Latest news with #RobValetini

Wallabies bring back Valetini, Skelton for must-win Lions Test at MCG

The Australian

13 hours ago

Sport
The Australian

Wallabies bring back Valetini, Skelton for must-win Lions Test at MCG

The Wallabies have declared they won't submit to the British & Irish Lions' physicality as they did in the first Test, and are embracing the pressure of having to win Saturday's match in Melbourne to keep the series alive. Desperate coach Joe Schmidt has recalled powerhouses Rob Valetini and Will Skelton into his starting side for the second Test, injecting the two big boppers weighing a combined 252kg in a bid to turn the tables on the Lions. 'We didn't have the intention last week, and we don't have the intention this week, of being submissive, I just think that they played on the edge really well,' Schmidt said. 'They got in amongst us, sometimes just beside us, which made it very hard to play. We're hopeful that we will be able to take that to them this week and keep them on the back foot a little bit more.' Australian fullback Tom Wright said while they're relishing the pressure to go 1-all with victory at the MCG in front of a crowd estimated to exceed 90,000 fans, they're not viewing the must-win game as a backs to the wall situation. 'All the pressure is obviously on us, that was the way you phrased that question then, and we are embracing that,' Wright said. 'Preparation for the week's been rock solid, as it has been for most of the week since I've been back in this environment with Joe, and we're not letting the external hype get the better of us. 'If we start thinking about do-or-die or backs-to-the-wall, to use your term, I think external added pressure that's probably unnecessary. Are we trying to win the game last week? Absolutely. 'Are we trying to win the same game that we're trying to play this week? For sure. Next week, are we going to try and do the same thing? Absolutely. But are we thinking that far in advance? Probably not, no. Tom Wright in action during the First Test against the British & Irish Lions. Picture:'So I know speaking for the playing group and the way that we prepare ourselves, even without the coaching staff pointing us in the right direction, that's the mentality that we're taking is like, do we want to be more aggressive and throw more punches in this game? Absolutely. 'But it's not because our backs-to-the-wall, it's just because that's how we want to play.' The addition of Valetini and Skelton, both returning from calf injuries, has led Schmidt to name a 6-2 split on the bench, with Langi Gleeson being added as backrower cover alongside Carlo Tizzano, while Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson are the only back-ups to an unchanged starting backline from Brisbane. Hooker Matt Faessler and flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny have been dropped from the squad that lost 27-19 in Brisbane, and Andrew Kellaway drops off the bench, while Jeremy Williams moves to bench to accommodate Skelton's arrival. Rob Valetini will return from injury for the second Lions Test. Picture: Getty Valetini, the two-time John Eales medallist, can be a game-changer for the Wallabies if he plays his best. 'Everyone in the rugby circles knows what Bobby brings in particular,' Wright said. 'And then the other big fella, bigger fella that comes back for us, Will. His resume speaks for itself, a really calm head, won multiple things in the northern hemisphere. Obviously a large, larger than most frame, so we're pumped to have Will and Bobby back for sure.' Schmidt says the dynamic duo will lift the confidence of the team. 'I did think that Nick Champion de Crespigny acquitted himself incredibly well in a furnace last week making his Test debut, but the experience that Bobby brings in, and he probably brings confidence to other players as well, because of his experience and his ability to take the ball forward,' Schmidt said. Will Skelton is another huge inclusion for the Wallabies. Picture: AFP 'One of the key things with Will is he's a very calm influence. He's a big man, he's big hearted as well. Hopefully not on Saturday, but his experience and his history of being involved in successful teams, particularly with La Rochelle in Europe, I think it just gives other players confidence. 