of the brightest talents in the sport.
A dynamic and powerful player with exceptional speed, his ability to play across the backline gives Schmidt a very strong attacking option.
At 6’5” he is an absolute monster once he gets going and will be difficult for the Lions' defence to deal with.
The New South Wales Waratahs back still has plenty to prove in the sport given that he is only 21 years old.
He now has the perfect opportunity to cement his name on the world stage with some strong performances in the Summer.
Sua’ali’i already has experience against the home nations, having won Player of the Match in his rugby union debut at Twickenham, when the Wallabies won late on.
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Max Jorgensen
The aforementioned late win for Schmidt’s side against England was thanks to a try from the next name on this list, winger Max Jorgensen.
Somehow even younger than Sua’ali’i at only 20 years old, it feels like the Australia backline is set for the next ten years with these two.
A fullback or winger by trade, the Waratahs are blessed with both of these huge talents.
It could have been another story for the winger though, as the Sheffield-born player holds a British passport.
South Yorkshire was traded for Sydney early on in his life, but it could provide him with a bit of extra motivation playing against a representative side that includes the nation of his birth.
Speedy and agile, whoever is selected for the Lions will be in for a tough game should they come up against Jorgensen.
Rob Valetini
Onto a more experienced player, 26-year-old back row Rob Valetini is next on this list.
The Brumbies bruiser is known for his physicality, his ball-carrying and his brilliant offloading ability.
Since his youth, he has been destined for stardom and has lived up to the hype with a few stellar years for the Wallabies.
For the past two years, Valetini has won the John Eales Medal, awarded to the best Australian rugby union player of the year - arguably the best player on this list.
With the Lions’ back row being a very strong position and anyone's guess as to who will be selected, the battles between Valetini and touring players are sure to be amongst the best seen across the series.
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Tom Wright
Another dual-code player, former NRL player Tom Wright swapped league for union early on in his career and never looked back.
At 27 years old, the winger/fullback provides an experienced head in the youthful backline, with some outstanding attacking ability and game intelligence.
Beating his man has become a staple of his game and he is yet another back who is going to be dangerous for the Lions.
With his age, he is right in his prime and will be keen to impress ahead of the home World Cup in two year's time.
Rugby Australia are yet to renew Wright’s contract. However, with him being in the final year, this could end up being a final farewell for the Wallabies.
His club side Brumbies have started off the Super Rugby Pacific season well and are currently fifth.
Will Skelton
The only player in this list currently playing outside of Australia, lock Will Skelton is at La Rochelle in the Top 14 now.
An absolute giant at 6’8”, Skelton is now a Wallabies regular after having 1,814 days between caps up until his return in 2021.
Captain for the 2023 World Cup, he has since made up for lost time and has established himself as one of the best players to wear the gold jersey.
Formerly of Saracens in the Premiership, he will potentially be coming up against former teammates, such as fellow lock Maro Itoje if the latter is to be picked.
Capable of going toe to toe with anyone in world rugby, Skelton could prove the difference if the Wallabies are to defeat the Lions.
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