Wallabies desperate to bounce back against Lions in Sydney
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said it had been tough for his team to overcome last weekend's 29-26 MCG loss to the Lions, who clinched the game, and the series, with a controversial try in the final minute to fullback Hugo Keenan.
The Australians felt the try should have been disallowed following an incident in the build-up in which Wallabies replacement Carlo Tizzano seemed to be struck in the back of the neck by the Lions' Jac Morgan.
However, the try was allowed to stand, condemning Australia to a heartbreaking loss.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson (right) speaks to referee Andrea Piardi during Australia's 29-26 loss at the MCG. Picture:'It probably has been one of the tougher weeks,' Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said on Friday.
'Everyone … on Monday had a bit of a quiet day because it does take a little bit to get over a tough loss like that.
'For us it was just about going back to our preparation. On Tuesday, I was really proud of the group about what sort of session we had.
'We went there, everyone was a bit quiet, but once we went across that white line, the energy was back.
'The boys quickly put (the loss) on the backburner and just wanted to focus on getting their preparation right.
'As the weeks goes on, we've really tried to build it internally because this is still such a massive match (on Saturday night).'
Wilson felt the Wallabies deserved more than to be trailing the three-Test series 2-0.
'It's not the best situation,' he said.
'I do feel like it has been a tight series and we want to go out there … we want to get the win.
'The support we've been given this week has been pretty unbelievable, and we really feel like we need to go out there and put a performance in for Australia to be proud.'
Wallabies halfback Nic White will retire from Test rugby after Saturday night's match against the Lions. Picture: AP Photo/Rick Rycroft
The Wallabies have the added incentive of ensuring retiring halfback Nic White finishes his Test career on the high of victory.
White, 35, didn't feature in the first two Tests of the series but will start in the No.9 jersey at Accor Stadium.
'He's the ultimate competitor, the ultimate team man,' Wilson said of the Western Force half.
'He does whatever it takes for the team in every session and every match.
'Once he goes across that white line, he's a different man. He's a competitor and the group loves him.
'He will be missed in this gold jersey because he really does represent what it is to be a Wallaby.'
Marco Monteverde
Sports reporter
Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world.
@marcothejourno
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