There will be no easy opening of the door to Test match selection for Jac Morgan after Tom Curry delivered a performance of pedigree to power the British & Irish Lions to a 27-19 win over Australia in Brisbane.
Morgan has had to content himself with a place in the Lions midweek team to meet the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday in Melbourne instead.
At least his selection at blindside flanker, rather than openside, gives him the opportunity to underline his versatility and could improve his chances of at least pushing for a place on the bench for the second Test.
But described as a “machine” by Lions head coach Andy Farrell, Curry silenced doubters and justified his selection with a brutal, all-action try-scoring display that set the tone for the Lions' opening Test triumph at Suncorp Stadium.
It was a dominant 50-minute spell from Farrell’s men, who also scored through Sione Tuipulotu and Dan Sheehan, and it leaves them one win away from a series victory.
Curry, alongside Tadhg Beirne, formed the heartbeat of the Lions' forward dominance — especially at the breakdown, where both men wreaked havoc.
Their selections had raised eyebrows - especially in Wales - after underwhelming tour form, but Farrell’s faith paid off emphatically.
“I read all that, it was interesting wasn’t it? They were immense, absolutely immense,” said Farrell,” when asked about the debate before Curry and Beirne’s selections.
“Tom Curry put in some really nice shots defensively and Tadhg Beirne got the turnover very early doors and set the tone. It didn’t stop there, it carried on the same for the whole game.”
Curry’s commanding showing was a stark reminder of what it means to be a “Test match animal,” a phrase coined by Sir Ian McGeechan for players who thrive under pressure.
From the opening whistle, Curry’s physicality set the tone, clattering James Slipper with a thunderous early tackle and continuing to dominate in contact.
His performance will make it difficult for Farrell to consider changes in the back row for the second Test, meaning Morgan – the only Welshman in the squad – will have to remain patient.
Though Farrell praised the Wales flanker ahead of the Brisbane clash, Curry’s outing has surely solidified his grip on the No.7 jersey.
“He was as close as you could imagine. You’re actually gutted for players like that… because they are all playing good rugby and could well easily be in this side on Saturday,” Farrell said about Morgan when naming the first Test squad.
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Now the focus turns to Melbourne, where Farrell is bracing his squad for a response from Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies, who finished the first Test strongly after a subdued opening hour.
“We do take encouragement from the display, but at the same time we know what is coming,” Farrell warned.
“When an Australia team becomes desperate, it is difficult to handle… it’ll mean the world to them. We need to make sure we are ready for them to be at their best.”
Australia’s second-half rally, sparked by sharper attacking phases and greater control, has given them hope.
Their chances will be further boosted by the return of powerhouse forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, both cleared to play after missing the opener with calf injuries.
“We fought our way back into the game,” said Schmidt.
“If we could get within one score, you never know what could have happened… I love the way this team is developing.”
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Owen Farrell will lead the Lions for the first time in Tuesday’s match at Marvel Stadium.
Farrell is given his maiden start of the tour 17 days after he joined the Lions squad as a call-up for Elliot Daly and forges a midfield partnership with fellow late arrival Jamie Osborne.
The former England captain came on as a second-half replacement against AUNZ on July 12 and produced some eye-catching moments in attack as he blew away the cobwebs in his first appearance since May 4.
It will be the first time in four tours that he has skippered the Lions and his selection presents the opportunity to play his way into contention for Saturday’s second Test against the Wallabies.
Blair Kinghorn has the chance to prove his fitness for the Melbourne Cricket Ground showdown after missing the series opener in Brisbane with a knee injury, lining up at full-back.
Alex Mitchell is set to continue his remarkable run of having played in every match on tour after being picked on the bench, where he is joined by Ben Earl and Marcus Smith, who are also backing up, having been involved in Saturday’s 27-19 win against Australia.
Garry Ringrose has recovered from the concussion that forced him to miss out at Suncorp Stadium to secure a replacement’s role for the final midweek game of the tour.
The Ireland star was favourite to start the Test series at outside centre until he suffered his head injury, resulting in Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu being paired together in their tried and tested all-Scotland combination.
There are three specialist opensides in the back row in Morgan, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock, each of whom has an outside chance of winning a place on the bench for the second Test.
Apart from Farrell and Osborne, there are seven further late additions to the squad involved in Darcy Graham, Ben White, Jamie George, Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Tom Clarkson and Gregor Brown.
First Nations & Pasifika XV: Muirhead; Reilly, Foketi, Feliuai, Daugunu; Beale, Thomas; Ieli, Paenga-Amosa, Tupou, Swain, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Gamble, Tualima
Replacements: Asiata, Pearce, Doge, Vocevoce, Leota, Goddard, Debreczeni, McLeod
British and Irish Lions: Kinghorn; Graham, Osborne, Farrell (capt), Van der Merwe; F Smith, White; Schoeman, George, Bealham, Ryan, Cummings, Morgan, Van der Flier, Pollock
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Clarkson, Brown, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Ringrose
