It was a busy rugby weekend as the British and Irish Lions narrowly avoided a major upset over Waratah before the Wallabies were very fortunate to escape with their victory in Fiji.
Finish the action and read the edges close to the first test between Brisbane’s Wallabies and the Lion.
Wallabies fell into a barrenchini-sized hole on Sunday
Australia certainly came out of prison in Newcastle on Sunday. The 14-0 advantage was dug into the free-running Fiji, who played epic rugby in the sun on Sunday. However, the Wallabies had no clinical edge, but their ownership and territory flow in the first half should have almost concluded the game at halftime. With better execution and some smarter decisions, Australia would have risen at least 20 points, with no more games. But it was all Fiji in the second half, and their Powerball carriers provided a platform for visitors to play the legendary brand of running rugby. And while the momentum underscored how much value absent Rob Valletini was to the Wallabies, Will Skeleton also threw his huge frame. However, it is Valencini who has been making frequent Australia in recent years when the ball is slower, his accusations and the ability to seriously miss defenders on Sunday. As a result, the Wallabies ran 430 run meters in Newcastle, and were easily eaten up in 621 by the Fijians. Australia fell into the hole late and was not a late knock-on of Villiame’s Mata, so it would have been Fijians raising the first newly-made Vevare bowl. Australia will be sweating after the injury to the two John Ires medalist calf next week.
Pay tribute to Fiji’s name
As mentioned above, Fiji did a great job controlling the Test on the second half Sunday, with only the late Harry Wilson heroics denying another victory in Australia. What made their performance even more impressive was the fact that they did it in just a week of preparation, and coach Mick Byrne later revealed that they only had two full training sessions. Along with Fijian Drua’s core, boosted by a class of European-based players including Mata, Josua Tuisova and Sireli Makaca, who scored 11 tries in the 2024-25 top 14 season, Fijians now own a test unit of established quality and have been strangled to the top 10 rugby. The sides are fully focused on Sunday’s game, and he also admitted it was “inevitable” that his players also had a Lions series that loomed behind his head. The Australian Fijian counterpart Byrne was disappointed that his side had not finished his job, but he was also cheerful about their trajectory. And he should. You certainly won’t want Scotland to Vy this weekend heading to Suva. It would be a long afternoon for Scotland on Saturday if Fijians could find a calm rhythm at Newcastle’s second 40-year-old.
TMO was painful, but what did the touching person see?
Fiji was right to lament Sireli Makaka’s overturned attempt on Sunday afternoon, so after the official TV match confirmed that Harry Potter had grazing part of the touchline, he then threw a wild pass to Nick Frost, visitors won the sales that Makaka scored later. When TMOs are able to and cannot intervene in rugby, it appears all at sea at the moment. I took this opportunity to arrive at the right decision, but it was probably wrong given that the reviews are only made in the same attack sequence, as the law is designed. With that in mind, TMO could not have returned beyond Fiji’s sales. But the bigger question is, did Potter see exactly what the Touch Judge was looking at when he grazes the White Wash? At the time there was a collective protest from Andrew Johns Grandstand, showing exactly what they saw. And a similar moment occurred in Sydney the night before, but it was clear to those 80 metres away that the Lions had touched their feet just in front of their assistant Angus Mavey. And then there was a clear advance pass from Wallabies fullback Tom Wright, which gave him a try on Max Jorgensen. The problem is that it took too long to create something that appears to be an obvious call. The overall setup needs to be better.
Lancaster must give home to Australian rugby
Aside from Tireless Waratahs No. 7 and Alex Mitchell of Man-of the Math-of the Math, NSW’s winger derby Lancaster was the other standout player to win the Lions 21-10 at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. Incredibly, he is currently not signed a 2026 contract. NSW coach Dan McKellar just says Lancaster’s future is “under review.” On and off the Wallata 23 throughout this year’s Super Rugby season, Lancaster’s performance on Saturday night showed why he trained at Wallaby camp before returning to preparing for the offensive with the Lions. While Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is clearly a fan, NSW will add test winger Harry Potter to an outside back group that includes Max Jorgensen, Andrew Keraway, Joseph Afkuso Suariy and the underrated Triston Riley. If NSW doesn’t have space for the team due to the former Sevens star, they will need to find a place for him elsewhere in Australian rugby. If his finish on Waratah’s first attempt didn’t highlight it, it was his second half turn, chase, tackle and sales at the Lion opposite Mac Hansen. It was an accurate play he made on the Sevens circuits around the world over and over, but rarely seen in the 15th. If Lancaster is lost overseas or lost in rugby league, it will be a shame to cry. At least we’ll be able to meet him this weekend in Adelaide.
Continuous music spells, Rugby Australia
The record crowd made a way to watch the Wallabies game in Newcastle on Sunday. The strong, over 28,000, siphoned the glorious sunshine at McDonald Jones Stadium. Fiji fans added some amazing colour and energy, especially when the team began dominating after halftime. What was so much fun was the constant music that was lively through the PA system at seemingly every stop throughout the 80 minutes. It may fill a quiet period with a Super Rugby game where stadiums are rarely even half-hearted, but when natural topics of crowds fill the venue instead, it simply isn’t necessary for testing. If Rugby Australia plans to continue its Lions Series approach, it should immediately abandon it. Lions fans let themselves know, and it’s up to Wallabee supporters to answer that – DJs can spend the night.