'We've got a group of players who haven't won too much in recent times, whether it's in Super Rugby or whether it's internationally. I think building confidence is an incremental thing. You've got to get small wins here and there.' Schmidt has kept Tom Lynagh and Jake Gordon as his starting halves. AUSSIE-BORN LIONS HERO RULED OUT OF SECOND TEST - Julian Linden Australian-born centre Sione Tuipulotu has been cruelly dropped from the British & Irish Lions' team to face the Wallabies in Saturday's second Test showdown at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, killing his dream of a fairytale return to the city where he was born and raised. It is a devastating setback for the powerful midfielder, who gave up on his first goal of playing for the Wallabies after he was unable to break into the team, then moved to the other side of the world to play for Scotland, where his grandmother was born. Tuipulotu has since established himself as genuine international star who scored the opening try for the Lions in last week's first Test victory over Australia in Brisbane after he was picked to start at inside centre. But he's been left off the Lions' 23-man squad altogether for game two. Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the second Test with a hamstring injury. Picture: Getty The Lions' head coach Andy Farrell said Tuipulotu had a slight hamstring strain that made it difficult to pick him so he opted instead for Ireland's New Zealand-born midfielder Bundee Aki. 'When you've got a little bit of a tight hamstring, it influences how you're possibly going to go, so we made the call to go with Bundee,' Farrell said. '100 per cent (Tuipulotu) is absolutely gutted. He also knows that that's rugby, fairytales are not always written. 'Sione is a team man anyway. And it's the same with anyone who's missed out. Every single one of them has been rowing forward by putting the team first.' Farrell, who also coaches the Ireland national team, originally picked an all-Irish midfield of Aki and Garry Ringrose for this weekend, but had to make a last-minute change when Ringrose withdrew after sustaining a head knock in training. Farrell said it was a selfless act by Ringrose to notify the team about how he was feeling when he could have kept quiet and played regardless. 'With these type of things, players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel,' Farrell said. 'It's very easy to keep it to yourself and lie and not be honest and open. It was very big of him and the right thing to do, 100 per cent. For the team as well, not just for Garry.' Huw Jones is back in the starting line-up for the Lions. With Ringrose suddenly unavailable, Farrell recalled Scotland's Huw Jones to start at outside centre. Jones and Tuipulotu regularly play together at Glasgow Warriors and Scotland and started alongside each other in the first Test victory. But instead of sticking with the proven combination, Farrell brought in Aki, one of nine Irishmen in his starting lineup for Saturday. Farrell also selected his own son Owen, who plays for England, as one of the reserves, even though he was not picked in the original squad. As well as bringing in Aki, Ollie Chessum will start at lock after Joe McCarthy was ruled out with a foot injury while Andrew Porter was picked at loosehead prop ahead of Ellis Genge. In all, the Lions made seven changes to the side that won the first Test 27-19, three in the starting lineup and four on the bench. Knowing they can clinch the series with a game to spare if they win in Melbourne, Farrell said the Lions were hoping to create history but also bracing for a backlash from the Wallabies. Aware that the Wallabies had recalled Rob Valetini and Will Skelton and named six substitute forwards on the Australian bench, he said it was inevitable that the match would be a torrid, physical encounter. 'It is what it says on the tin. It's obvious what they're going to bring and why they're selected,' Farrell said. 'I suppose they're delighted with that and the 6-2 bench just backs that up a little bit, doesn't it? So it's not unexpected.' The Lions' towering captain Maro Itoje said he was looking forward to the battle up front, especially with the return of the giant Skelton, the biggest player on either side. 'I've played a few good years with Will, played against him a few times as well and he's a fantastic player,' Itoje said. 'He's a talisman for any side he plays in, he adds a sense of dynamism, size, power to the team. 'I'm delighted for him that he's able to play. I know he was hoping that he would get an opportunity. And it's something that we're excited about too.'

