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Brumbies lock Sam Carter was still two months away from being born when his father David took on the British and Irish Lions in 1989.
A back-rower of five Tests, David had only recently been dropped from the Wallabies and was “bashing up against” the Lions on behalf of NSW Country, going down 72-13.
Exactly 12 years later, David took his 11-year-old son to the third Test between the Lions and the Wallabies in Sydney.
It’s a Test Sam will never forget.
With two minutes left on the clock, Brumbies lock and Wallabies debutant Justin Harrison stole a Lions’ lineout from just 10 metres out to secure the series win.
“It was the most amazing thing, especially with the atmosphere, with all the British and Irish Lions supporters out there. It was incredible,” Sam said.
Now, another 12 years later, Sam will get his own opportunity to face the world’s most-distinguished representative rugby side when the Brumbies host the Lions at Canberra Stadium on Tuesday night.
It’s something Sam says he could never have predicted as an 11-year-old.
“At that age, you never give much thought to that. Obviously you want to play rugby and then you admire the people you’re watching,” he said.
“To get the opportunity to play them 12 years later is a real honour.”
The Brumbies will be seeking revenge for their 30-28 injury-time loss to the Lions in 2001 – a game Harrison was also instrumental in.
And while both his father David and Harrison had reputations for being aggressive, confrontational players, it’s less Sam’s style – opting instead for a more hard-working approach.
He does however acknowledge that the Brumbies are the Lions’ last game before the Test series opener against the Wallabies on June 22.
“Hopefully we can soften them up, or run them around a little bit, so they are a little bit exhausted for that first match,” he said.
“I don’t do much niggling. But, I guess – no, probably not.
“We’re just focusing on what we need to do to play the best we can.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.