By Michael Doyle, ABC News
British & Irish Lions Captain Maro Itoje and Wallabies Captain Harry Wilson. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
British and Irish Lions v Wallabies
Kickoff: 10pm Saturday, 19 July
Lang Park, Brisbane
Follow the live blog on RNZ
Twelve years of anticipation will end on Saturday night when the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions face off in the first of three test matches, at Lang Park in Brisbane.
The historic rugby tour sees Australia's finest take on the very best players from four nations in an event that comes to our shores once every dozen years.
Here is what you need to know about the first test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions.
When will the Wallabies play the British and Irish Lions?
The first test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions will be played on Saturday, 19 July, at Lang Park in Brisbane. Kickoff is at 10pm (NZ time), broadcast on Sky Sport and liveblogged here at RNZ.
Who is playing in the first test match?
Wallabies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Matt Faessler, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Jeremy Williams, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Tom Lynagh, 11. Harry Potter, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright
Reserves: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Tom Robertson, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Andrew Kellaway
British & Irish Lions: 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Joe McCarthy, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Jack Conan, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 10. Finn Russell, 11. James Lowe, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 13. Huw Jones, 14. Tommy Freeman, 15. Hugo Keenan
Reserves: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Andrew Porter, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Ollie Chessum, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Bundee Aki
British and Irish Lions' Huw Jones dives to score a try during the rugby match between the British & Irish Lions and the NSW Waratahs. Photo: DAVID GRAY/AFP
What are the British and Irish Lions?
The British and Irish Lions are an international representative rugby team, with the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales being eligible for selection.
The first tour, although unsanctioned, was in 1888 with players representing the British Isles playing matches in Australia and New Zealand.
The Lions have regularly toured Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
The Lions did not play against the Wallabies between 1966 and 1989, however, they did play against Queensland and New South Wales during their tour of 1971 to New Zealand.
The 1989 Lions tour of Australia began the current four-year cycle of Lions tours to the Southern Hemisphere.
The Lions rotate between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, meaning they only tour each of these nations once every 12 years.
All Black Dan Carter slips the tackle of Jonny Wilkinson during the 1st test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions at Jade Stadium in Christchurch,New Zealand in June, 2005. The All Blacks won 21-3. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/PHOTOSPORT
What are the Wallabies and Lions playing for?
There is more than just pride and history at stake for the Wallabies and Lions.
Starting in 2001, the winning team of the Wallabies vs Lions test series is awarded the Tom Richards Trophy.
Tom Richards is the only Australian-born rugby union player to represent the Lions and the Wallabies.
Richards was part of the first Wallaby team to tour Britain in 1908, and was also part of Australasia's (a combined Australia and New Zealand team) gold medal-winning rugby team at that year's Olympic Games in London.
Richards was part of the Lions tour to South Africa in 1910, while he was living in Britain.
Australia were the first holders of the trophy after their series win in 2001. The Lions are the current holders following their series win in 2013.
English-born rugby player Blair Swannell also played for the Lions (1899,1904) and Wallabies (1905).
When did the British and Irish Lions last tour Australia?
The British and Irish Lions were last on Australian shores in 2013, where they claimed a memorable 2-1 test series win.
The opening two tests of the series were nail-biters, going down to the final play. The Lions triumphed in Brisbane 23-21, then the Wallabies were victorious in Melbourne, 16-15.
In both matches, the losing side had a penalty kick at full-time to win the match, but missed.
The third test threatened to again go down to the wire, with the Lions holding a 19-16 lead early in the second half. But the tourists scored three tries in the final 23 minutes to earn a commanding 41-16 win, and claim the series.
James O'Connor and James Slipper both played in the 2013 series for the Wallabies. Should they take the field against the Lions this year, they will join George Smith (2001 and 2013) as the only three Wallabies to have played in consecutive Lions tours.
British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts (C) lifts the trophy after the Lions defeated the Australian Wallabies in the third rugby Test match played in Sydney on July 6, 2013. Photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP
Have the Wallabies beaten the British and Irish Lions?
Since their first official test match in 1899, Australia and the British and Irish Lions have faced each other in 23 test matches.
The Wallabies have managed to defeat the Lions six times.
Australia was victorious in the maiden encounter in 1899, a 13-3 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That was also Australia's first test match win in rugby.
The Lions would go on to win the next three tests in 1899, claiming a 3-1 series win.
Australia would have to wait until 1930 before their second test win against the Lions, a 6-5 triumph at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That was the only test match against Australia played on the 1930 Lions' tour, meaning Australia had achieved their first of two series wins.
The modern 12-year cycle of Lions tours began in 1989, and the Wallabies achieved their first test win over the Lions in 49 years.
World champions at the time, the Wallabies defeated the Lions in the first test 30-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium. The Lions recovered to win the following two tests and win the series.
Australia's only multi-match series win came in 2001.
After losing the first test at the Gabba, the Wallabies recovered to defeat the Lions at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, 35-14. The 21-point margin is Australia's largest win over the Lions.
The Wallabies won the series with a famous 29-23 victory at Stadium Australia in front of 84,188 fans.
Australia's last win over the Lions was during the second test in 2013.
- ABC News
