The power of Owen Farrell is something to behold. When the cameras panned to him at the Allianz on Saturday, the entire crowd reacted, some with pantomime booing, others with cheering. The one thing they weren’t was indifferent.
Farrell, who arrived in Sydney on Friday, took it well, smiling and laughing. The guy is pure box office. We’re all still talking about why he’s been parachuted into this squad. The coach’s son, yes, fine, we get it. But what else is going on here?
Some observers say that this was always going to happen and that Farrell will definitely be in the Test 23 for Brisbane. They’re convinced of it. The intrigue is fantastic.
His father’s official explanation in midweek is that he felt his squad was a little short at inside centre with Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki the only options. Terrific ones, in fairness.
Is there more to it? Does he have doubts about Fin Smith’s readiness to back up Finn Russell on the bench? Does he have issues around the leadership of the squad – is everyone too nice and/or too quiet?
If those are views he shares, then Saturday might have only reinforced them. Smith struggled in running the backline and the direction of the team was all over the place for most of the evening.
So, enter Faz Jnr, but when? Not on Wednesday against the Brumbies, says his father. He might still be getting over the jet-lag.
Next Saturday in Adelaide against the invitational Australia-New Zealand team? All things being equal, definitely.
What about after that? If you believe that Owen can step into a Lions Test match squad (covering 10 and maybe 12) after not playing in nine weeks, having not played particularly well before that and having not featured in an international game for 20 months, then you’re convinced that he can return to his best stuff at the mere sight of the red jersey, as if the last year doesn’t matter.
Maybe he can. And maybe he will be given the chance for a fairytale tour, but the stakes are monstrously high. Smith’s struggles made Owen’s elevation a bit more likely. But will he be any good?
