An underestimated Australia saved from a humiliating difference in Brisbane last weekend, but will have to rise significantly to get this series of three games against British and Irish lions in a decision maker.

News match and current form

All week, Australian Rugby writers have evoked memories of the 2001 series when Wallabies, encouraged not only by a 29-13 loss in Game 1, but by the RED seas in Gabba, metaphorically painted the Stadium Yellow and inspired their husbands in an even greater winning margin (35-14). This time, the iconic MCG is expected to have an army of more than 40,000 fans who support each side as Wallabies seek to level the 1-1 series for a third consecutive time after they also did so in 2013 (16-15).

Aussie coach Joe Schmidt welcomes an extraordinary load of power on his package forward, which should strengthen what was already a reasonable stubborn protection in Brisbane last weekend. He stated on Thursday that he does not want his players to be “beautiful or submissive”, naming a 6-2 stool accumulated in front, he hopes to make life difficult for tourists.

British and Irish lions Camp have been hit, but were not destabilized by the injury last week, and while main coach Andy Farrell has made seven changes to his match team for tactical injuries and reasons, they are still favorites for good reason. A narrow five -point win over a team of first & Patikia XV nations can be almost completely ignored during the week knowing that none of their beginners for this game played on Tuesday.

On the contrary, we have to appreciate their performance from last week, during which their efforts in Gainline were much better than the last winning margin suggests. This means that an incentive for Australia’s front package does not necessarily mean an improved Wallabies result, especially after Farrell has turned his focus on chemistry and cohesion, gathering his team with members of the Irish side, who has been scared for years as the best northern hemisphere package. They too need to be expected to improve.

Head -to -head story

Lions now have a 4-3 record on Australia Since the beginning of the 2001 tour, but lost both matches played in Melbourne during that time. These were two H2Hs that were played in Melbourne throughout the lion’s history.

Statistics and hot strips

• Australia lost 14 of their last 15 matches as a betting alien.

• Australia tracked at half the time in ten out of their last 11 losses.

• The seven lion’s games in 2025 ended under the main handicap of total points.

• The lions scored most of their points half of the time in four of their last five games.

Key players to see and lose players

Max Jorgensen He was one of Australia’s three scorers last week and, as a result, has now found the line in three of his last six internationals. Jones marriage It was a late call for the start of the XV but certainly not one without merit, after scoring three attempts on this tour including in games against Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.

David Porecki, Will Skelton and Flaker Rob Valetini all return from damage instead of Nick Champion de Crespigny, Matt Faessler and Jeremy Williams. Sione Tuipulotu, Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy are all with injuries to lions.

Betting analysis

Melbourne is expected to see one of its wetter winter days on Saturday, and while the MCG surface does not become slippery, it can still make Rugby attack a little harder. Combine it with Australia’s most powerful package and Under 49.5 total match points It seems possible.