British and Irish Lions coach Andrew Goodman has said the coaching staff will ‘reward form’ in their selection for Test Three against the Wallabies, amid speculation of widespread change.
The tourists venture to Accor Stadium with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, following wins in Brisbane and Melbourne, and that gives head coach Andy Farrell free rein to roll out changes to his 23-man squad.
But, a victory in Sydney would also secure a first Three-Test series whitewash since 1904, which only heightens Farrell’s selection conundrum.
‘It will be the best team available’
The Lions have mixed news on the injury front. Garry Ringrose has been ruled out through concussion, days after pulling out of Test Two after suffering concussive symptoms, but trio Mack Hansen, Joe McCarthy and Sione Tuipulotu are back in contention.
While the Lions might be at virtually full-strength heading into Test Three, there is still a lingering question of whether the Lions should give those players who’ve missed out on Test selection a go, but Goodman insists the squad will be picked on form from right across the tour.
“It will be the best team available to win the series,” Goodman said. “That might look like some changes, that might look like consistency.”
“You’ve got to reward form when guys have been playing well and are match-hardened in those Test matches. It is a balance.”
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‘There’s huge motivation’
This game might be a dead rubber in the context of this Test series, with the Lions already bagging the Tom Richards Cup after the 29-26 win at the MCG, but there is still that shot at history on the line for the tourists, which Goodman feels is a huge motivator heading into Saturday’s clash.
“It’s huge. It’s everything for us as a group to get excited about,” Goodman said.
“It was 1974 the last time a Lions team went through the Test series unbeaten (against the Springboks), so there’s huge motivation for the group.
“Andy has been massive on that since the start, his expectation not just of the players but us as management and coaches to be the most successful team.”
His words also echo the rallying call issued by tour captain Maro Itoje, who urged his side to ‘go again’ to achieve that historic feat.
“When we met for the first time, big Faz made the call that he wanted us to come out here and win, he wanted us to win everything,” said Itoje.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’re absolutely delighted with the result tonight, but we want to go again next week.”