There were several British and Irish Lions players who had a red-hot crack against the First Nations Pacifica XV on Tuesday, hoping to be taken into consideration for their second Test.
However, thanks to heroic efforts from the FNP and the clunky performance of the Lions, some players believe that Marvel Stadium may have disappointed and missed the opportunity.
Given the way they dominated the early stages of the match against Australia, it’s difficult for many to see the changes coming from the starting XV perspective.
It’s unfair to those players and could disrupt the dressing room if someone is ruled out based on what they saw on Tuesday.
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However, Farrell could be seduced and potentially forced to switch benches.
The Wallabies actually scored 14-10 second half for Brisbane. Farrell would have been fully aware and pointed it out to the group. The tourists won the match, but perhaps they weren’t as convincing as they looked at first glance.
A highly demanding coach, Farrell said he wanted more and was wary of a counterattack from Australia. He wants and needs his bench to be much better.
Marcus Smith, who Farrell likes for his versatility, was kicked out with a head knock and was asked to receive an HIA on Tuesday. He hadn’t had a few minutes of heap on tours so far, but he had very few in fly half.
Owen Farrell, who made his first start on the tour against FNP, once again had a nice touch and was able to force his way to Match Day 23.
His versatility and his vast experience could prove essential in the cauldron of potentially determined tests on the Wallabies. He was there and did it before. He showed he’s in good shape despite the season being confused with Racing 92.
It would not be a surprise at all to see him named, and would be just as surprising.
The spotlight was in the back row in Brisbane last week, and before the match questions were raised about whether the Tom Curry, Tadge Farron and Jack Conan combination were correct.
They are all more than proven themselves with their excellent performances at Suncorp. Tuesday was an opportunity for Henry Pollock and Jack Morgan to give Andy Farrell the time to choose, especially.
Either one will be slotted at the bench location, and Morgan has another successful game on Tuesday. His impact on breakdowns later in the test, where the tired bodies on both sides are at risk of making mistakes, could be a gamechanger for Wallaby’s outfit without the depth wash.
Farrell, of course, can choose to keep the player on his toes and switch things around, either Pollock or Morgan leaves it to the task.
Pollock played 8th and 6th on the tour, and Farrell didn’t like the 20-year-old style.
Pollock did not take a step backwards, bringing the energy and a bit of niggle shown when he went toe toe with Beejan-born Buckloe Sel Ur on Tuesday.
Farrell can’t change wholesale in the second Test, but he knows he needs to keep his players.