The Wallaby legend, who won a world record 139 caps for his country, says Wales’ stunning Six Nations success has brought extra interest and intensity to their looming three-Test showdown with Australia this summer. Gregan predicts Warren Gatland will be coach of the Lions in 2013 and the Test team will be dominated by the Welsh players looking to crack their southern hemisphere hoodoo in June.
Buy this book
Gregan speaks with two hats on when he discusses the mouth-watering Australia versus Wales showdown which has captured the imagination of the rugby public down under.
As a former Australia captain, a World Cup winner in 1999 and a key figure in the Wallabies beating the 2001 Lions, Gregan knows what is need to win a gruelling three-Test rubber.
Having just been appointed to the Australia Rugby Union board, he is also qualified to talk of the games against Wales from a financial perspective.
“It’s going to be a super showdown between two of the most exciting teams in world rugby,” purred Gregan.
“The two countries like to use the ball. They move the point of offence right across the field and play rugby.
“Wales and Australia have had some great Test matches over the last seven years with some really close games. These matches will be close, too.”
Wales head for Australia after hosting the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, taking on the Wallabies at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium a week after.
Australia, who lost their opening Test last year when they went down to Samoa in Sydney, have brought a warm-up match into their schedule to ensure they are ready for that Brisbane game.
The Wallabies will take on Six Nations bottom finishers Scotland at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium on June 5, just four days before facing Gatland’s Welsh fliers.
The second Test with Wales will be staged in Melbourne before the finale in Sydney.
“There’s already a huge interest and anticipation in the Lions, but the appetite for Wales has been whetted by them winning the Six Nations,” said Gregan, speaking last night from the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
“If I was a betting man I would put my money on Gatland getting the Lions coaching position, so this June’s games with Wales are perfect for him.
“He’s a hugely successful coach at every level and will learn so much about the Wallabies, the scheduling with the Tests being on three consecutive weekends, the conditions and which Welsh players have got what it takes to be Lions.
Australia, who lost their opening Test last year when they went down to Samoa in Sydney, have brought a warm-up match into their schedule to ensure they are ready for that Brisbane game.
The Wallabies will take on Six Nations bottom finishers Scotland at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium on June 5, just four days before facing Gatland’s Welsh fliers.
The second Test with Wales will be staged in Melbourne before the finale in Sydney.
“There’s already a huge interest and anticipation in the Lions, but the appetite for Wales has been whetted by them winning the Six Nations,” said Gregan, speaking last night from the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
“If I was a betting man I would put my money on Gatland getting the Lions coaching position, so this June’s games with Wales are perfect for him.
“He’s a hugely successful coach at every level and will learn so much about the Wallabies, the scheduling with the Tests being on three consecutive weekends, the conditions and which Welsh players have got what it takes to be Lions.
“As it stands, I would imagine Warburton would be the Lions captain. He’s a real doer. What I like about him is he is a very consistent player and his team follows him.
“If the Welsh players don’t have injuries and maintain their form, they will form a huge part of the Lions.
“The World Cup comes around every four years but, from a southern hemisphere point of view, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa only host a Lions tour every 12 years.
“Some players never get the chance to play against the Lions so a battle with them is viewed as something special.
“There’s such a great history and tradition about the Lions. One of my memories is Australia beating the Lions well in the first Test in 1989 but the Lions turning it around in the next two matches.
“Our games against them in 2001 went right to the wire. They belted us in the opening encounter but we came back to win 2-1.”
Gregan went on: “The Welsh will have taken a lot of pride in the performances at last year’s World Cup in New Zealand but will be disappointed with how it ended after Warburton was sent off.
“Up to that point it had been very good and it augurs well for their return Down Under.
“This Welsh team is really strong and is going to move forward. That was shown by their Grand Slam in the Six Nations.
“The Australian public is looking forward to seeing the likes of Warburton and George North. They are standout players.”
The Wallabies are the only member of union’s big three Wales have beaten on foreign soil.
They won 19-16 in Sydney, during their first visit to Australia in 1969, and triumphed 22-21 to secure third place at the inaugural World Cup in 1987, at Rotorua in New Zealand.
Buy this book
But Gregan refused to write them off, stressing: “Sport is about the present and Wales have got a chance against Australia.
“They have beaten us a couple of times at the Millennium Stadium and had a draw so we know the threat they pose.
“They are in form and are a strong team. I know it will be at the end of a hard year but it’s like that when we go to the northern hemisphere at the end of the season.
“I don’t buy the argument that players are tired. People use that as an excuse. If players are managed correctly it’s not an issue.”
GEORGE GREGAN was speaking from the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Round 6 of the HSBC Sevens. For more information visit www.irbsevens.com
Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk
Buy This Book
