By James Toney in Melbourne
In the spiritual home of Australia’s game, the British & Irish Lions seized their moment and then vowed to win it all.
This storied ground has seen some sights: the birthplace of Test cricket, AFL Grand Final glory, an Olympics and even a Papal Mass.
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Now, the record 90,307 who watched Saturday’s second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground — won 29–26 by the Lions in a thriller — have joined that legend.
“We are aware of the stadium and what it means to Australian people. It is kind of like their Mecca, their Croke Park,” said Tadhg Furlong.
Everywhere you looked, there was history — the biggest crowd at a Lions match and the biggest comeback in a Lions Test too, after the tourists found themselves trailing 23–5.
And it is the first time since 1997 that a Lions team has won a series with a game to play.
However, that could be trumped in Sydney next weekend, as Andy Farrell’s side look to complete the first unbeaten tour since the ‘Invincibles’ 1974 trip to South Africa — regarded as the greatest rugby tour in history.
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“Three-nil is massive. We spoke about being the first Lions team to go back-to-back in Australia and we have achieved that, so we need something else to chase,” said England’s Ellis Genge, who made his impact off the bench.
Coach Andy Farrell has made no secret that a series whitewash was the ultimate aim of this journey to the other side of the world.
Even when his team found themselves reeling under a first-half barrage from a Wallabies side much improved from their defeat in Brisbane, he kept the faith.
“When we come back to training on Monday, we’ll be ready to go again,” said fly-half Finn Russell, whose unerring right boot relentlessly drove his team forward.
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“I think if we can make it a three-nil series, that’s amazing, and I think everyone should be gunning for that.
“To get the series win is amazing, but it’s like the job’s still not done yet.
“We need to go and try to finish it off next week in Sydney. Even though we’ve got the series, we need to go and finish it off and finish on a high.”
Furlong might be the other side of 30, but he has been sensational in recent weeks — holding up his side of the scrum and making the hard runs time and time again, a wrecking-ball player still causing havoc.
“It is a little bit emotional,” he added.
“The Lions have played a massive part in my career. Not so much me as a person, but as a rugby player, it has shaped the way I play and think about the game.
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“I know this tour will be me closing a book on the Lions and I don’t want it to end. It’s a great group, it’s a special thing being a Lion, and we have a week left to enjoy it. I don’t want it to end — as much as I want to go home and see my family.
“The ambition now is Sydney. Going three-nil would mean everything to this group.”
