The British & Irish Lions will be eager to put their opening loss to Argentina behind them as they turn their focus to Australia. The defeat, while disappointing, is not expected to linger. The real tour begins once the squad sets foot on Australian soil, and the emphasis moving forward will be on energy, desire, and improved execution exactly what was missing in that shaky start.
The Argentina match was marred by handling errors and a lack of urgency, especially at the breakdown. Although some mistakes occurred in high-pressure aerial duels, it was the open-play errors and sluggishness in reacting to loose balls that raised concerns. The Pumas showed more hunger and were sharper in turning broken play into opportunities. Such intensity is what the Lions must now bring, especially against a side like Western Force.
Opening games of a tour are notoriously difficult, often filled with nervous energy and a strong desire to impress. Still, this Lions squad has the quality to bounce back. Argentina are a formidable side, currently ranked fifth in the world, and the challenge they posed won’t be replicated until the Test series begins.
The Lions did show a willingness to keep the ball alive, which points to a training focus on fluid attacking play. However, several key decisions went awry, including missed overlaps and poorly timed passes. Greater accuracy and smarter choices are essential this weekend. The selected squad for the clash against Western Force reflects a promising balance of creativity, pace, and power, with the strong presence of familiar combinations, particularly from Leinster and Ireland, likely to aid cohesion.
This game also presents a big opportunity for players like Henry Pollock to make their mark. Having had a mixed outing off the bench last week, he’ll be looking to impress. Similarly, attention will be on how the Lions address lineout issues, with players like Tadhg Beirne in the spotlight.
Western Force, the weakest of the Australian Super Rugby sides, should be comfortably beaten if the Lions are firing. The team is nearly at full strength, and the expectation is clear they need to make a statement. Early talk from former Wallabies suggesting a possible whitewash of the Lions seems far-fetched, but such claims only fuel the intensity and signal that the tour has truly begun.
