Joe Schmidt has strengthened the Wallabies forward line with Will Skelton and Rob Valetini returning, while David Porecki takes over as starting hooker. The backline remains the same as last week, somewhat unexpectedly given Jake Gordon’s underwhelming performance at scrum-half.
For the British & Irish Lions, Andy Farrell has made three changes, introducing Bundee Aki, Ollie Chessum, and Andrew Porter into the starting XV. They replace the injured Sione Tuipulotu and Joe McCarthy, as well as Ellis Genge, who moves to the bench. Owen Farrell returns as a test Lion, albeit among the substitutes, alongside Jac Morgan, Blair Kinghorn, and James Ryan.
Australia
Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c)
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson
British & Irish Lions
Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (c), Ollie Chessum, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Blair Kinghorn
The British & Irish Lions represent a unique tradition in rugby—one that defies the modern era’s focus on efficiency and commercialism. The idea of uniting players from different nations to compete against the best should not have endured after professionalism took hold in the mid-1990s. Yet it persists, carried forward by history, the passion of supporters, and the players’ own appreciation for its significance.
Unlike in the past, when Lions teams faced daunting odds on tours with hastily assembled squads, the challenge remains tough but not impossible. Ahead of tonight’s second test, the question is whether Australia can create enough drama to keep the series alive. For much of the first test, a straightforward victory for the visitors seemed likely—until a late rally from the Wallabies provided a spark.
Can they turn that flicker into a performance strong enough to level the series and reignite the contest?
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