The British and Irish Lions roadshow has moved to Melbourne and for the first time in their history, this team will play on the famous MCG in the second test against the Wallabies.
Last weekend in Brisbane saw the tourists take a 1-0 lead in the series, taking out a physical clash 27-19.
That game was won early on in each half with the Lions coming out of the blocks flying while the Aussies were still getting their bearings.
While Australia did respond and enjoy spells of dominance throughout the game, the final margin was a relatively fair reflection of the way the game was played.
Unfortunately for Joe Schmidt and his players, there is no room for honourable defeats needing to win this and keep the series alive ahead of the Third Test in Sydney.
During the week a rotated Lions side just defeated the First Nations and Pasifika XV but they are set to be back at full strength for this potentially decisive game.
Find our previews and best bets for the Second Test here.
Team News
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has opted for minimal changes for this weekend.
All three of those changes are in a forward pack that won at scrum time but lost the battle elsewhere on the pitch, allowing the Lions to outmuscle their opponents.
That should be a slightly more even battle with hooker Dave Porecki drafted in while lock Will Skelton and Melbourne born flanker Rob Valenti have overcome the injuries that forced them to miss the game in Brisbane.
Australia’s backline remains unchanged for the game with Jake Gordon hopefully better for the run out in Brisbane after he was outperformed by his replacement Tate McDermott.
Lions coach Andy Farrell has made three changes of his own, although two are injury enforced with former Melbourne Rebels centre Sione Tuipulotu (hamstring), lock Joe McCarthy (foot) out entirely.
Prop Ellis Genge will drop to the bench, replaced by Andrew Porter while Ollie Cheesum takes the five jersey and Bundee Aki will take Tuipulotu’s place.
Total Points
There were times in the first test where it felt like one team (usually the Lions) was on the verge of blowing the game wide open.
But a combination of dogged determination in defence and some boneheaded play in attack meant that a number of chances went begging and the scores stayed down.
With inclement weather forecast for Saturday night in Melbourne, slick passing seems like it might not be a wise strategy and it could be a game for the big boys up front.
Expect plenty of tactical kicking from both sides (a skill normally required for the other football code that plays out of the MCG) and it will be decided by who holds their discipline the best when they are on the back foot.
12 years ago it was a hard fought 16-15 game and if either team makes it to 20 points it would be a big surprise.
Under 46.5 Points @ $1.95
Player Markets
Backing any try scorer in a game where five-pointers are going to be at a premium comes with an added layer of risk.
But that does not mean there is no value in the market, with tries likely to come from close range with quick thinking inside the five metre line.
Jamison Gibson-Park expertly guided the Lions around the park last weekend and he could very easily dart over from close range.
On the Australian side, the forwards did plenty of picking and driving around the try line so a shift we may see this week is a couple more short passes to let the inside backs try and crash over.
Losing Tuipulotu will be a big blow for the Lions defence and it could open up space for Len Ikitau to bulldoze his way over with a head of steam.
Jamison Gibson-Park Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.70
Len Ikitau Anytime Try Scorer @ $4.20
Best Bet
There is something kind of familiar about this series compared to the previous two.
The Lions won the first test in Brisbane, 2001 in convincing fashion, 2013 thanks to a late missed penalty from the Aussies.
But lo and behold, the Australians found a way to bounce back when the series went to Melbourne, winning in convincing fashion in 2001 and thanks to a missed penalty 12 years ago.
While neither the 2013 or present day Wallabies are on the level of the 2001 squad, there is enough talent on hand to give them a fighting chance on Saturday night.
That’s not to say that taking the Aussies to win outright is a sure thing, far from it.
But a double digit line in favour of the tourists after how close that first game was seems more than a bit tough on the Australians.
Add in the desperation of this being a must-win game for the home side and this is likely to be decided after the 80th minute.
Australia to Cover +10.5 @ $1.90
Same Game Multi
Australia +14.5, Under 52.5 Points, Joseph Sua’ali’I Anytime Tryscorer @ $7.98