Lions Tour 2025

[Wilson]

The wide net has been cast for Force, tahs and Reds (with a week off) to join the pre-squad national player hubs:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/06/10/new-faces-old-heads-wallabies-lions-prep-officially-underway-as-players-called-into-national-hubs/

There's no full listing, but Christy names some names (mostly the fringe inclusions):

Force:
Nick Champion de Crespigny
Mac Gealy
Kurtley Beale
Ben Donaldson
Harry Potter
Carlo Tizzano
Dylan Pietsch
Jeremy Williams
Will Harris
Darcy Swain

tahs:
Miles Amatosero
Taniela Tupou
Isaac Kailea
Tom Lambert
Tane Edmed
Teddy Wilson

Reds:
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Tom Lynagh
Jock Campbell
Matt Faessler
Josh Nasser

He also lists a few exclusions:

tahs:
Lawson Creighton
Jack Bowen

Reds:
Richie Asiata
Ryan Smith

Apparently the numbers were something like 17 for the Force and tahs, no specific amount given for the Reds. Given how inclusive these squads are setup to be I don't think there can really be surprise inclusions, but Richie Asiata missing out at this stage is a bit of a surprise. There are a lot of Hookers competing at pretty similar levels this year though, so Schmidt may just be looking at focusing on the 4 he used last year (Faessler, BPA, Pollard, Nasser) and maybe rounding that out with test experienced options (Porecki, Lonergan), rather than gambling on a debutant as a back up there.

 

[KOB1987]

Yeah it would make sense to have at least a full 15 to train with while they are in these hubs so a couple of extra in positions which are 50/50 on the first chice (in Schmidt's eyes) makes sense.

 

[JRugby2]

You’re a peanut.

I wonder how many posters have to put you on ignore until the forum actually bans you.

Bit unnecessary.

 

[JRugby2]

The wide net has been cast for Force, tahs and Reds (with a week off) to join the pre-squad national player hubs:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/06/10/new-faces-old-heads-wallabies-lions-prep-officially-underway-as-players-called-into-national-hubs/

There's no full listing, but Christy names some names (mostly the fringe inclusions):

Force:
Nick Champion de Crespigny
Mac Gealy
Kurtley Beale
Ben Donaldson
Harry Potter
Carlo Tizzano
Dylan Pietsch
Jeremy Williams
Will Harris
Darcy Swain

tahs:
Miles Amatosero
Taniela Tupou
Isaac Kailea
Tom Lambert
Tane Edmed
Teddy Wilson

Reds:
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Tom Lynagh
Jock Campbell
Matt Faessler
Josh Nasser

He also lists a few exclusions:

tahs:
Lawson Creighton
Jack Bowen

Reds:
Richie Asiata
Ryan Smith

Apparently the numbers were something like 17 for the Force and tahs, no specific amount given for the Reds. Given how inclusive these squads are setup to be I don't think there can really be surprise inclusions, but Richie Asiata missing out at this stage is a bit of a surprise. There are a lot of Hookers competing at pretty similar levels this year though, so Schmidt may just be looking at focusing on the 4 he used last year (Faessler, BPA, Pollard, Nasser) and maybe rounding that out with test experienced options (Porecki, Lonergan), rather than gambling on a debutant as a back up there.

Asiata missing out is STIFF after the year he has had. I get taking Faz on last years form, ditto with Porecki, but how does Nasser get that luxury?

 

[PhilClinton]

I'm not sure there is a huge correlation between provincial results and international results based on the captain, especially since several players effectively captain a team in any match with injuries / subs / cards taken into account. Not to mention the quality or otherwise of the rest of the provincial team.
I think what is more important is the quality of the leadership group. True, the captain is a big part of that.

I think when it comes to high performance representative teams there is definitely merit in having a captain coming from a background of winning or at least not being in a team which has been horrible.

Take SOO for example - I've heard Yeo has been a masterstroke captaincy appointment as the players absolutely respect what he's done over the past 5 years. There is a genuine sense of wanting to listen to him and take his advice.

