George Gregan backs Ardie Savea 'clone' to keep the Lions series alive

Wallaby legend George Gregan is backing Joe Schmidt’s players to keep the British and Irish Lions series alive by “ writing their names in the history books” in Melbourne on Saturday.

Defeat at the MCG would give the Lions an unassailable 2-0 lead after their triumph in Brisbane, where weaknesses and inexperience in the home side were clinically exposed until the Wallabies staged a late fight back as they lost 27-19.

However, the 139-cap World Cup winner is taking heart from the return of No.8 Rob Valetini, who the former captain believes can deliver the kind of game-changing performance Ardie Savea produces for the All Blacks to win the breakdown and gainline battles.

Gregan said: “It’s probably the biggest game in this country for the Wallabies for a very long time. Rob fights for metres after contact, and like Ardie Savea, you don’t tackle him and he drops, he keeps going. Rob will have a big impact in the contact area.”

Gregan, who was a key player in the 2-1 series win over the 2001 Lions, knows what it takes to come back from a first Test defeat in Brisbane, having endured that body blow in a match made famous by Brian O’Driscoll’s brilliant solo try. However, in the second Test in Melbourne the Wallabies rebounded from that 29-13 loss with 35-14 victory, and then took the final Test and the series with a 29-23 win in Sydney.

He said: “You know heading into the second Test that you have to front up or the series is done. As a player these are the moments and games you want to be part of, showing some grit and character and turning things around. To be able take the series to Sydney, as a Wallaby you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else this week in Melbourne.

“For Australian rugby union it doesn’t get any bigger than this and it’s a chance to put everything on the line. Rugby league has just finished their State of Origin and everyone wants to have a game three decider, but that is up to the Wallaby players.

“Yes there will be a lot of noise around the squad and there will be changes, but this group has a chance to write themselves in the history books and this a wonderful opportunity.

“There is never any magic science or magic sword, and if you lose the gainline battle the game becomes more difficult. It’s hard to attack, your playmakers have less time on the ball and you are really under pressure.

“The picture the referee is seeing is one that has you looking like you are on the back foot rather than the front foot. It means the rub of the green goes your way because you are better and more accurate.

“The breakdown is huge and this was always going to be the most important battle in this series. When the Lions get that quick ball you can see what they can do, They get numbers, play with width and score points quickly. Rob Valetini and Will Skelton will really help in that battle on Saturday.”

The Wallabies opted to start the first Test with rookie Tom Lynagh and Jake Gordon at half-back, but their best moments came with try-scorer Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson in those roles.

Gregan added: “The breakdown was hard and so the half-backs were struggling to find rhythm in that first 40-50 mins with most of the play in the Wallaby half.

“Tate always lifts things, playing with a lot of energy and is dangerous around the ruck and provides a different picture to what Jake does. The Wallabies started to get gainline parity and some quality ball they could play off.”

Unlike the current Wallabies team, Howden tour ambassador Gregan was part of a vastly experienced 2001 squad that had won the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the Tri-Nations series and Bledisloe Cup.

The pressure is on Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt to give his team the tools to dismantle the Lions machine and the return to fitness of key forwards Valetini and the massive Skelton could be crucial.

Gregan said: “We had an experienced squad and were very consistent in how we approached and reviewed every match.

“When we had a loss were very honest with ourselves in the review and identified a couple of key areas that let us down quite badly in the first 2001 test against quality players. If you give quality players an inch then they take a mile, and this is exactly what they did in Brisbane.

“Like any team, we played really well when we got quick ball on the front foot and then the opposition loses those metres in contact.

“We were also a team that liked to play with ball in hand for extended periods. We had a very experienced group that was up for that task. The great thing about a three-match series is that you get to rectify a loss within seven days.

“I am confident the Wallabies can fix up the key areas and the breakdown will be huge. First up tackling is important and then winning that crazy contact area. It’s about adapting to the referee’s interpretation or else you will struggle.

“My heart says the Wallabies for this second Test, and what I saw in that final quarter was promising because that is the way to make the Lions feel a bit uncomfortable and not find their rhythm.

“Then it comes down to who executes in the big moments and I hope that is the Wallabies. I will be there in my gold Wallaby jersey.”