Lions must rediscover their attacking verve

Before this Test series even began, Australia coach Robbie Deans predicted the contest would come down to a battle of wills between his Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions.

He may well be right. Today, after two delicately-poised Test matches, each decided by a failed, tension-filled last-minute penalty kick, the two sides reconvene in front of 84,000 supporters at a sold-out ANZ Stadium (11.05am Irish time) with the promise of leaving every last ounce of energy, intensity and passion out on the field and we will see just who has the nerve to get the job done.

This series means so much to both parties that maximum effort in the pursuit of sporting glory and a place in rugby folklore is guaranteed. For Australia, it is the chance to puff out their chests in a country more concerned with rugby league and Australian Rules football and say they have what it takes to compete with the best on an international stage. And for the Lions, there is the opportunity in front of an estimated 40,000 travelling supporters to become the first tourists since 1997 in South Africa to win a series and renew the spirit enshrined in that iconic emblem on their famous red jerseys.