Kellaway: Wallabies counting down the days to Lions tour

The Wallabies believe they have provided a stirring response to their critics after making encouraging progress on their Spring tour – and they’re already counting down the days to when they can prove they can seriously mix it with the British & Irish Lions.

Barely had the tour-finale 22-19 loss to Ireland been digested than both coaches, Australia’s Joe Schmidt and the Lions’ Andy Farrell, began banging the drum for what they believe will be a thrilling, competitive series in eight months’ time – and not the calamity for the hosts so many doom-mongers had been predicting.

Asked if their performances on the grand slam tour, with two wins and two losses, would have answered their doubters, winger Andrew Kellaway, while admitting that the narrow loss to the Irish had really hurt, declared: “I certainly hope so.

“Look, people will always say what they want to say, and that’s the beauty of our game, people’s opinions are what make it tick. But the cool part for us is that we get to go out and, hopefully, prove these people wrong.

“And maybe we did, maybe we didn’t – but we certainly feel like we’re going in the right direction. We’re really proud of our group and where we’re heading into a really big year.

“Can’t wait for the Lions tour. It’s now a bit like counting down the days, even if we’ve obviously still got a little bit to get through.”

Indeed, this promises to be a key period. Schmidt is due to make a key announcement later this month about whether he’ll stay on after the Lions’ series in July and August, and then he’ll have to watch the Super Rugby season unfold with as much trepidation as anticipation.

“The first flight leaves for Australia at 5am Sunday, so we haven’t got a lot of time together,” explained Schmidt on Saturday night after the 13th and final Test of the Wallabies’ topsy-turvy year that featured six wins and seven losses.

“We’ll get together for a couple of days from January 8 to 10, and that will allow us to sign off on this year and plot our way ahead, then we’ll get together a week or two before the Lions arrive.

“But I do think we’ve built enough confidence and cohesion this year that we can pick it up again in late June, early July next year. It’s a challenge – but it’s a great challenge.”

Farrell, who’s now on a sabbatical from coaching Ireland to take the Lions’ reins, quickly laughed off the idea that he’ll get any break.

“It sounds like I’m going on holiday – that’s not the case, I can guarantee you that!” smiled the Englishman, who’ll be putting a team together that could feature two Australians, Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu and Ireland’s Mack Hansen.

One thing he’s sure about, though, is that the Wallabies’ side being honed by his old boss Schmidt is beginning to look the part.

“I don’t need a clear sense of how formidable Australia might be. I know Joe. I know what he brings and you saw it in spades out there.

“Seeing their development over the last six months, the biggest thing for me is you’re seeing the style of player coming to fruition, and the athletes they’ve got, they’re certainly looking more cohesive, fitter, etc — and that’s only going to continue.

“I think he’s now got a nice picture, hasn’t he, with everyone that he’s used over over this season, and that’s a lot. They’re going to be looking forward to next season.”