On the flipside, DCE has been on the decline in form and also had a falling out with his club side, Manly have also underperformed for a long time. The QLD players have become disconnected to him and you can see that on the field. The fallout from him being dropped from the team is no where near as bad as the media have said. And on that note I hope Slater appoints Munster as captain and not Tino for the same reason as the Titans suck balls.

 

[Wilson]

Asiata missing out is STIFF after the year he has had. I get taking Faz on last years form, ditto with Porecki, but how does Nasser get that luxury?

My understanding is every player used under Schmidt last year is there, which makes a fair bit of sense if you want these broader groups preparing to play Schmidt's game - have as many guys who now what it is in the training groups to bring the new ones up to speed.

On Nasser v Asiata specifically, while I think Asiata was better this year, I don't think Nasser has been in anyway poor. I also don't see him making the cut done squad (assuming 3 hookers) so I'm not sure it makes much difference just yet. I won't be surprised if Asiata now gets 3 games against the Lions and pushes his way into the RC squad though.

 

[PhilClinton]

Because I don't think Jake Gordon is a bad choice for captain?

This isn't really playing the ball.

Mate it's not just that.

You've been trolling all over Reds forums all year.

It's not even the Gordon thing - I can live with him being captain. We are probably going to be smoked by the Lions anyway regardless of the captain.

The strike out the winners of Super Rugby AU comment was comical and we could go around and around in circles with that type of stuff but it doesn't change the fact that the Waratahs have been consistently poor with Gordon on the field over the past 5 years, which is the basis of my argument that you seem to ignore.

 

[JRugby2]

My understanding is every player used under Schmidt last year is there, which makes a fair bit of sense if you want these broader groups preparing to play Schmidt's game - have as many guys who now what it is in the training groups to bring the new ones up to speed.

On Nasser v Asiata specifically, while I think Asiata was better this year, I don't think Nasser has been in anyway poor. I also don't see him making the cut done squad (assuming 3 hookers) so I'm not sure it makes much difference just yet. I won't be surprised if Asiata now gets 3 games against the Lions and pushes his way into the RC squad though.

yeah for mine it's purely a short term optics thing that I'm disappointed about in that in most cases bloke who have better seasons get named in the higher squads.

 

[Tomthumb]

Mate it's not just that.

You've been trolling all over Reds forums all year.

It's not even the Gordon thing - I can live with him being captain. We are probably going to be smoked by the Lions anyway regardless of the captain.

The strike out the winners of Super Rugby AU comment was comical and we could go around and around in circles with that type of stuff but it doesn't change the fact that the Waratahs have been consistently poor with Gordon on the field over the past 5 years, which is the basis of my argument that you seem to ignore.

It's not an anti Reds thing; I've was here last year backing Wilson for captain, hell I was even wanting Len moved to 12 so Flook could start. I just don't think you can start Valetini & Wilson in a back row if Skelton is there (which he should be). A guy like Hooper or Uru would make more sense. In that case I think Gordon makes the most sense as he's an experienced player that most likely starts and Schmidt seems to trust him

The Super Rugby Au comment was because they didn't play any NZ teams so it's not really the same, nothing to do with the Reds winning. I have no problem with the Reds, just quite underwhelmed by Les Kiss tactical decisions

 

[Tomthumb]

yeah for mine it's purely a short term optics thing that I'm disappointed about in that in most cases bloke who have better seasons get named in the higher squads.

I'd agree Asiata deserves it on form, it's amazing how fast hooker has gone from such a weakness to a relative position of strength

 

[Ignoto]

I don't think Nasser has been in anyway poor. I also don't see him making the cut done squad (assuming 3 hookers) so I'm not sure it makes much difference just yet

I agree that Nasser hasn't been poor, but at the same time, he hasn't put in shifts that have been better than Richie this season. This season again highlighted Nasser's body letting him down in putting consistent games back to back.

