Lions ignoring the noise ahead of Wallabies Test

eNCA

18-07-2025

BRISBANE - British and Irish Lions assistant coach Johnny Sexton said his team was taking no notice of bookmakers who have the visitors overwhelming favourites to win the opening Test against the Wallabies.
The teams play the first match of the three-Test series at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, with Australia widely considered the underdogs.
The last time they met, in Brisbane in 2013, the Lions edged home 23-21 when Australia's Kurtley Beale slipped while attempting what would have been a match-winning penalty.
The Wallabies this time have been hit by injuries to star forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, but Sexton stressed the Lions would not be taking them lightly.
"We don't pay too much attention to bookies' odds or what people are saying," Sexton said.
"We are just concentrating on tomorrow and trying to put a great performance out there because that's what is going to be needed -- a great performance, not a good performance."
The former Irish fly-half made his Lions debut in Brisbane in 2013, playing all three Tests as the Lions claimed the series 2-1.
"I think the atmosphere, the crowds, that's the thing that always lives with you," he said.
"Obviously, when Kurtley missed the kick the euphoria we felt shows the margins of professional sport, of top-level sport.
"It's going to come down to something small like that and hopefully we come out on the right side."
Australia will give 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh his starting debut on Saturday, but Sexton said he was sure the Australian would cope with the pressure.
"He's not had much experience internationally, a few games off the bench," Sexton said.
"But it seems like he's got a really steady head on him and is a mature guy for his age.
"We've looked at a lot of him this week. Once Noah Lolesio was ruled out we knew it would be either him or Ben Donaldson and we've done our homework on them.