One Lions legend will be conspicuous by his absence against Australia on Saturday but a Wallabies legend will be very much to the fore having been picked to make a dramatic return to test rugby.
We’re still reeling about the non-selection of Brian O’Driscoll for the third and final test against the Wallabies in Sydney this weekend, but almost as big a selection story Down Under is the return to the Australian starting line-up of flanker George Smith in what will be his first test appearance in over three years.
The inclusion of the legendary flanker in the back row is the only change from the Wallabies side who tasted victory over the Lions in Melbourne last week, with Michael Hooper, who was forced to fill in at centre in the opening test, dropping to the bench and Liam Gill dropping out of the matchday squad altogether.
The series was delicately poised already but the omission of O’Driscoll and the inclusion of Smith have added another layer of interest to the decider on Saturday and it remains to be seen which of the coaches will be vindicated when all is said and done.
Bring it on.
Australia team to play the Lions: Kurtley Beale; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Leali'ifano; Joe Tomane; James O'Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander; Kane Douglas, James Horwill (captain); Ben Mowen, George Smith, Wycliff Palu
Replacements: Saia Fainga'a, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Jesse Mogg
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