The inform Hooker this season has been Pollard and I think Richie has been the closest to replicating Pollards style i.e. a hard explosive runner. I don't expect Richie to make the 23, but I don't think Nasser should be higher in the pecking order.

Fez has a lot of work ahead of him to show he should be in the 15 or 23 though.

 

[JRugby2]

I'd agree Asiata deserves it on form, it's amazing how fast hooker has gone from such a weakness to a relative position of strength

I'm not sure I'd say we're strong here - just a lot of good but not world beating options to pick from

 

[Dctarget]

Do we have a more concrete timeline on Fez's return?

Also Zander out is a big win for us. The other tighthead Furlong is already looking unlikely with a dodgy calf.

Finlay Bealham has been called into the squad, bringing the total Aussies to three.

Starting tighthead will almost definitely be Will Stuart with Bealham deputising. The 3rd travelling tighthead is dual side Asher Opoku-Fordjour who's talented but only 20 years old and with 1 cap off the bench for England.

Bell & Slipper won't be too intimidated.

 

[JRugby2]

Do we have a more concrete timeline on Fez's return?

Also Zander out is a big win for us. The other tighthead Furlong is already looking unlikely with a dodgy calf.

Finlay Bealham has been called into the squad, bringing the total Aussies to three.

Starting tighthead will almost definitely be Will Stuart with Bealham deputising. The 3rd travelling tighthead is dual side Asher Opoku-Fordjour who's talented but only 20 years old and with 1 cap off the bench for England.

Bell & Slipper won't be too intimidated.

I think when he's finished influencing the rest of the country he's straight back in.

 

[JRugby2]

Is this Peitsch dad eh ? Lol

Play it cool Mr Peitsch….

lol you sound butt hurt, don’t take this forum so serious. There is more out there then this

Can an admin please fuck this guy off? This shit genuinely ruins these forums.

 

[Slim 293]

lol you sound butt hurt, don’t take this forum so serious. There is more out there then this

Sure is, you might be about to find out…

 

[rugbyAU]

Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose are all nursing injuries.

 

[Tomthumb]

I'm not sure I'd say we're strong here - just a lot of good but not world beating options to pick from

Yeah that’s true, although the leap that Pollard has taken this year puts him on that path

 

[cyclopath]

I think when it comes to high performance representative teams there is definitely merit in having a captain coming from a background of winning or at least not being in a team which has been horrible.

Take SOO for example - I've heard Yeo has been a masterstroke captaincy appointment as the players absolutely respect what he's done over the past 5 years. There is a genuine sense of wanting to listen to him and take his advice.

On the flipside, DCE has been on the decline in form and also had a falling out with his club side, Manly have also underperformed for a long time. The QLD players have become disconnected to him and you can see that on the field. The fallout from him being dropped from the team is no where near as bad as the media have said. And on that note I hope Slater appoints Munster as captain and not Tino for the same reason as the Titans suck balls.

Of course having anyone as captain who has led a winning team is great, but compared to the past, before we had 8 subs and "bomb squads" todays game is quite different. Most, if not all teams talk about and establish leadership groups to keep continuity when injuries / subs etc happen. Much of what they decide within a game (take the 3, go for a lineout and maul, take the scrum) has probably been discussed and planned within a group and the coaches pre-game, so I think the guy with the "C" next to his name is less critical than it was in the past. Which is why I think any of the named options in my previous post would do a good job.
Personally I think Wilson would be a great option, but we don't even know if he will play yet.

 

[Wilson]

Biggest question around Gordon as Captain is probably who is going to be the VC - it's unlikely he'll be out there for more than 60 minutes per game, so it's a going to be of similar importance to when we've had prop captains in the past. Seems likely it'll be between Wilson (either as a starter going 80 or the bench back row) or maybe Tate/Slipper coming off the bench. Ala'alatoa is the other obvious backup, but he'll almost certainly be leaving the field at about the same time as Gordon in most matches.