Three moments that secured Maro Itoje's Lions immortality

Telegraph

20 hours ago

Sport
Telegraph

Three moments that secured Maro Itoje's Lions immortality

British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje delivered a performance for the ages as the tourists secured a famous series win. Telegraph Sport breaks down three crucial moments on a defining day for Itoje. 63 minutes – Conan tackle and Itoje turnover Langi Gleeson carries past Bundee Aki only to be felled by a desperate tackle from Jack Conan, allowing Itoje to swoop and secure a turnover Until the final quarter, Itoje had not been enjoying his finest hour as a player. He had conceded two penalties in a first half that was dominated by the physical presence of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, who seemed to especially enjoy ruffling the plumage of his one-time Saracens team-mate. It was understandable that Itoje's influence would start to wane. This was his 33rd game, all starts, of a gruelling season that will run to 12 successive months if he starts next week. For the second successive season, English rugby's most prized asset has sailed past the governing body's own game-time limits, now downgraded out of pitiful shame to guidelines. While Itoje joked at the start of the tour about having 'no wrinkles' such a workload is bound to have an effect. Last summer he clearly ran out of steam at the end of England's pair of Tests against New Zealand. Similarly, Itoje looked completely gassed in the final 10 minutes of the first Test victory against Australia. That result, however, was never truly in the balance whereas at the MCG the Lions had been trailing since the fourth minute – at one stage by 18 points – which was going to require one last final push from Itoje. And in those critical final 20 minutes, Itoje duly played lights-out rugby. The Lions won two turnovers in the final quarter, both by Itoje – first on the isolated Gleeson and then at a maul with eight minutes to go. That proved a huge momentum shift, coming straight after Will Stuart had conceded a penalty inside the Australian 22 for taking an extra roll allowing the Wallabies to kick to touch. Australia 's maul was already beginning to fragment allowing Itoje to come through the middle to sack the ball-carrier. It prompted a huge roar of celebration from Andy Farrell in the coaching box. That Itoje was awarded the man-of-the-match honours afterwards owed entirely to his efforts in this final quarter when his fuel light was blinking furiously. 78 mins – Itoje calls line-out to himself The Lions are still trailing 26-24 and have a line-out just inside their half. Itoje calls the line-out to himself and claims the ball just in front of Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams In a few years' time, this will seem like the inevitable crowning of Itoje as this generation's 'Lions king' and only the second successful English Lions captain in the postwar era after Martin Johnson. Farrell was gushing with praise in the post-match press conference. 'Cool, calm and collected, 100 per cent,' Farrell said. 'I thought he was outstanding in his captaincy today. He was across the game. As the game started to unfold in front of us, he was calm.' Yet there was nothing pre-ordained about Itoje's coronation. In all likelihood, Caelan Doris would have been the Lions captain but for the Ireland No 8's shoulder injury. As early as January this year, Itoje had never captained an international team until England head coach Steve Borthwick decided to unceremoniously depose Jamie George. Eddie Jones famously opined that his star player was too introspective to be a captain. There are many forms of leadership. By his own admission, Itoje 'leads by actions'. As footage in the changing room before the first Test shows, Itoje was happy to delegate the emotional tone-setting to Ellis Genge, the England prop. Churchillian speeches are not Itoje's style. He does not swear. He does not tub thump. How Itoje leads is by taking responsibility on his own shoulders. With the series on the line in the final 10 minutes, Itoje calls the final two Lions line-outs to himself. Australia knew exactly where the ball was going and challenged him both times. Ronan Kelleher's throws were on the money on each occasion but Itoje still needed to claim each catch under ferocious pressure. One misjudgment and it is highly probable Australia are 1-1 in the series. This can happen to the very best. In the final minutes of the third Test of the 2001 series, Johnson called a line-out to himself only to have Justin Harrison pinch it from his grasp. Itoje ensured there would be no Wallaby robbery II. 80 mins – Itoje cuts Wilson's protests short Hugo Keenan crosses for the winning try but Australia captain Harry Wilson immediately appeals to referee Andrea Piardi for an illegal clear out by Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano in the previous phase. Itoje immediately interrupts Wilson's protests and after both captains are ushered away the officials agree that no infringement has taken place This was not quite on a par with Sam Warburton's Jedi mind-trick on Romain Poite in the 2017 series against the All Blacks, when the French referee reversed his penalty decision in virtually the last play of the third Test, but Farrell seemed to have no doubt that Itoje's influence at least had an influence in ensuring Piardi stuck with his on-field decision. 'He understood what was needed and how we communicated with the referee,' Farrell said. 'The flow of the game, he was absolutely spot on. If you listen back to the messaging that was on the referee's mic in time, you'll realise just what a class act he was.' Earlier in the tour, Itoje was asked what his approach was to dealing with referees, which he says he tailors to each individual referee. 'It's slightly different depending on the refs,' Itoje said. 'You have to make an assessment. Some refs are more amenable to communication than others and you have to take a read. You have to choose your moments.' With Piardi that meant approaching the Italian at every possible opportunity. Skelton sparked an early fracas after a cheap shot on Tadhg Furlong which sparked a furious response from Itoje. This was quickly re-enacted after Dan Sheehan's opening try to which Piardi tried to calm both captains down. Itoje, though, slyly tried to shift the blame. 'Yes sir, yes sir. But sir, he started it,' to which Wilson incredulously replied: 'Don't be a schoolkid.' On 65 minutes, Itoje was again in Piardi's grill after Tizzano had won a turnover inches from the Australia's try-line. Although his protests fell on deaf ears, Ronan O'Gara on the Sky commentary voiced his approval for Itoje 'asking all the right questions'. It is difficult to listen to an uninterrupted feed of the final, fateful exchange with Piardi, although Itoje definitely succeeds in cutting short Wilson's protests. When asked about what he said to Piardi afterwards, Itoje said: 'I don't really know to be honest. It was fine. Naturally, their captain was trying to get his point across and, in my view, argue for something that didn't happen. I guess I was just arguing for something that did happen.' Whatever influence his intervention did or did not have, the officials ruled in the visitors' favour, confirming the series win and putting Itoje on that narrow pedestal of successful Lions' captains. Player of the Match and Lions captain Maro Itoje gives his immediate reaction to an epic comeback win at the MCG! 😍🗣️ — Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 26, 2025

