Wales tour a precursor to the British and Irish Lions tour – Rugby News Update
Robbie Deans the head coach of Australia, who is preparing his side for a gruelling three-match test tour of Wales, which starts on Saturday June 9, believes that the Wales tour is a precursor for the British and Irish Lions tour in a year's time.
"Wales are going to be very excited about what is coming up this month," Deans said. "It is a precursor to next year's British & Irish Lions series, they know their coach is going to be the Lions coach and that if they do well out here it will enhance their
chances of selection."
Warren Gatland, the head coach of Wales is in line to become the coach for the British and Irish Lions series, but he is currently not in Australia as he is recovering from a heel injury. In his absence Rob Howley is acting an interim caretaker coach, and
he will provide Gatland with all the required information that he would need to lead the Lions to Wallabies' soil next year.
Australia goes into Saturday’s match on the back of a last minute loss against Scotland, with Deans promising that his team will approach the first test with ‘fresh legs and a fresh mindset’. His stand-in skipper, David Pocock, will have recovered from the
hypothermia that he suffered against Scotland to face his rival captain Sam Warburton, who is returning after an 11-week lay-off due to injury.
"There are no new injury worries, and David Pocock will be fine once he's warmed up, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Welsh adapt their tactics to make the most of us having played two games in a week” said Deans.
Deans is also off the opinion that the British and Irish Lions tour is once in a lifetime opportunity, and all the Wales players will be hoping that they can do enough to get a place on tour next year.
The Aussie coach will have to rally his troops after the defeat against Scotland. He will be buoyed by the fact that Wales have not won on Wallabies' soil since 1969 and they defeated Wales at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in the third place play-off to claim
the bronze medal.
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