Woodward Slams Wallabies Despite Lions Test Thriller
Former Lions boss questions Australia’s readiness for future tours after narrow defeat.
Legendary coach **Clive Woodward** has delivered a scathing assessment of the Australian Rugby Union’s preparations for the British & Irish Lions tour, despite a vastly improved performance from the Wallabies in the second Test.
Touring Squads Face Scrutiny
While acknowledging the Wallabies’ spirited effort in Melbourne, which saw them narrowly beaten in the dying moments, **Woodward** expressed significant concerns about the standard of opposition presented to the Lions. He believes serious questions must be addressed before Australia is considered a viable host for future Lions tours, particularly with subsequent trips scheduled for New Zealand in 2029 and South Africa in 2033.
Writing in his newspaper column, **Woodward**, who led England to 2003 World Cup victory on Australian soil, stated his belief that the national team’s preparation was insufficient. “I do think Australia have serious questions to answer,” he wrote.
“Last autumn, they looked much more like their old selves. Their performance to beat England at Twickenham was excellent. But to me, they have looked badly underdone until Saturday’s game where they really gave us all a brilliant 80 minutes to watch.”
—Clive Woodward, Former British & Irish Lions Coach
The 2005 Lions coach highlighted the limited preparation matches played by the Wallabies, including a narrow win against Fiji. He questioned the decision-making regarding player availability for domestic fixtures when crucial warm-up games were needed.
The Lions’ 29-26 victory was secured by a last-minute try from **Hugo Keenan**. The match, played in front of a near sell-out crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, underscored the enduring appeal of the Lions concept.
Australia’s overall performance during the tour was considered weak by **Woodward**, with only the second Test standing out. This lack of consistent high-level opposition raises concerns for the future of the Lions brand, especially with potential expansions to tours in Argentina or France being discussed.
Despite the criticisms, **Woodward** lauded the leadership of Lions captain **Maro Itoje**, who joins an elite group of successful Lions Test captains in the professional era, including **Martin Johnson** and **Sam Warburton**.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) recently announced an increase in funding for community rugby, aiming to bolster the grassroots talent pool which ultimately feeds into international competitions like the Lions tour. RFU Invests £300 Million in Grassroots Rugby.
Australia gave the Lions one hell of a game in the second Test.
A nail-biting finish that saw the Lions take the spoils thanks to a last-gasp try! What a series! #LionsRugby #AUSvLIO #Rugby pic.twitter.com/Y7K0F7v5dM
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 29, 2025