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25th July 2025
05:07pm BST
The British and Irish Lions go into Saturday’s second Test against Australia in Melbourne knowing a win will wrap up the series Down Under with a match to spare.
They are overwhelming favourites to do so following their 27-19 win in Brisbane, a scoreline which flattered the Wallabies.
The Lions’ last 3-0 series win in Australia was in 1904, and they are odds-on to do the same again in 2025, with Joe Schmidt’s side looking a shadow of their former selves.
On the first Tests’ showing at least this, hasn’t been the challenge we are used to seeing on Lions tours. Some are even suggesting that a whitewash would be a long-term negative on the Lions brand, one of the most successful and popular formats of rugby.
In fact, speaking in his Rugby Pass column, former England and Lions star Ben Kay insists every ex-Lions player he has spoken to secretly wants an Australia win on Saturday in Melbourne to keep the interest going into the final Test in Sydney.
He said: “The Lions brand is unique in that nobody, not even the touring fans, really want to see a 3-0 blowout. Jeopardy is paramount.
“This is supposed to be rugby’s ultimate, a white-hot crucible where everything is demanded of those chosen to wear the jersey; an arena where legends are forged and their deeds enshrined in folklore.
“It’s supposed to be the game’s toughest test, not mundane or perfunctory.
“Whisper it, but I’ve not spoken to any ex-Lion – and I’ve spoken to a lot out here – who doesn’t secretly want Australia to win on Saturday, and take the series to a decider.
“The Lions tour is the biggest thing in our sport and it can’t be a walkover.”
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