'We know what is coming'published at 16:14 BST 25 July
16:14 BST 25 July
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Wilson captained the Wallabies for the first time in September 2024 and, after a delay in confirmation from head coach Joe Schmidt, took leadership of the team for the Lions series
Australia captain Harry Wilson says his team will be better for the experience of their first Test defeat in Brisbane when they face the British and Irish Lions again in Melbourne on Saturday.
"For a lot of us, it was our first time ever playing the British and Irish Lions and there was a lot of unknown, whereas this week we know what's coming," he said.
The Wallabies' defeat in the series opener means they must win to keep the contest alive. However, Wilson believes that the pressure cuts both ways.
"I'd say there's pressure on both teams," he added.
"They want to wrap up the series and we want to keep the series alive. There's no doubting there's a lot on the line for both teams.
"We want to impose ourselves physically. We want to back our skills and we want to go out there and start fast."
🎧 Can Lions seal series or will Wallabies force decider?published at 12:00 BST 25 July
12:00 BST 25 July
A new episode of the Rugby Union Weekly podcast is available now on BBC Sounds.
Can Australia bounce back at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground to level the Test series on Saturday? Or will the Lions clinch a second successive series down under?
With nine Irishmen in Andy Farrell's team, BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones gets the Irish perspective on the second Test with Murray Kinsella from The 42.
Lions assistant coach John Fogarty speaks about the significance of playing at Australia's most iconic sporting venue and what legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson said to the players when handing them with their jerseys.
Nick Stiles, one of the winning Wallabies from the 2001 Lions series, gives his view on Australian rugby and how he would make them competitive again.
'Desperate Wallabies muscle up'published at 09:39 BST 25 July
09:39 BST 25 July
Image source, Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph in Australia focuses on the Wallabies' "big boppers" returning for the second Test against the British and Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Lock Will Skelton and flanker Rob Valetini are back in Joe Schmidt's starting XV after missing the first Test, bringing some much-needed power.
Number eight Pete Samu, a 'big bopper' in his own right, has also spoken out after being prevented from appearing for the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old, who won the Champions Cup with French club Bordeaux in May and has 33 caps for Australia, was initially named in the squad of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage.
However, he was removed after it was determined that he did not meet the eligibility criteria, which require players to have played for a Super Rugby Pacific team in 2025.
"I was quite confused and just disappointed because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was being played in my home state," Samu said.
"Obviously, not being able to represent my Samoan side was quite sad."
Johnson's message to series-seeking Lionspublished at 07:19 BST 25 July
07:19 BST 25 July
Chris Jones Rugby union Correspondent in Melbourne
Media caption,
What a stage, what a game it's going to be - Fogarty
Lions assistant coach John Fogarty was in good form earlier at the MCG as the players and management soaked up the surroundings of one of the most famous stadiums in world sport.
"What a stage, and what a game it's going to be," Fogarty said.
"It is so cool to be in the middle of it. There is a feel to the stadium, and an expectation. What a privilege just to be here.
"It is a massive game for them, but a massive game for us."
Fogarty also revealed legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson - skipper in South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001 - has been in to camp to speak to the squad and present jerseys.
"He has a really nice presence to him, and he spoke about the small margins in the biggest games," Fogarty said.
"He talked about the mentality, but for this group and for him as a player that wasn't an issue.
"It was more about compounding errors and these are the things you need to make sure you are on top of during a match.
"Again, what a privilege to have him come in and hand some jerseys out."
Classic Wallabies win the battle of the old-timerspublished at 14:51 BST 24 July
14:51 BST 24 July
Image source, Getty
Image caption,
Tindall earned 75 England caps before his retirement from rugby in 2014
The hair might be thinner, the waistlines may be thicker, but the competitive spirit still sparked bright when the Classic Wallabies and British and Irish Legends met in a match at Melbourne's AAMI Park on Thursday.
Mike Tindall, who never won selection for the Lions, but played against them off the bench for the Barbarians in a 2013 tour warm-up, played for the tourists.
