Feel-Good Friday: Glowing Loo Roll, Breathing Exercises, and Parties in Miami
Published: 20 Jun 2025
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If that headline didn't pull you in, I don't know what did, but welcome to this week's Feel Good Friday! Each week, we share a bunch of exciting and interesting stuff in the hopes that you can find something fun to do on your weekends or just to entertain you.
Well, this week we've got a bit of both in store: with Who Gives a Crap's newest toilet paper innovation, One Playground's efforts to help everyone relax a bit, and PlayStation's efforts to help us all understand our continuously changing climate. So sit back, put your feet up, and dive into this week's Feel-Good Friday.
CommBank Becomes Largest Football Supporter in Australian History | Image: CommBank
The World Game just got a massive boost Down Under. CommBank and Football Australia have announced a ground-breaking investment in Australia's most played team sport, with the financial institution to become Football Australia's major sponsor at all levels for the next six years. The move makes CommBank the largest supporter of football in Australia's history, marking a renewed focus on team activity and the Green and Gold.
In addition to the existing sponsorship of the CommBank Matildas, the 2024 IFCPF Women's World Cup Champions the ParaMatildas, and the Pararoos, CommBank will become the naming rights partner of the Socceroos, and the Emerging Matildas and Emerging Socceroos Championships. It comes after a stellar run of success for the CommBank Matildas, the country's premier female football team, which is helping to drive new levels of participation in women's sport.
Since the beginning of the partnership in 2021, women's and girls' football participation has increased by 27 per cent, and CommBank Matildas game attendance is up more than 100 per cent, including a run of 17 sold-out matches in a row from 2023 to 2024. Through CommBank's Growing Football Fund, over 230 grassroots clubs and associations have received grants of up to $5000 to support initiatives and programs.
According to CommBank CEO, Matt Comyn, the investment will place an emphasis on keeping young people engaged in the sport from grassroots to elite level. As he revealed, the partner's commitment is to support all Australians, regardless of age, gender, ability, or location, in participating in the most played team sport in the country.
'With the Socceroos facing the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and the CommBank Matildas preparing for the Australian-hosted AFC Women's Asia Cup, there has never been a more exciting time to be a fan of football in Australia,' Comyn said.
'When we partnered with Football Australia as naming rights sponsors of the CommBank Matildas, they were about to embark on a history-making international campaign, and what an incredible amount they've achieved for Australian football and women's sport since 2021. This six-year extension, combined with our previous four years, will result in a 10-year partnership. We hope this long-term commitment will help drive positive and lasting change for the game, players and communities.'
Sullivans Cove Winter Archive | Image: Supplied
Sullivans Cove Unlocks Museum Archive
For the first time, Australian whisky icon Sullivans Cove is opening the doors to its archives. To mark the beginning of Dark Mofo and the start of the winter months, the Tasmanian distillery is unveiling a rare selection of archival bottlings that will be on display, with select bottlings available to purchase directly from the distillery's private collection.
As one of the most awarded distilleries in the country, not to mention the world, Sullivans Cove's archive is something to behold. As part of the activation, guests will have the opportunity to taste or purchase a tightly curated selection of historical bottlings, including:
HH0351 American Oak Single Cask (16YO) – World's Best Single Cask Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards 2018
– World's Best Single Cask Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards 2018 25th Anniversary 21YO – A vatting of four 'lost casks' from 1997, Australia's Best Single Malt 2020
– A vatting of four 'lost casks' from 1997, Australia's Best Single Malt 2020 Millennium Gold – A collector's gem, originally released to commemorate Y2K and the Sydney 2000 Olympics
– A collector's gem, originally released to commemorate Y2K and the Sydney 2000 Olympics Double Cask DC0100 – A 2019 release marking Sullivans Cove's 25th anniversary and 100th Double Cask batch
Coinciding with Tasmania's Dark Mofo period, the Sullivans Cove Winter Archive transforms the award-winning distillery's private tasting room into an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime retail encounter. For collectors, whisky aficionados, and festival-goers alike, this is an unprecedented chance to explore Sullivans Cove's rich history – and take a piece of it home.
