Maro Itoje defends written-off Australia as 'NOT a pub team' ahead of potential British & Irish Lions series decider

Lions skipper Maro Itoje insists the written-off Wallabies are not a ‘pub team’ ahead of their potential series decider in Australia.

Itoje’s side have been tipped to wrap up the series with a game to spare in front of a record crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

After comfortably winning the opening game in Brisbane, Lions legend Martin Johnson presented the tourist with their jerseys and offered some words of wisdom.

‘When you wear this jersey and represent the Lions you know it comes with huge honour and a sense of responsibility - and we know we are not playing a pub team,’ said Itoje. 

‘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.’

A record crowd is expected for the second Test, with close to 90,000 tickets sold for the huge arena.

Itoje added: ‘I guess these are the sorts of games, these are almost the reason why you want to play rugby. 

'You want to play rugby and be a part of these huge occasions, huge games with maybe a little bit of jeopardy on the line, but more so the opportunity to do something special, the opportunity to be a part of something special, the opportunity to do something that lives long in the long in the memory, and create special memories with your friends and colleagues and family. 

'Not all games are equal. Not all games mean the same thing. And this game, last week, these games aren't equal to normal games of rugby. They're special. 

'So naturally, there's a higher level of focus. It requires a higher level of intensity and a higher level of diligence to what you want to do.’