Alongside him were the likes of former Lions Alex Cuthbert, Shane Williams, Andy Powell and Tommy Seymour.
Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell were among those turning out in green and gold.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Giteau crossed for a try in a high-scoring exhibition, laid on in advance of Saturday's second Test in Melbourne
The Classic Wallabies ran out 41-31 winners, but the highlight of the match probably didn't figure on the scoreboard.
Mitchell pulling a hamstring, to the delight of the watching Kurtley Beale, and then downing a pint garnered most online interest in the aftermath.
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'It shows the person he is' - Porter praises Ringrosepublished at 11:21 BST 24 July
11:21 BST 24 July
Nigel Ringland BBC Sport Senior Journalist in Melbourne
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Andrew Porter replaces Ellis Genge in the Lions Test starting line-up
Like everyone else, Andrew Porter was shocked to hear the news that Garry Ringrose had unselfishly withdrawn himself from the Lions team for Saturday’s second Test against Australia.
The Leinster centre told head coach Andy Farrell at the end of Thursday’s training session that he was experiencing concussion symptoms.
Ringrose first suffered the symptoms in the game against the Brumbies in Canberra two weeks ago and they caused him to miss the first Test.
He returned against the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday, but has now been replaced in the team by Huw Jones.
"I actually only heard that before coming here (to speak to the media) that he actually withdrawn himself and that he wasn't pulled aside by a coach," said Porter.
"It's incredibly disappointing for Garry but it just goes to show the character and the player that he is to pull himself aside.
"I think that's an incredibly hard thing to do - and given the magnitude of the game - but it's testament to the player and person he is to be able to put the team first.
"In that sense if he's not right, he's not right and he's looking to let someone who's fit and able to come into the squad and do the job."
Porter has replaced England‘s Ellis Genge and is one of nine Irish internationals in the starting line-up, a new record for a Lions Test match. He will pack down in the front row with fellow Irish and Leinster team-mates Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.
"Obviously there's that comfort level to be able to pack down with two of your club and countrymen," said Porter.
"They've obviously had an incredible tour individually and it's great being able to come and start alongside them in this huge game in the MCG, so it’s incredibly exciting."
Porter can’t wait to step out in front of what is expected to be a crowd in excess of 90,000 but knows with the return of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, the Australians could be a different animal to the one the Lions beat a week ago in Brisbane.
"It was an incredibly physical game last week but I think it's going to be another step up again in terms of physicality," he added.
"They’re going with a 6-2 split on the bench as well and with Skelton and Valetini, who are great ball carriers and incredibly experienced players, we're obviously gearing up for an incredibly physical game and as forwards you're always looking forward to those close quarter confrontations.
"We’re looking to continue on from the work we did last week. We obviously had a great first half and just a few errors maybe in the second half let them build a bit of pressure that let them into the game.
"We're just looking for that complete performance as a team and I think we've been building on that for the last few weeks. That performance is overdue and I think it's due to come on Saturday."
Centre switch on the cards?published at 00:56 BST 24 July
00:56 BST 24 July
Chris Jones Rugby union Correspondent in Melbourne
It's Thursday morning here in Melbourne and news of the Lions second Test team is starting to trickle out.
The team will train this morning before the squad is confirmed at lunchtime in Australia (overnight UK) but I'm hearing Andy Farrell is pondering a sensational selection call at centre.
With Garry Ringrose back fit, Farrell is considering dropping the Scotland pair of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones for the Irish duo of Bundee Aki and Ringrose.
It has felt throughout this tour that the centres came as a pair, and Ringrose was always a strong contender to come into the 23 once recovered from concussion.
But it would be brutally harsh on Jones and especially Tuipulotu. Both played well in Brisbane, especially Tuipulotu, while Aki's cameo off the bench was a bit scruffy. The team will be confirmed after this morning's training session in the Melbourne suburbs.
Elsewhere the makeup of the bench is very interesting, with Owen Farrell and Blair Kinghorn both expected to be involved, while James Ryan is also pushing for a place in the squad.