Align Breathwork's Chris Sulfa | Image: Supplied
One Playground hosting 'Inhale | Exhale' Workshop for Mental Wellness
It's Men's Mental Health Month, and while we're doing a bit of our own reporting to spread the word, we're not the only ones. Fitness experts One Playground are holding a guided three-hour breath-work workshop at its Surry Hills wellness centre, Urban Oasis, to offer a more supportive environment for anyone to learn self-reflection, healthy emotional release, and nervous system regulation.
Set on the 28 June, 2025, between 10.30am and 1.30pm, the event doubles up as a fundraiser, with half of proceeds going directly to MensLine Australia: a 24/7 free professional counselling service that aims to help man across Australia deal with mental health concerns, suicidal thoughts, and relationship breakdowns.
If you're wondering who will be leading the workshop, One Playground is partnering with Sydney-based Align Breathwork, and master breathwork facilitator and founder Chris Sulfa will be bringing his science-informed approach to lead the guided exercise.
'Social norms around masculinity can be incredibly harmful, especially when they discourage men from acknowledging when they're not okay or reaching out for help,' Sulfa said. 'This workshop is about breaking that cycle.'
Image: Supplied
Young Henry's 'Best Served Loud' Heads to the Miami of QLD
If you're a fan of beer and live music, you're probably well aware of Sydney's iconic inner west brewer Young Henry's 'Best Served Loud' events, wherein the beer brand props up a local venue, brings together a crowd, and plops some amazing musicians in the middle to keep everyone having a good time. Well, now we know where the next one is headed.
On 5 July, Queensland's Miami Marketta will play host to a curated line up of fantastic artists: Sydney's three-piece hip-hop heroes Shady Nasty, the Gold Coast's own indie outfit Girl and Girl, pub-pop production The Beefs, and Northern Rivers' The Cauliflowers. Also, as expected, Young Henry's drinks will be on special.
If you're keen on a night out with some great local music, and cheap beer, Best Served Loud is one of the easiest ways to get there—and if you're a Miami local you have no excuse.
First public showing of Climate Station at London Zoo | Image: Supplied
PlayStation launches 'Climate Station' on PS5, PSVR
As part of Sony's Road to Zero plan, as well as its work in the Playing for the Planet Alliance, PlayStation has launched a digital experience which aims to help younger generations understand the wealth of information on the impact of climate change on our world.
The 'Climate Station' experience, which can be downloaded for free on PlayStation 5, and which supports the console's virtual reality headset, PSVR2, allows users to engage with the incredibly complex data of our changing climate, as well as follow the story of how things have shifted.
It includes 120 years' worth of climate data sourced from many of the world's leading meteorological experts, such as NASA, NOAA, and the WCRP, an 'explainer library', featuring 90 minutes of engaging explanations to help users understand that data, as well as projections on where things are heading.
'Bringing climate awareness into the homes of millions through gaming will help build both knowledge and action to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste,' said Susan Gardner, director of the ecosystems division at the United Nations Environment Programme.
'The approach to adapt the science into a game format has been impressive.'
It's not only for home use, though. Climate Station has actually been created so that it can also be used in research and education environments as well, so as to help the next generation of scientists and climate researchers understand the frankly overwhelming amount of data.
Who Gives A Crap's 'Dream Range' | Image: Supplied
Glow in the Dark Toilet Paper? Who gives a crap
Our soft and cheeky friends at Who Gives a Crap have been working hard at transforming the classic toilet paper roll into something truly illuminating: it glows in the dark now. Well, the wrapping paper does.
Working with Indonesian artist Martcellia Liunic, Who Gives a Crap have redesigned its loo paper rolls to provide a bit of sunshine to your night-time bathroom escapades. No more excuses for missing the bowl, boys.
If that wasn't already cool enough, these limited edition rolls, called the 'Dream Edition', are charged by sunlight – so you'll want to set them up by a window for a bit after unpacking them to activate their true potential. And one final reason to pick them up, 50 per cent of the profits go to charities focused on providing clean water and toilets for everyone, which is definitely a mission we can get behind (get it? Behind? I'll see myself out).