Three ways the Wallabies can fight back after first Test defeat to Lions

Yahoo

2 days ago

Sport
Yahoo

Three ways the Wallabies can fight back after first Test defeat to Lions

For 42 minutes in Brisbane, it was the stuff of Wallabies nightmares. Australia rugby may have begun this British and Irish Lions series as home underdogs but few expected them to be so comprehensively outplayed in a first Test that felt must-win, Joe Schmidt's side unable to land a punch as they were forced back repeatedly against the ropes, the knockout blow seemingly imminent. It never quite arrived – and Australia deserve credit for ducking and weaving just enough to be able to land some late blows of their own. Defeat on points was never in doubt but Schmidt will take some confidence into next week's rematch, when the return of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini may up the hosts' punching power. 'I think that this time last year, I think we probably would have melted, but I love the way this team is developing," Schmidt said afterwards, taking the positives. "I felt like we fought our way back into the game. I felt if we could get within one score, then you never know what can happen. "We weren't far away. I think the team grew into the game. I think they did show a desperation to defend our line and to be in as many of the contests for position as they could be. Clearly, though, there is plenty to do. A gap in talent and Test experience evident pre-kick off looked a chasm at times as the Lions powered into their advantage, but the improvements after the interval do give Schmidt something on which to build. What areas should the Australia head coach be targeting? Here are three ways Australia can get back in the series. Pump up the power game The significance of both Valetini and Skelton being absent was clear from minute one in Brisbane. It felt like it took 50 minutes for Australia to win a gainline collision, preventing them from being able to settle into shape or stem the flow of red shirts through them. While it may have been that the latter may only have been on the bench with Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams a solid starting lock pairing, Schmidt will be desperate to get both back amongst things at the MCG. Rob Valetini could bolster Australia in the second Test (Getty Images) Skelton did not appear to be moving particularly well at Australia's captain's run on Friday but Australia are optimistic that both will be available for the second Test, and they will consider other changes, too. The scrum was a positive for the hosts on Saturday, with James Slipper rock solid on the loosehead side, but the veteran may still drop out – the prop's days as an explosive option with the ball are long behind him as a tally of a single carry shows, and the temptation to start Angus Bell, who bullocked off the bench, will be strong. Get Suaalii involved There has perhaps been unfair expectation placed on Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii ahead of this series, the golden boy carrying the hopes of the rugby union public after Australia paid a pretty penny to lure him over from league. It is easy to forget that the centre is only 21, and with just a single Super Rugby Pacific season under his belt – these are still formative days in a career that the Wallabies will hope extends for another decade at least. And yet it was hard not to feel unfulfilled by Suaalii's usage in the opening encounter of the series given how he dazzled on debut against England at Twickenham. The centre was seldom seen in space as the Lions effectively cut off corners, and a combination of Tadhg Beirne's sharp restart work and Hugo Keenan's astute backfield marshalling prevented him causing chaos in the air. Too often the decoy, a clattering carry in the passage that led to his overturned try did show a glimpse of his threat. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was quiet in the first Test (Getty Images) Could Australia get more creative in getting Suaalii involved? The 21-year-old played mostly full-back for the Waratahs in his inaugural Super Rugby season and with another week to prepare, it may be that Schmidt finds ways of varying his alignment and usage. Better support Lynagh Tom Lynagh's performance was typical of a 10 on their first international start – some good, some bad, growing in stature as he settled in on what was undoubtedly a slightly daunting night even for a player whose quiet confidence has been talked up by the Wallabies. His display was perhaps summed up by the sequence where he took a clattering from Tom Curry in the air and then missed touch with the resultant penalty. Tom Lynagh mixed good with bad in his first international start (Getty Images) The fly half showed his toughness in standing up to the Lions runners who came down his channel but looked desperately short of support at times, too often taking the ball in retreat and without simple front-line runners to win the gainline to then enable him to imprint shape. His father Michael had sent Lynagh a message ahead of kick off urging him to keep things simple and not overplay his hand, sound advice made tougher by Australia's forward inferiority. It is notable, too, that there isn't necessarily a natural second play-maker in the Wallabies backline – Tom Wright endured a quiet night by his standards. Tate McDermott flashed off the bench and may partner his Reds teammate in the halves next week; Nic White may also be an option if Schmidt wants a bit more big-game experience in his side, and a figure to help match the Lions in a kicking contest that the tourists had the better of. Lynagh, though, will surely be backed and hope to improve 36 years on from his father featuring in the 1989 series. 'This has always been something I wanted to do: follow in Dad's footsteps,' I'm sort of living the dream now. I take a lot of confidence from the second half we had. We got in the right areas pf the field and we got a bit of pay out of it. There's a lot we can learn from this game and take into next week.'

