Australia great Toutai Kefu has urged Wallabies’ forwards to unleash “fire and fury” in Saturday’s blockbuster series opener against the British & Irish Lions at Brisbane’s Lang Park, as doubts swirl over the home side’s ability to match the touring juggernaut.
Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies face a daunting task in the first of the three-Test series, hampered by injuries and pitted against a Lions squad yet to drop a game on tour, having won all five warm-up matches convincingly.
Despite the odds, Kefu — a key figure in Australia’s famous 2-1 series win over the Lions in 2001 — believes the underdog status is the perfect fuel for an upset.
“The biggest motivating factor for these players is they are huge underdogs,” Kefu told Reuters. “The Lions haven’t been beaten on our soil yet. They’ve pretty much manhandled most of our teams. What bigger motivation as a player, to play one of the most iconic teams in the world who are on a huge roll and everyone’s expecting you to lose?”
He added: “As a player, you would just go crazy and absolutely go mental, wouldn’t you?”
The Wallabies’ forward stocks have taken a hit with star back-rower Rob Valetini ruled out due to a calf injury. In his absence, uncapped flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny has been called upon to step up in what will be a trial by fire.
Known for his own uncompromising style during a 60-Test career, Kefu backed De Crespigny to channel the aggression praised by teammate Fraser McReight, who described the debutant as a “psycho” in training.
“That’s what we need,” Kefu said. “We need eight psychos up front, absolute lunatics. That’s the way we need to approach the game — without being too crazy and giving away penalties. We need to go a little bit mental.”
Kefu will also come face to face with the Lions from the coach’s box next Tuesday when he leads the First Nations-Pasifika XV against them in Melbourne.
However, his preparations for the tour clash at Docklands Stadium were disrupted by the late withdrawal of former Wallaby Pete Samu, ruled ineligible due to a disagreement over selection criteria.
Rugby Australia had hoped to include Samu, who has Samoan heritage, in the side, but the Lions’ management objected to his inclusion, citing the pre-agreed eligibility conditions.
“Bloody hell, I thought they would have wanted the strongest competition,” Kefu said. “He really wanted to play as well. He would have started for us.”
The controversy comes only weeks after Lions CEO Ben Calveley urged Australia to field their most competitive teams to ensure the tourists were properly tested ahead of the Test series — and for the benefit of fans, broadcasters and commercial partners.
Regardless of the off-field drama, Kefu is convinced the Wallabies have the emotional edge they need.
“What bigger stage is there to show what you’re made of?”