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The Advertiser
42 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Fiji have midfield missile aimed at Wallabies' Suaalii
Playing more than 160 VFL games before taking on roles with the Wallabies, All Blacks and now coach of Fiji, Mick Byrne has seen some talented athletes in his time. But the memory of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sticks in his mind as Byrne plots a way to shut down the Wallabies superstar in Sunday's Test in Newcastle. He recalled meeting Suaalii when he was an assistant to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, with the schoolboy making an immediate impression on the pair. "I remember when 'Cheik' and I first met him when I was at the Wallabies and a young schoolboy came in, before he signed with rugby league, and we knew then that he was a tremendous athlete," Byrne said of the NRL recruit, who will line up for his fourth Test. "I think he offers a dimension to the game that not many athletes can .... it's a bit like Izzy (Israel Folau) in his day as well, that aerial skill set as well as being really well balanced across the ground. "Like a lot of international players we come up against, we've got to keep our eye on him, but I think as a player he just offers another sort of dimension, being that aerial skill set that we'll have to be aware of as well." Byrne named a strong line-up to try to contain Suaalii and the Wallabies, who are looking to make amends after losing their last clash against Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Byrne has since replaced Simon Raiwalui as coach, but has been able to include 13 players who were part of that historic match in France, posting their first win over Australia in 69 years. That includes the entire forward pack apart from flanker Elia Canakaivata. Fiji have their own midfield weapon in Josua Tuisova, who was key to their success in Saint Etienne, with Byrne looking to get some punch from the inside centre. Weighing 113kg, Tuisova's nicknames are "Human Bulldozer" and "The Bus". "Josh shifts the ball well and he's got great feet and he's a big, strong player," Byrne said of Tuisova, who plays for Racing 92 in France's Top 14. "We've got the opportunity to use him to get across the gain line early ...so being able to have Josh there is awesome for us because he does give us pretty good go-forward." While the World Cup win has bolstered belief, Byrne said the changes to the Wallabies since then presented a different challenge as his team looked to notch a third win in Australia, with the last in 1954. "The last start was two years ago, so different coaching regime, different players on the field, and I like the way (Australia coach Joe Schmidt) has got the Wallabies playing and now they're playing great footy," Byrne said. "So they're a completely different proposition to previous and we've got to be ready for that as they've got threats across the field. "I think it'd be great to beat Australia in Australia, to get a victory on Australian soil." Playing more than 160 VFL games before taking on roles with the Wallabies, All Blacks and now coach of Fiji, Mick Byrne has seen some talented athletes in his time. But the memory of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sticks in his mind as Byrne plots a way to shut down the Wallabies superstar in Sunday's Test in Newcastle. He recalled meeting Suaalii when he was an assistant to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, with the schoolboy making an immediate impression on the pair. "I remember when 'Cheik' and I first met him when I was at the Wallabies and a young schoolboy came in, before he signed with rugby league, and we knew then that he was a tremendous athlete," Byrne said of the NRL recruit, who will line up for his fourth Test. "I think he offers a dimension to the game that not many athletes can .... it's a bit like Izzy (Israel Folau) in his day as well, that aerial skill set as well as being really well balanced across the ground. "Like a lot of international players we come up against, we've got to keep our eye on him, but I think as a player he just offers another sort of dimension, being that aerial skill set that we'll have to be aware of as well." Byrne named a strong line-up to try to contain Suaalii and the Wallabies, who are looking to make amends after losing their last clash against Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Byrne has since replaced Simon Raiwalui as coach, but has been able to include 13 players who were part of that historic match in France, posting their first win over Australia in 69 years. That includes the entire forward pack apart from flanker Elia Canakaivata. Fiji have their own midfield weapon in Josua Tuisova, who was key to their success in Saint Etienne, with Byrne looking to get some punch from the inside centre. Weighing 113kg, Tuisova's nicknames are "Human Bulldozer" and "The Bus". "Josh shifts the ball well and he's got great feet and he's a big, strong player," Byrne said of Tuisova, who plays for Racing 92 in France's Top 14. "We've got the opportunity to use him to get across the gain line early ...so being able to have Josh there is