Wallabies vs Lions LIVE: Australia in must-win Test to keep series alive at a packed MCG
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6.58pm
A roar across Melbourne
By Tom Decent
I can officially report Melbourne has Lions fever.
I have been at a watering hole around the corner from the MCG and the atmosphere is unbelievable.
I have covered rugby in about 10 countries and am struggling to recall such a great vibe before a Test.
The walk to the ground is a sea of red with a bit of gold.
No rain at the moment, which was contrary to the forecast.
'Lions, Lions, Lions' chants popping off everywhere. 90,000 plus at the MCG expected.
Imagine a Wallabies win. It would be massive.
6.57pm
How the Lions are lining up
This Lions team has got a major Irish feel to it with nine Irish players in the starting lineup, which would have been ten if centre Garry Ringrose hadn't selflessly reported concussion symptoms.
Another Irishman misses out, with second-rower Joe McCarthy injured, with Ollie Chessum coming in to partner captain Maro Itoje.
Like Schmidt, coach Andy Farrell has gone for a 6/2 split, trusting his son Owen to provide cover at 10 and 12, with Scotland's Blair Kinghorn able to play at fullback and wing with ease.
In the first Test, the halves Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park dictated the game with ease. Let's see if they can replicate it at the MCG.
6.49pm
Who have you got tonight?
6.49pm
How the Wallabies are lining up
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has resisted the urge to tinker with his backline which remains unchanged from the first Test in Brisbane.
The pack is a different story. David Porecki comes in at hooker and Billy Pollard stays on the bench, with the Reds' Matt Faessler out of the squad.
The Wallabies faithful will be delighted to see the combined muscle of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton to help them break the Lions' stubborn and organised defence.
The Wallabies have gone for a 6/2 bench, to prepare for the wetter conditions in Melbourne, with Langi Gleeson and Angus Bell both providing ball carrying strength off the bench.
6.48pm
Good evening rugby fans
Good evening everyone to the second Test and quite possibly the biggest game of rugby the Wallabies have played in a decade.
It's Jonathan Drennan taking you through tonight's action, helped by a talented backline outside me ready to fire.
We have Roy Ward, who did an excellent piece on the state of rugby union in Victoria this week, alongside Tom 'diamonds' Decent and Iain 'the North Shore express' Payten. All three gents are in the MCG with the 90,000 fans expected in the iconic venue.
Last week, the Wallabies were brutally outmuscled by the Lions, but staggered back into the game late, before losing by eight points.
Many of the overseas press was deeply impressed with Australia and as ever, the Wallabies need to find a big performance to silence the detractors.
It's a huge ask to level the series, but not impossible it happened right here in Melbourne for the Wallabies in 2001 and 2013.
Kickoff is set for 8pm AEST and you can watch all the action on Nine and Stan Sport who also own this masthead.
But please also follow along as we bring you the main moments and reactions pre and post game.
We're in the hometown of Pete Samu and Rob Valetini, the stage is perfectly set, let's get into this.
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