'Glorious Lions needed this battle to reveal another side of themselves'

BBC News

3 days ago

Sport
BBC News

'Glorious Lions needed this battle to reveal another side of themselves'

At last. Drama, intrigue, aggravation, edge. A Test match that will live on long after the rest of this 2025 tour is forgotten.A brilliant performance from the Wallabies, who so many thought had nothing left to offer. A fightback from the Lions that showed that their grit is every bit as strong as the class they showed in pockets along the simply, wow!"Wow!" at the searing aggression that the Wallabies showed in establishing a 23-5 lead that shook the ground under our feet in front of a 90,000-strong crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground."Wow!" at the way the Lions picked themselves off the floor - and, boy, were they on the floor - with those salvation tries at the end of the first half from Tom Curry and Huw Jones. It had been a stunning first half, a six-try epic that gave you a crick in your neck such was the flow from one end to the were these Wallabies last week? Well, they did not have Rob Valetini last week, nor they did not have Will Skelton. Both were belligerent, taking the fight to the Lions, forcing the tourists on to the back foot, making them concede yard upon yard and penalty upon misery for Australia was that Valetini, having been injured for weeks, could only deliver 40 breathless minutes and more disappointment came in the loss early in the second half of the towering Lions, this tour we have waited and waited for them to be tested, waited and waited for them to see the whites of an opponent's it happened. When they had backs to the wall, they came out swinging. From 23-5 down, they won the rest of the game 24-3, the mark of worthy champions. We have bemoaned the lack of drama on this trip, but it was all saved up for the MCG, layers and layers of it, even to the last 26-24 late on, the Lions piled forward. Every Lions supporter must have been expecting a drop goal or a milked penalty, a three-pointer to win the where was Finn Russell? Not in the pocket. Russell does not do drop goals. Never has. Where was Owen Farrell? On the pitch, but not in position to be the went for the try and Hugo Keenan got it. Of course there was the heartstopper of the television match official and the examination of Jac Morgan's clearout earlier in the move. Nothing in it. Correct decision, try. Victory. so the overview must be written, but not in a way we thought we would be writing it. We were poised to talk about another straightforward Lions win and another letdown from the have now become only the second Lions squad in 28 years to go 2-0 up in a series, and only the third in 51 the Wallabies not turned up as they did, there was a danger of us never finding out what these Lions were truly made of. Without a test of their soul and their spirit, how could we know? Without having to drive through adversity, how could we judge their mental strength? 'Context amid the Lions euphoria' Even now, there is a bit of an issue there. Australia, fortunate to be considered the world's sixth-best team, played above themselves in Melbourne. They found something, but only after a desperately passive first Test and a monstering by their rugby are the real Wallabies? It is still hard to know, but they were outstanding here and have something to build on in the near future. They will all kick themselves that they let the first Test pass them fact is that the Wallabies have now lost nine of their past 13 games. Context here amid the Lions euphoria. Compare where Australia are right now to where South Africa were four years ago (world champions) when the Lions played them or where New Zealand were (world champions) on the 2017 tour or even where Australia were in 2013 (world number three and soon-to-be World Cup finalists) when the Lions previously visited these Africa were world champions when the Lions went there in 2009, New Zealand were world number one in 2005 and Australia were world champions in 2001 when they beat the Lions in a deciding Test. 