awesome for us because he does give us pretty good go-forward." While the World Cup win has bolstered belief, Byrne said the changes to the Wallabies since then presented a different challenge as his team looked to notch a third win in Australia, with the last in 1954. "The last start was two years ago, so different coaching regime, different players on the field, and I like the way (Australia coach Joe Schmidt) has got the Wallabies playing and now they're playing great footy," Byrne said. "So they're a completely different proposition to previous and we've got to be ready for that as they've got threats across the field. "I think it'd be great to beat Australia in Australia, to get a victory on Australian soil." Playing more than 160 VFL games before taking on roles with the Wallabies, All Blacks and now coach of Fiji, Mick Byrne has seen some talented athletes in his time. But the memory of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sticks in his mind as Byrne plots a way to shut down the Wallabies superstar in Sunday's Test in Newcastle. He recalled meeting Suaalii when he was an assistant to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, with the schoolboy making an immediate impression on the pair. "I remember when 'Cheik' and I first met him when I was at the Wallabies and a young schoolboy came in, before he signed with rugby league, and we knew then that he was a tremendous athlete," Byrne said of the NRL recruit, who will line up for his fourth Test. "I think he offers a dimension to the game that not many athletes can .... it's a bit like Izzy (Israel Folau) in his day as well, that aerial skill set as well as being really well balanced across the ground. "Like a lot of international players we come up against, we've got to keep our eye on him, but I think as a player he just offers another sort of dimension, being that aerial skill set that we'll have to be aware of as well." Byrne named a strong line-up to try to contain Suaalii and the Wallabies, who are looking to make amends after losing their last clash against Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Byrne has since replaced Simon Raiwalui as coach, but has been able to include 13 players who were part of that historic match in France, posting their first win over Australia in 69 years. That includes the entire forward pack apart from flanker Elia Canakaivata. Fiji have their own midfield weapon in Josua Tuisova, who was key to their success in Saint Etienne, with Byrne looking to get some punch from the inside centre. Weighing 113kg, Tuisova's nicknames are "Human Bulldozer" and "The Bus". "Josh shifts the ball well and he's got great feet and he's a big, strong player," Byrne said of Tuisova, who plays for Racing 92 in France's Top 14. "We've got the opportunity to use him to get across the gain line early ...so being able to have Josh there is awesome for us because he does give us pretty good go-forward." While the World Cup win has bolstered belief, Byrne said the changes to the Wallabies since then presented a different challenge as his team looked to notch a third win in Australia, with the last in 1954. "The last start was two years ago, so different coaching regime, different players on the field, and I like the way (Australia coach Joe Schmidt) has got the Wallabies playing and now they're playing great footy," Byrne said. "So they're a completely different proposition to previous and we've got to be ready for that as they've got threats across the field. "I think it'd be great to beat Australia in Australia, to get a victory on Australian soil."
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
OnlyFans Annie Knight: Is having sex with 583 men in six hours a public service or a dangerous dopamine trap?
OnlyFans stars are banking more in a week than most Aussies earn each year from performing extreme sexual acts, which they say simultaneously fulfils their wildest 'fantasies'. But experts have revealed the 'alarming race' to become young OnlyFans millionaires by performing increasingly shocking sex stunts for subscribers can have long-term consequences. Even super-successful Australian social media star Annie Knight recently had to 'up the ante' in order to cut through the saturated adult content market. Last month, she slept with 583 men in six hours to make content for her OnlyFans audience. Ms Knight told The Nightly that when she decided to host the Gold Coast gang-bang, she expected about 200 men to show up. Instead, almost 600 Aussie blokes — wearing joggers and gym clothes — lined up around the block for just 30 seconds of intimacy with the glamorous porn star. The tightly-orchestrated event, which a 'grateful' Ms Knight described as 'the best day of my life', tripled her income, which skyrocketed to more than $7 million a year. 'It was such an amazing experience. I had a lot of fun,' she said. 'It was definitely sexually arousing and satisfying. Obviously not every guy made me finish, but six guys did, which I think is pretty good considering they didn't have much time. 'It was my biggest fantasy but also great publicity and marketing. It really was a win win win.' Ms Knight calls these challenges, and her OnlyFans career, 'empowering'. 'I'm doing what I want to do with my body. I choose to do this. I'm going to earn money from it. I'm not being forced into it. I enjoy what I'm doing,' she said. 'It's been a lot of fun stepping into my sexuality and living out all these fantasies. It's my body and my choice, and I'm doing what I love. 'It makes me feel really special that so many people would show up to have an experience with me.' Ms Knight's rage-bait event followed similar stunts by other famous OnlyFans stars. In January, British porn star Bonnie Blue broke a world record when she slept with 1057 men in 12 hours. Last year, Lily Phillips, 23, filmed her 'fantasy' of having sex with 101 men in one day. These women represent a new breed of sex workers achieving fame and financial freedom by selling sexually explicit videos of themselves through OnlyFans. But experts have raised the alarm about the impacts these increasingly extreme challenges have on the performers, young women's perceptions of sex work and men's brains. Relationship counsellor Amanda Lambros said the 'sensational stunts', aimed at maximising attention and profit, are problematic 'in many ways'. 'While they're undeniably headline-grabbing, they also reflect an alarming race to the bottom in pursuit of virality and income,' she said. 'These challenges . . . commodify intimacy, often in ways that desensitise viewers and reduce human connection to a spectacle. 'It also distorts ideas around consent, boundaries and relational sex. 'When women's bodies become battlegrounds for attention economies, we're treading in dehumanising waters.' Ms Lambros — a therapist, author and academic — said these sex challenges formed part of a rapidly shifting sexual landscape in which ever-increasingly extreme sexual acts created an unsustainable 'dopamine trap'. 'What was once shocking becomes standard and creators are forced to escalate in order to stay relevant,' she said. 'That cycle is mentally and physically exhausting, and rarely sustainable. 'It also distorts reality in a major way. When men consume these stunts without context, they may develop unrealistic expectations of women's sexual availability, stamina, and enthusiasm.' And the medical, physical and psychological risks are real. 'Physically, repetitive or extreme sexual activity can lead to injury, infections, and trauma,' the popular PerthNow columnist said. 'Psychologically, the constant need to escalate for attention can feed anxiety, burnout, body dysmorphia, or dissociation. 'Not to mention the pressure of maintaining a hypersexual persona 24/7.' Ms Knight said she was conscious of, and tried to mitigate, the risks. 'If I was filming with 583 porn stars, I would say, yes, there's a large risk involved,' she said. 'But these guys weren't porn stars, so they didn't have huge dicks. 'The only time I really haven't made the guys get an STI test was for the challenge, but they all used condoms, of course. 'Thankfully I've been tested twice since then and everything's all good.' The Gold Coast sex worker also insists that her content is 'educational' and emphasises respect and consent. Ms Lambros said that despite this, the 'Instagram-ification of sex work' was filtered, lucrative-looking, and potentially misleading. 'It promises fast money, autonomy, and fame . . . but without showing the full cost,' she said. 'The top earners present a curated highlight reel. 'What's rarely shown is the emotional toll, safety risks, platform instability, or long-term financial planning.' Psychologist Shannon Webb, from The Banyans Healthcare in Brisbane, said the nature of these sex challenges means the women portrayed are often dehumanised by their viewers. 'Intimacy and sex are complex experiences, and pornography, particularly to this extreme, can desensitise people to what sex and intimacy means for them,' she said. 'As viewers become desensitised over time, there is demand for more extreme styles of porn content (putting) pressure on content creators … to do extreme acts they wouldn't ordinarily entertain.' Ms Webb, who treats clients with porn addiction at the luxury rehab clinic, said that in addition to the intensity of these challenges, OnlyFans creators were exposing themselves to the para-social relationships and the perceived intimacy their subscribers expect from them. 'OnlyFans not only makes pornography easily accessible but creates a personalised experience between creators and viewers, which can exist healthily but can easily be abused, resulting in unhealthy dependence and addiction,' she said. 'OnlyFans also promotes 'live' content viewing, which can encourage a greater sense of perceived intimacy, with followers believing they share a personal connection with their content creators.' Ms Knight admits subscribers expect constant attention and interaction. 'It's like a friendship as we do talk every day,' she said. 'I look at it more as if I'm providing them with company. 'A lot of these people work really high-powered jobs and don't have a lot of time to date, so I'm just kind of giving them that company and girlfriend experience.' Due to her fans' dependence, she cannot afford to disconnect. 