Beale picks out Lions’ ‘danger man’ Russell as biggest threat to Australia

Kurtley Beale sees Finn Russell as the British and Irish Lions’ biggest threat to the Wallabies before the tourists facing Western Force on Saturday. Photograph: Colin Murty/AFP/Getty Images

The former Wallabies back Kurtley Beale has singled out Finn Russell as the biggest threat to Australia’s prospects of victory against the visiting British & Irish Lions. Beale, a leading figure in the 2013 Lions series, has also warned his compatriots to brace themselves for a “juggernaut” of a rugby experience when the tour kicks off this Saturday.

Beale’s infamous slip as he went to kick a potential match-clinching penalty in the first Test in Brisbane had a key bearing on the outcome 12 years ago. And the 36-year-old now believes Russell holds the key to the forthcoming series.