Bewildering selection calls that could damage Wallabies' Lions tour chances - five things

If last week’s announcement that Les Kiss would stay at the Reds in 2026 wasn’t enough evidence that the federated model in Australian rugby was holding the game back, then surely the decision to continue to play two Wallaby starters out of position is.

While Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was outstanding at fullback against the Brumbies, is he going to wear the No.15 jersey against the Lions?

Is Len Ikitau going to wear the No.13 jersey in the same Test?

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In both cases probably not, because for much of last year’s end of year tour, Ikitau slid in one place closer to the action at inside centre while Suaallii was his midfield partner. Tom Wright, who rediscovered his mojo over the weekend, was also at No.15 for the entire tour.

Yet, on the eve of the biggest rugby event in Australia since 2013, and the most important event on these shores since 2003, both players have spent virtually the entire year playing in a different position to how they’re likely to be used by the Wallabies.

Both men are filling those roles well, but that’s not the point.

What does it say about Australia’s greater alignment when two of the key backline figures aren’t spending big minutes in a role they’ll likely play for the Wallabies?

After all, the Brumbies and Waratahs are controlled by Rugby Australia.

If anyone can get everyone on the same page, surely it’s those two franchises.

Of course conversations would be occurring in the background, but it really doesn’t seem like Rugby Australia is in control.

Now, Joe Schmidt will likely have just one Test to not just build cohesion between the partnership, but both players will likely have to fine-tune the detail required to excel in the roles. It won’t be easy.

The fix Australian rugby won’t solve overnight

The only thing consistent about Australian rugby in 2025 is the inconsistency of the four Australian Super Rugby sides this season.

That happens when there is a high turnover of players across rosters, but it also happens when teams aren’t used to winning.

The Wallabies have won around 41 per cent of Tests since 2015 and only the Brumbies have consistently made the finals during that time.

Indeed, winning becomes a habit. So does losing.

It’s not easy to win regularly because it demands serious attention to detail and stability on and off the park. That simply hasn’t happened in Australia, including at the Wallabies.

The detail was missing from the Reds in the closing stages during their late loss to the Drua.

After Seru Uru won the Reds a turnover, the visitors just needed to win the lineout and keep it tight.

Instead, rookie Max Craig through towards the back, the ball was stolen, the Drua countered and the rest is history.

But the lineout should never have gone past the front lifter. This was the time to shut the game down, not invite risk into it. Making it worse, the Reds had three experienced second-rowers on the field, including two Wallabies.

The Waratahs, meanwhile, were guilty of kicking the ball away when they were down to 14. It was dumb.

Reds gun has to respond

Fraser McReight will feature against the Lions, but he’s no guarantee to start in all three Tests, let alone in the opening match in Brisbane.

Indeed, the gap is closing. Carlo Tizzano continues to play out of his skin.

He’s gone from a one-dimensional to player to one of the most physical in the game.

Forget about the tries he’s scoring, it’s the physical work he’s doing on both sides of the ball that is standing out.

Tizzano just doesn’t miss a tackle, he’s hard on the ball and he’s now tough to bring down with his leg drive and running lines phenomenal.

McReight hasn’t been the same since injuring his shoulder six weeks ago.

He took a step forward against the Drua, but he’s got some ground to make up despite having some money in the bank after a phenomenal 2024 campaign.

Biggest signing in Super Rugby history

Israel Folau and Suaalii rank among the best signings in Super Rugby history on this side of the ditch, but is Ardie Savea’s move to Moana Pasifika the most influential in the competition’s history?

Suaalii could yet deliver the Waratahs a title and fill the Sydney Football Stadium, but Savea’s impact at Moana has been immediate and profound.

He was once again incredible against the Highlanders, scoring another stunning try, making nine out of nine tackles and carrying on 19 occasions for 81 metres.

The 2023 World Rugby player of the year has turned Tana Umaga’s side around in the space of a year.

They’ve got from a plucky, physical side to one that competes for 80 minutes and is in the top six with a month to go.

Moana will have a bye this week, but their finals destiny will be made or lost a week later when they host their older brothers, the Blues, at North Harbour Stadium.

Officiating is a mess

Last week it was announced that Ben O’Keeffe would be the man with the whistle for the opening Lions Test in Brisbane. It’s a must-win Test for the Wallabies if they want to win the series because historically speaking, the Lions improve during the campaign as they spend more time together.

O’Keeffe isn’t someone who is rattled easily. He’s a cool head and someone who stands by his decisions.

And in many way, Rugby Australia will be pleased he’s in charge first because he’s dealing with the players who will be wearing gold on almost a weekly basis.

However, O’Keeffe was also the official in charge of Friday night’s sole fixture between the Blues and Force, and several decisions simply didn’t add up.

The better team might have won, but the mixed use of the TMO was baffling.

Indeed, in the eighth minute, O’Keeffe rewarded Dalton Papali’i with a penalty after getting on the ball following Jeremy Williams’ linebreak. The issue is, Papali’I, who won the ball, had clear hands on the ground before scooping up the ball. It was also straight in front of O’Keeffe.

While decisions on the fly can often go against teams, the couple later on were inexcusable – and it’s not just O’Keeffe who should be highlighted.

Not only did Anton Segner clean Henry Robertson beyond the ruck in the split second before Marcel Renata dived over, but the flanker held onto Robertson’s ankle for seconds to ensure he was in no position to make a tackle on the prop. While it’s unlikely that he would have stopped the prop, it’s beside the point.

Robertson was livid, but the TMO remained silent.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, with the Force trailing 12-7, O’Keeffe and his assistant allowed lock Laghlan McWhannell to swim around the side of the maul and bring it down. It was a penalty every day of the week.

O’Keeffe was unmoved, while the TMO remained silent.

Apparently this is through the middle?

What’s doing!?!? pic.twitter.com/cfCrRjL7QG — Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) May 2, 2025

It was flabbergasting.

The missed moments were all the more extraordinary because while TMOs are seemingly happy to jump in and remind referees of knock-ons back many moons ago, no one can spot basic infringements on the game.

All it means is that there are more inconsistencies.

Have officials become complacent because of having a TMO to fall back on?

Christy Doran’s Australian Super Rugby team of the week:

Angus Bell, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Seru Uru, Carlo Tizzano, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andy Murhead, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

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