'At the end of the day, a lot of the subs want to chat to you . . . and if you don't respond, they can often get quite offended, feel that you've ghosted them or ask 'what am I paying for?'' she said. 'So I think people will unsubscribe (if I take a break) and you're just not making as much money from doing video calls, sexting sessions and stuff like that.' The 28-year-old insists her success is 'definitely worth' the sacrifices but 'is not the easy way out'. 'You have to work really hard,' she said. 'I think you've just got to be 100 per cent sure that you want to do it (long-term) and that it's going to be worth it in the end.' Jenna Love, president of Scarlet Alliance, said the Australian Sex Workers Association supports 'sex workers to be able to work in whatever way best suits them' but cautions that most OnlyFans creators cannot survive on that income alone. 'Most OnlyFans content creators earn well under the poverty line,' she said. 'There are a number of big tech companies involved, taking a cut from OnlyFans creators, but the ability to have that level of flexibility and control over your own work is broadly a positive thing.' As for sex challenges, Ms Love rejects the outrage. 'I think most people are switched on enough to know that it's just a stunt and that is not the standard and not what's expected (from women),' she said. Ms Love said she hosted a 30-man gang bang for her 30th birthday which was work-related but also for her own pleasure. 'It was a bit of a stunt, but it was also something I really wanted to do. Sexually, that really appealed to me,' she said. 'I think what's missing from a lot of that conversation is that some people are into that, and that's OK.' For Ms Knight, there is no turning back, and she is now contemplating 'what to do next'. 'I would like to do, not necessarily a numbers challenge, but maybe a different angle, like single dads or virgins,' she said. 'Giving them the opportunity (to be with me) would be cool.' That almost makes it sound like a form of public service. 'Yes, that's exactly how I see it,' she quipped.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
‘A really sharp pain': Martin Johnson on the eternal regret of losing a Lions series
Martin Johnson captained teams to World Cup victories, Six Nations and Grand Slam titles, European Cup wins and multiple English league championships. The imposing English forward even led the British and Irish Lions to a series win in South Africa in 1997. But when he is walking the dog on a quiet afternoon, the memory that will often pop into his head is the one that got away: the 2001 Lions series in Australia. 'The number one regret in my career,' Johnson says. 'Because I always say in rugby, most of the time when you get beaten, you get beaten right? You come off the field and they've been better than you, and you know. And when you win it's because you've been better. 'In '01 they beat us ... but we had a chance you know? When you've got a chance to win a Lion series, you've got to take it. And we didn't.' Which is to say, Lions tours live long in the memory. Perhaps longest. Johnson will be back in Australia in coming weeks for another Lions tour, his first since retiring in 2005, after signing on as a pundit for Stan Sport. He is confident the Lions can get the job done but is wary of the breezy confidence in the UK and Ireland, where many have believed for a while the Lions will whitewash the Wallabies in the three-Test Test series. As with every Lions tour in Australia since 1989 - when the 12-year cycle began - Johnson believes the series will be a 2-1 result, and the Wallabies shouldn't be written off. 'I've spent a lot of my time in the last few weeks and months telling people in this country (England) do not underestimate playing in the Southern Hemisphere, in places like Australia, against very smart rugby players,' Johnson said. 'That sort of thought (of a whitewash) has been there and people just echo it, people who don't really know the detail; 'Oh we're going to do this and do that', and I'm going 'whoa whoa whoa' this is a Lion's tour.' Pain of 2001 Lions tour After being a shock pick to be a 27-year-old captain of the tour to South Africa in 1997, Johnson earned his spot in the Lions' pantheon by leading the team to a series victory. Four years later the Johnson-led Lions were on the cusp of a second series win, after winning the first Test in Brisbane and leading at halftime in the second Test in Melbourne. 'We're 40 minutes away from winning the series and it turned around, I've never been in a Test match that turned so much from first half to second half as that game,' Johnson said, of the Wallabies' rally from 11-6 down to win 35-14. 'Now you're in a dog fight in the last Test, and that game went to and fro, and we lost it.' The agony was embedded for Johnson, too, after Justin Harrison stole a lineout from his grasp in the dying minutes. 'We should have changed it (the lineout call),' Johnson says. 'I've never really watched that game through. But like any Test match, it's good and bad moments, and taking your opportunities.' Johnson returned to Sydney with England two years later and lifted the Rugby World Cup at the same venue, which helped ease the pain. But not erase it. 