“Just typical of the Lions”: Wallabies assistant Laurie Fisher’s playful dig at fickle tourists

It’s no wonder Laurie Fisher recalls the event as if it happened yesterday.

The esteemed ‘Lord’ of Australian rugby, distinguished by his long, white hair cascading from beneath his reliable bucket hat, is also a qualified lion tamer.

As an assistant coach for the Wallabies, Fisher relished the opportunity to reminisce about that chilly night in Canberra when his cherished Brumbies triumphed over the top British and Irish players.

The final score read ACT 14, Lions 12 – marking the Brumbies’ historic victory over the touring Lions on Australian soil for the first time in over 40 years.

That evening, Fisher served as the forwards coach for Jake White, embodying both the spirit and energy of the team.

“It was a tremendous evening at Canberra Stadium,” recalled the 67-year-old when approached by Wide World of Sports to reflect on his experiences.

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“I remember telling the boys, ‘they’ve got 20-30,000 supporters (on tour in Australia).’ But how many fancy a mid-winter trip to Canberra?

“While every other game is packed, in Canberra you’re left with only the dedicated fans. The rest of the crowd? They’re off enjoying holidays at Bondi Beach or in Byron Bay.

“They’re there for the midweek break. So I told the boys, ‘that’s the Lions for you.’ The tourists might not want to come to Canberra but they’ll catch up with them on the weekend instead.”

“So I saw that as a small boost.”

The Brumbies excelled in disrupting the Lions’ lineout, boasting a host of talented jumpers in Sam Carter, Leon Power, Scott Fardy, and Peter Kimlin.

“We believed we could apply significant pressure on Rory Best and their lineout, and he had a challenging night. The impact on a senior player like that reverberates through the entire team.

“I sensed they were under strain… the boys were remarkable.”

Fisher anticipated enjoying a pint or two of Guinness with the Lions fans during the tour but jokingly mentioned his disappointment at not having spotted any of the sponsor’s beverage yet.

He felt privileged to be part of guiding Australia through such an illustrious tournament.

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“We want this to be a celebration of rugby,” he stated.

“It carries significant history – it’s been a while since we’ve won a series. So we must immerse ourselves in this opportunity, no matter the role; it’s a fantastic time to enjoy it.”

Fisher’s focus lies in solidifying Australia’s defence and mastering their breakdown skills against top-tier rivals.

He’s joined by former captain Will Skelton, renowned for his impressive size.

“Will is now a highly experienced player, boasting victories in Heineken Cups and Champions Cups,” Fisher noted.

“He naturally assumes a leadership role. He instills considerable confidence in those around him and demonstrates his quality on the field, as evidenced in Europe.”

“He’s not Nick Frost, hence we won’t utilise him much in the lineout. We need to leverage Will’s strengths, especially in both attacking and defensive mauls.

“Reflect on the Test against Wales last year – we scored two tries from mauls. Much of that stemmed from his contributions, with others following his lead.”

Fisher expressed his admiration for up-and-coming Wallabies hooker Billy Pollard.

The 23-year-old showcases a potential akin to Malcolm Marx on the field and is advancing in the less flashy aspects of the game.

“He really excelled during his Super Rugby season with the Brumbies,” Fisher remarked.

“Crucially, Bill has honed his set-piece skills this year.

“His scrummaging has improved tremendously over the last year. He’s now a key component of our scrum weighing in around 115kg. He’s incredibly powerful.

“We’ve witnessed his effectiveness in the mauling game this year. He’s got speed, whether closing in on a defender or carrying the ball. It would be great to see him play consistent Test rugby before we label him the complete package… but I have been really impressed with his Super Rugby season.”

Fisher also noted that lock Darcy Swain is very much in contention for selection after making a comeback following a two-year hiatus.

Swain will compete for the Western Force against the Lions in Perth on Saturday evening before linking up with the Test squad to prepare for the July 6 encounter against Fiji in Newcastle.

“He has displayed greater discipline,” Fisher observed.

“He still has areas for improvement, but he has notably avoided being a penalty liability this season.

“Many would argue that he’s the top lineout caller in Australia… and he possesses a toughness that’s commendable.

“You take some knocks, get pushed back occasionally, and he has responded well. He’s essentially been out of action for nearly two years.

“Returning required a significant family decision (moving from Canberra to Perth), and I admire him for that and his resilience in transitioning.”

Meanwhile, Ben Donaldson has stepped in for Kurtley Beale in the Force lineup after the veteran sustained a hamstring injury during training.

Donaldson flew from Sydney to Perth on Thursday and will assume the fullback role at Optus Stadium.

New Zealander Alex Harford will don the No. 10 jersey.

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ollie Hoskins, Sam Carter, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nic White (c), Alex Harford, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Matt Proctor, Mac Grealy, Ben Donaldson

Reserves: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle