Wallabies vs Lions LIVE: Australia in must-win Test to keep series alive at a packed MCG We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. DismissSkip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footer Our network Open NavigationMenu Search Site Show subsections Western Australia Show subsections Bulls N' Bears The economy Banking & finance Small business Show subsections North America Middle East South America Show subsections Western Australia Show subsections Domain Magazine Show subsections Rugby union Show subsections Tips & advice Show subsections Art & design Live reviews Show subsections Health & wellness Life & relationships Show subsections Destination guides Inspiration Reviews & advice Travel news Good Weekend Sunday Life Show subsections Super & retirement Planning & budgeting Environment Show subsections Conservation Climate change Sustainability Show subsections Video games PremiumSubscribe Today’s Paper Good Food Guide Daily Puzzles The Sydney Morning Herald Brisbane Times The Australian Financial Review Commercial Real Estate Advertisement Rugby Union Wallabies vs Lions LIVE: Australia in must-win Test to keep series alive at a packed MCG By Jonathan Drennan, Roy Ward and Iain Payten July 26, 2025 — 6.49pm Log in, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Latest posts Latest posts Who have you got tonight? How the Wallabies are lining up Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has resisted the urge to tinker with his backline which remains unchanged from the first Test in Brisbane. The pack is a different story. David Porecki comes in at hooker and Billy Pollard stays on the bench, with the Reds’ Matt Faessler out of the squad. The Wallabies faithful will be delighted to see the combined muscle of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton to help them break the Lions’ stubborn and organised defence. The Wallabies have gone for a 6/2 bench, to prepare for the wetter conditions in Melbourne, with Langi Gleeson and Angus Bell both providing ball carrying strength off the bench. Good evening rugby fans Good evening everyone to the second Test and quite possibly the biggest game of rugby the Wallabies have played in a decade. It’s Jonathan Drennan taking you through tonight’s action, helped by a talented backline outside me ready to fire. We have Roy Ward, who did an excellent piece on the state of rugby union in Victoria this week, alongside Tom ‘diamonds’ Decent and Iain ‘the North Shore express’ Payten. All three gents are in the MCG with the 90,000 fans expected in the iconic venue. Last week, the Wallabies were brutally outmuscled by the Lions, but staggered back into the game late, before losing by eight points. Many of the overseas press was deeply impressed with Australia and as ever, the Wallabies need to find a big performance to silence the detractors. It’s a huge ask to level the series, but not impossible it happened right here in Melbourne for the Wallabies in 2001 and 2013. Kickoff is set for 8pm AEST and you can watch all the action on Nine and Stan Sport who also own this masthead. But please also follow along as we bring you the main moments and reactions pre and post game. We’re in the hometown of Pete Samu and Rob Valetini, the stage is perfectly set, let’s get into this. Joe Schmidt ahead of the second Test at the MCGCredit: Getty Images Most Viewed in Sport Advertisement Back to top The Sydney Morning Herald Brisbane Times The Australian Financial Review Classifieds Place your ad Commercial Real Estate Contact & support Advertise with us Newsletters Accessibility guide Photo sales Purchase front pages Content licensing Work with us Terms of use Privacy policy Press Council Charter of Editorial Independence AI Editorial Guidelines Products & Services Subscription packages Subscriber FAQs Delivery status Today’s Paper Good Food Guide Daily Puzzles Copyright © 2025