The second test match heads to the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the Wallabies face the British & Irish Lions fighting to keep the series alive.
After being bashed up front in Brisbane, the Wallabies have showed a clear intention with Will Skelton & Rob Valentini named in the side adding some serious punch up front.
Joe Schmidt has remained loyal to the backline with Jake Gordon and Tom Lynagh to steer the ship in the halves.
On the Lions front, the big news includes the recalling of Bundee Aki into inside centre jersey adding some extra size in the midfield with Ollie Chessum and Andrew Porter also get the crack in the starting side.
The other major news for the tourists sees the veteran Owen Farrell getting his chance on the bench.
Over 90,000 people are expected to be at the venue, but the rain is predicted to arrive which will show the importance of the set piece and accurate kicking game.
Plenty of value with the Australians this weekend and defiantly worth a sprinkle to respond but these are my best plays for the weekend.
Expecting a much tighter contest with a lower scoring grind predicted with points off the tee to be crucial.
We know what happened in this corresponding game 12 years ago, lets see what the 2025 clash has planned.
- Australia +10.5 @ $1.90
- Under 44.5 @ $1.87
- Rob Valenti Anytime Try @ $5.75
- Wallabies 1-12 – Value play @ $5.25
12 years in the making and after a massive build up, the first test is finally here. The Wallabies against the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium.
The teams have been named with the Wallabies full of surprises with a new halves pairing of Jake Gordon and the 22-year-old young gun Tom Lynagh getting the keys to steer the ship.
Nick Champion de Crespigny will make his debut at 29 years of age with the injuries to Rob Valentini and Langi Gleeson.
On the Lions front, coach Farrell has gone with the Scottish centre combination of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones who has been in career best form.
Finn Russell will be the man to guide the Lions around the park in what is a imposing looking side. Jac Morgan will be sole Welshman in the lineup.
Now the Lions are unbeaten down under and are looking very hard to beat. So can the Wallabies actually beat them or could this all be very bad.
They will need everything to go their way but it’s the battle up front that will be the key and the ability for Australia build pressure and win the territory and find ways to frustrate the tourists.
I do think they are a chance to get this one and these are my best bets for test one:
TIPS
- Wallabies +9.5 @ $1.97
- Under 51.5 Total Points @ $1.85
- Anytime try: Fraser Mcreight ($5.00) + Tommy Freeman ($5.00)