'You would bet the house on 3-0 to the Lions now' Australia have much work to do. The Lions? It is all about revelling in the biggest victory many of them have ever achieved - and then going on to Sydney to make it 3-0.A few among their number talked about 3-0 before they ever made it 1-0. They talked about being remembered as one of the greatest Lions sides. They will not be, of course, but they have done the job and deserve to be saluted.A shot at winning three Tests in a row for the first time since 1974? You would bet the house on them got the bearpit battle that we have longed to see for a month and the Lions victory will be remembered more fondly because of it. Two processions would not have put them in the pantheon. They showed their worth tour overall has had none of the controversy and edge of so many that have gone before - and it has been relatively flat because of it. The MCG changed that tour was just too nice until Skelton and Valetini started noising up the Lions and bringing their enormous physicality to proceedings. In the recent past we have had verbal wars of attrition, allegations of refereeing incompetence, accusations of foul play and internal insurrection. This time it has been a month of players and coaches tickling each other's tummies. The arrival of Farrell was as edgy as it got. So, no repeat of Warren Gatland and Rassie Erasmus tearing strips off each other in 2021, no war of words like Gatland and Steve Hansen going at it in 2017, no citing like James Horwill, the Wallabies' captain, in 2013 or Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger in outrage. No 'speargate' like the incident that took out Brian O'Driscoll in 2005, no newspaper columns like those of Matt Dawson and Austin Healey that electrified things in 2001, no disgrace like the stamp from an Mpumlanga bruiser that ended the tour of the great Doddie Weir in do not want half of that stuff, of course, but when it comes it changes the mood, it engages and enrages people, it gets folk out of their comfort zone, it makes things more unpredictable and more exciting, it gives the tour talking points and a beating heart. We got a glimpse at the MCG. A beautiful verbal grenades have been thrown at Andy Farrell's boys up until Saturday. The Australian public have been polite in a way that the Kiwis and the South Africans would never be. Schmidt and Farrell, old pals from their days together with Ireland, have not said a word out of place. More the fudge than the was a passion and a thunder in that gargantuan crowd, though. A stirring which became an explosion as James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright hit the Lions with three tries in mere minutes and put them on their Lions got off the canvas and won. Steel when they needed it, nerve at the end. It was deeply impressive. 'Thrilling and coronary-inducing - exactly as it should be' With the series now done and the prospect of a 3-0 clean sweep on the cards in Sydney on Saturday, the debate about Australia's place on the Lions' rota may reignite if the Lions do go on and make it they be dropped? Should carrots be dangled in front of the French clubs to see if they want to join the rota, maybe as a replacement for Australia or even in addition to Australia?The poor state of Wallaby rugby, Saturday's emotional response apart, is only one section of this. The other part is commerce. Follow the money, as they say. The cities and stadiums in Australia are extraordinary in scale and number and the fans love coming here. As ever, the red army has travelled in Lions played in front of just over 90,000 at the MCG on Saturday, the biggest crowd they have ever performed in front of. The second-biggest was in 1955 in Johannesburg. The third and fourth biggest were in Sydney in 2001 and fans - and ex-pats - get behind a Lions tour of Australia and it does not seem to bother them unduly that they are watching a succession of easy wins. It is not like Australia have suddenly become average. They were average when Lions fans hoovered up travel packages at huge expense. They were coming, regardless of the competitiveness of the 2017 tour of New Zealand had an average crowd of 34,327 across 10 games. The last (normal, as in no Covid) tour of South Africa was in 2009 and it had an average crowd of 34,793. Even before the masses descended on the MCG, this tour was averaging 40,364 per it another way - when a great New Zealand team took the Lions to the cleaners in 2005, the combined attendance for the first two Tests was less than the total number at the MCG. Australia has the stadium capacity to go larger and make more revenue than any other tour. As long as that is the case, the Lions will always come here. It's the economy, it is 2-0 to the Lions, as we expected in one sense, but not at all what we expected in and coronary-inducing - exactly as it should be.

Australia vs British & Irish Lions LIVE SCORE: Wallabies running riot to shock tourists at the MCG

The Sun