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OK, here we go. The one scenario we as Wallabies fans hoped for, but perhaps weren’t supremely confident about coming into the series.
After two classic Test Match rugby fixtures, it all comes down to this. The decider.
There can be no dispute that this is the biggest game of rugby in Australia in 10 years. And it’s a nice reference back to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, too, because that was probably the last time that rugby was, dare I say it, ‘cool’ in this country.
Suddenly, rugby is the hottest ticket in town again. After a gradual buildup from when the British and Irish Lions first arrived in Perth a month ago, the hype will reach its crescendo at 8:05pm on Saturday night.
The last available tickets – mostly one-offs – were snapped on Monday morning. EBay and the classifieds have been doing a roaring trade since then. The Olympic Park precinct in and around ANZ Stadium in Sydney is all set for what shapes as an all-day event. Things will start happening there from 10 o’clock on Saturday morning. I hope I can get a park on arrival at lunchtime…
Both sides have been named, and once again, no-one has thought of the keyboards and web servers. Many, many, bloody thousands of words and comments and essays have been written on why each side is either bang on the money, or completely hopeless. Both coaches have been simultaneously lauded for laying it all on the line for a decider, or denigrated as being stark, raving mad.
Certainly, the major talking point for the Lions has been the omission of legendary Irish centre, Brian O’Driscoll. Once Sam Warburton was ruled out of the decider, most assumed that O’Driscoll would assume the captaincy, an honour many thought he should have had from the outset. Instead he’ll be wearing a suit.
For the Wallabies, it’s all about the second-coming of George Smith. With all the to-ing and fro-ing and paperwork lodged, and clearances granted just to make him eligible for selection, it always felt like he would play some part in this series if he was fit. Now he’s set to return from a 6-8 week injury well ahead of time, and add one more Test to his already extraordinary record.
I made the comment earlier in the week that in many ways, it’s a shame that Smith and O’Driscoll, both of whom came of age in the 2001 series, won’t get to face off one last time. Each decision could define the respective coaching careers of Warren Gatland and Robbie Deans.
I don’t know about you guys, but I am absolutely pumped for this Test. Actually, I do know about you guys, you’re all pumped in your own way too, and that’s fantastic. It will be the biggest game I’ve witnessed live in my life and I genuinely can’t wait to head up to Sydney in the morning.
I did mention I’m going, didn’t I? Sorry, I’ve been doing that a bit this week. It’s the excitement.
Anyway, I’m equally excited for our last Q&;A session of the Tour, from 10:30 this morning. Start getting your questions through now. The Brisbane and Melbourne sessions both went down really well, and thanks for everyone’s involvement so far.
You don’t need me to start things off, so I’ll just leave you with the two teams. You all know what the ins and outs are by now.
The teams line-up this way for the decider in Sydney:
Australia: Kurtley Beale; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Ben Mowen; James Horwill, Kane Douglas; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Jesse Mogg.
British and Irish Lions: Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Jonny Sexton, Mike Phillips; Toby Faletau, Sean O’Brien, Dan Lydiate; Geoff Parling, Alun Wyn Jones; Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero. Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Justin Tipuric, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi.
Looking forward to the discussion from 10:30am AEST.