'It helps, but '01 still sits there. Your losses, they're more sharp, because it's a really sharp pain when you lose,' Johnson said. 'I was fortunate to win stuff as well. You have both sides and I always say, people say you won this you and won that and I say 'yeah but I lost them all, too'. I lost Lions series, Six Nations Tests, World Cup quarterfinals, European Cup finals … every game imaginable, I've lost. So we've had both sides of it and that's the great thing of sport isn't it. It makes the wins special.' Lessons for the Lions The 2001 tour was also one that helped shape the highly professional Lions machine that motors around the world every four years. After an almost semi-pro trip in 1997, Johnson says the subsequent tour of Australia - led by intense coach Graham Henry - was 'hectic', with barely a minute to spare, on or off the field. It contributed to a divided Lions squad. 'In 97 we were just dipping our toes in professionalism, by 2001 things had changed a heck of a lot, just in everything,' Johnson said. 'I remember 2001 distinctly ... just being there's no there's not a minute to do anything. We were having management meetings in airport departure lounges, because we were training, travelling, so much more than in 1997. We weren't used to handling it … it was all hectic and there was never time to catch your breath. Lots of lessons were learned.' The Wallabies threat Having played, and often beaten, the Wallabies during their 'golden era' at the turn of the century, Johnson has a hardwired respect for Australian rugby. 'People ask you what it's like to play against the All Blacks or the Springboks or the Wallabies, and if I give a national trait that carries through with Australian rugby, I always say they are very smart players,' Johnson says. 'In two ways; they're very, very good with their hands, and can all pass-catch. And with smart coaching, as well, they will negate their weaknesses and try and exploit yours better than any other team. In 2003 that wasn't a great Wallaby scrummage, as we know, and yet they nearly won a World Cup. That takes some smarts.' Johnson coached England for 2008-11 as well, and so can appreciate the Wallabies' upset victory at Twickenham in November last year. It re-affirmed his view of the Wallabies' traits: smart and skilled. 'The win at Twickenham you saw exactly that, didn't you?' Johnson said. 'When they had a chance to score tries, some very, very smart handling and bang they're scoring tries. 'So I've been constantly knocking back people's expectations of a comfortable (Lions) victory in Australia, because Lions tours are tough. They are hard.' Johnson said can see another decider unfolding in Sydney on August 2. 'I have picked 2-1,' Johnson said. 'I was talking with [Wallabies great] Michael Lynagh the other day, about when you're playing you'd take the ugliest Test series in history as long as you win it. But when you get a little bit older you, you're sort of like 'let's have a great series for everyone' you know? 'Something to remember and we can say 'wow we were privileged to be there in '25'.' Is Pollock the new Healey? Johnson laughs when you ask what the 2001 version of Martin Johnson would have made of flashy young English backrower Henry Pollock. The 20-year-old was picked for the Lions after an eye-catching season for Northampton, where he became fodder for countless headlines and social media posts via athletic tries and showmanship. More flowed after Pollock's impressive game against the Western Force, which featured a few try assists and a scuffle. 'It's easy to be a grumpy old man isn't it? He went to school fairly local to me here so my I've known about him coming through his school stuff, I've just been aware of him. No one has ever timed the Lions selection better than him,' Johnson said. 'I was doing an event on Saturday, and he became a big topic of discussion. [Former England forward] Ben Kay was there and he said 'look he's great, because he gets people talking about rugby', which is very true. 'He seems to be polarising but I saw some of the things he did against the Western Force and there was some real savvy rugby there. There's also going to be some mistakes and as he plays at the higher level, the intensity, he's going to find out about that. But I'm sure he's going to be able to adapt to it. It's just how quick.' Johnson said while it's easy to judge someone from afar, the only thing that counted was whether he was earning the respect of the Lions squad. He compared Pollock to his provocative former Leicester, England and Lions teammate Austin Healey, who was always a target of fury for rival fans. 'There's the perception of 'oh he's this and he's that',' Johnson said. 'Most of it, he wasn't really - he wouldn't have lasted as long in the teams he played with if he was not a good guy to play with. Loading 'You know that ACT midweek in '01, when we could have got beaten, who dragged the team back? He was one of the guys who dragged it back to win that game, and that matters. 'Henry Pollock, it'll be interesting because there's an expectation around him, that he might feel he has to live up to. But he's a young guy on a Lions tour, and there's plenty of experience around him.'
