Maro Itoje addresses ‘pub team’ claim as Lions sit on verge of ‘special’ series win
British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje in action v Australia in 2025
British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje insists his side are “not playing a pub team”, but called on his troops to go out and clinch a series victory in Melbourne.
The tourists find themselves 1-0 up heading into Saturday’s clash at the MCG, following their 27-19 victory at Suncorp Stadium a week ago, and a win would seal a second successive series victory on Australian soil.
‘The Wallabies are a proper team’
Itoje’s side come into the game in Melbourne as favourites, after winning all seven games since landing in Australia, including last week’s opening Test, and hold a points difference of +171 from those matches as well; yet Itoje is taking nothing for granted when it comes to this Wallabies team.
The towering lock was part of the England side that slipped to a 42-37 defeat to Joe Schmidt’s side back in November, and despite holding a 24-7 advantage early in the second-half against them last weekend in Brisbane, the Wallabies still fought back with two quick-fire scores in the final 15 minutes.
“When you wear this jersey and represent the Lions, you know it comes with huge honour and a sense of responsibility. We know we are not playing a pub team,” Itoje said ahead of the Test.
“The Wallabies are a proper team. I played them last year in the autumn, and we lost to them when we were supposed to win.”
“They are a team that can punish you if you don’t approach the game properly.”
‘Not all games are equal’
But, history is on the line for the Lions. A win on Saturday would not only clinch the 2025 Test series, but also be the first time in the Lions’ 137-year history that they have won two consecutive Tests against the same opposition.
“As a professional athlete, there’s always a focus to what you do, but not all games are equal,” Itoje detailed.
“Not all games mean the same thing, and this game and the game last week aren’t equal to normal games of rugby. They’re special.
“Naturally, there’s a higher level of focus, and it requires a higher level of intensity and diligence in what you want to do.”
He added: “These sort of games are almost the reason why you want to play rugby. You want to play rugby and be a part of these huge occasions.”
His words were echoed by boss Farrell, who said his side could have the “privilege” of becoming the first team to do so.
“No other Lions teams have done back-to-back victories of tours of the same countries.
“Due to the good work of the 2013 touring party, we get the privilege of trying to accomplish that.”
