The Wallabies and British and Irish Lions clash tonight in the third Test at ANZ Stadium in the deciding game of the 2013 series. Join us for live scores and commentary from 8.00pm AEST.
It’s been 12 years since we last saw a deciding match in a Lions series.
That final test match, played at Stadium Australia in Sydney, saw Rod McQueen’s Wallabies side defeat a Lions tam that had gone 1-0 up.
That Wallabies side is viewed by many to be the best ever, and had a full trophy case to justify that label.
Just over a decade later and the Wallabies side finds themselves back in Sydney in an uncannily similar position.
Granted, this side is yet to achieve a huge amount on the international stage, having been doing the old one step forward, two steps back routine ever since Robbie Deans took over the coaching role in 2008.
But what they have lacked in continuity and line breaks they have made up for in sheer determination and grit.
The great thing about this side is that they are young with an average squad age of just 26 years and with this youth comes great enthusiasm and the urge to impress at every opportunity.
Only one Australian player remains from the winning side in 2001, backrower George Smith, who has been recalled to face the Lions.
It is the opinion of many that his winning mindset and career experience could just be the straw that breaks the Lions’ back, and this is what Robbie Deans will be hoping for.
One player from the 2001 Lions tour also remains for the men in red, but he has been dropped to the confusion and anger of fans everywhere – Brian O’Driscoll will play no further part in the tour.
Sam Warburton, who has lead from the front for the tourists is also out, a troublesome hamstring meaning that mammoth second-rower Alun Wyn Jones will captain the Lions.
Wallabies fans have had their hopes boosted by the news that captain James Horwill has been cleared for a second time of any wrongdoing in the first Test.
The talismanic Queenslander will be as hungry as ever to lead his side to victory in the final Test and the series win.
These young Wallabies have a chance to silence a lot of people with a win here, as does coach Robbie Deans, whose job security would be greatly increased with a victory come Saturday.
Interestingly, the Wallabies have won just one of their last six Tests at ANZ Stadium, but hold a good record overall having lost just nine times in 31 Tests.
This is it, winner takes all. Will it be the confident Wallabies or the desperate Lions? Find out from 8.00pm AEST.
[roargal]
Nova
Guest
Bet he had a hard time swallowing all those words after Saturday night.
Nova
Guest
And when the wobblies continue to lose will you also blame the new coach? Tsk tsk
Mike
Guest
Suit yourself. I prefer to assess each game on its merits rather than deciding a priori about a player that "he never does that".
Mike
Guest
I wasn't referring to his try. I was referring to his play as a fly-half last night, which was actually quite good in a situation where no 10 does well. His positioning was good, he distributed near the advantage line when it was warranted, he passed long or short as the situation required, and the best point about his try is that he was up on the advantage line where he could make the decision about whether to pass or go himself, and he correctly assessed that the defence was expecting the pass and leaving the opening for him. In other words, what a fly half should do.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
He might have played his part as an individual but his job is to drive the entire team, he never does that.
roardog
Guest
good call cattledog would give us an awsome forward pack
cowcorner
Roar Pro
Agree---better team , better coached. Better to be beaten by a team scoring good tries than one kicking goals. I was really disappointed by the Wallabies --how many years do we need to be beaten in scrums before we change, how many of our backs tried to do it on their own or kick aimlessly? Sorry to moan--its only a bloody game after all - but we have the players to be Number 1 however they hardly ever threatened tonight! We had more ball but much less initiative and teamwork!
Nathan Mangu
Guest
What has happened to the great wallinies being cocky and cheeky was your strongest weapon ask George greggon Robbie deans what have you done to them. Number one All Black Fan
Mike
Guest
You appear to be describing a pass by JOC to Folau in the second test. A fair call, although he's hardly the first 10 to do that. But it dodesn't appear that you watched the game tonight.
Shungmao
Guest
Only time he ran straight, don't defend a poor performer. Catch pass , did even look ahead. Worst 10 ever bit one of the best 11's ever.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
O'Connor's a great player. He's not a 10. Deans has done him a diservice. That try was certainly good, but perhaps there may have been more if he was used out wider with a 10 capable of distributing near the advantage line, rather than 15 metres behind it.
GWS
Guest
:)
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Interesting to hear the Fox commentators tend to think that was Deans' last test. Could we be so lucky?
Shonky Donkey
Guest
At the moment I don't think an Aussie would make that team. Maybe Genia and Folau. Says a lot.
Mike
Guest
Some of the dismissive comments below about O'Connor are bizarre. Tonight he was one of the better Wallabies on the field - not that any of the Wallabies will have fond memories of this one. Outstanding effort from the Lions - they looked a different team to the one that played the first two tests.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
See? He's kicked it away twice in one minute! :)
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/8888146/Robbie-Deans-seems-resigned-to-dark-fate
2Tahs
Guest
Give him a break. Genia was between (admittedly a metaphorical) rock and a hard place. No pack and no 10, what's a guy to do?
Gormon Kinchley
Guest
Yeah it's painful isn't it? They get names wrong, they're incredibly biased, and sooooo boring. I had it on mute.
Shungmao
Guest
Was coopers fault when the wallabies forwards got smashed at the WC, so based on that ...same same