Sentiment has not saved Lions great Brian O’Driscoll but the Wallabies will punt on their own rugby ornament, with George Smith to start in Saturday’s blockbuster decider.
O’Driscoll has sensationally been denied a potential fairytale finish in what would have been his last British and Irish Lions game at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Desperate for a maiden series success after first touring Australia as a hot-shot 22-year-old in 2001, the Irish centre was expected to captain the tourists but coach Warren Gatland has preferred his Welsh favourites – Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies – in the midfield.
In contrast, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans – who will officially announce his team on Thursday – is set to recall 110-cap veteran Smith for his first Test in more than three years.
The 32-year-old will start in a reworked Australian back-row combination, with Western Force flanker Ben Calman also a surprise bolter on the bench and an unlucky Liam Gill expected to make way.
Smith has not played for six weeks due to a knee injury but Deans has called on his experience and nous to improve their breakdown after being outpointed in the 16-15 second Test win in Melbourne.
O’Driscoll’s shock dumping is one of six changes to the Lions starting 15, with fit-again Roberts among four of Gatland’s Welsh players promoted.
Gatland, to start with 10 Welshman in total including new captain Alun Wyn Jones, admitted it was a lively selection meeting on Tuesday night.
“Brian O’Driscoll is a great player and has had a wonderful career but for the final Test in Sydney we just felt Jamie Roberts’ presence offered us something more,” the Kiwi coach Gatland said.
“It’s the first time any coach has ever had that decision with him in 15 years of rugby so it’s not easy for that to be the first time.
“But he’s still going to be important for us for the next 72 hours in terms of his experience and leadership.
“Jamie’s back fit and that’s where Jamie’s been given the nod in terms of that partnership with Jon Davies in the midfield.”
English prop Alex Corbisiero’s return from a calf injury is a major boost to the Lions scrum while Irishman Sean O’Brien replaces injured skipper Sam Warburton (hamstring) at No.7.
Welsh halfback Mike Phillips is over a knee problem to replace Ben Youngs, while compatriots Richard Hibbard and Toby Faletau have been promoted to the forward pack at hooker and No.8 respectively.
Like O’Driscoll, Ben Youngs and No.8 Jamie Heaslip have been dumped from the 23 entirely while flanker Justin Tipuric and English centre Manu Tuilagi will make their Lions Test debuts off the bench.
“It was tough but we’ve come up with what we think is a side that’s good enough to do the job on Saturday,” Gatland said.
He labelled Wyn Jones, the man at the centre of James Horwill’s rucking charge, a player who led from the front.
“I think he’s just been an important part of that engine room that needs to fire for us on Saturday – particularly that tight five,” he said.
Asked what he would say to Horwill when he shook his hand on Saturday, Wyn Jones replied: “Congratulations”.
Deans may take a risk by naming a forward-heavy 6-2 bench with just two reserves covering the backline.
Lions: Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Jonny Sexton, Mike Phillips; Toby Faletau, Sean O’Brien, Dan Lydiate, Geoff Parling, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero. Res: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Justin Tipuric, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi.
