First Nations and Pasifika team show Wallabies how to stand up to the British and Irish Lions

The Wallabies have taken inspiration from the First Nations and Pasifika XV’s performance against the British and Irish Lions.

Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson says his side has been delivered a “blueprint” on how to “dominate” the British and Irish Lions by the First Nations and Pasifika XV.

Despite being beaten 24-19 by the Lions on Tuesday night at Marvel Stadium, the First Nations and Pasifika outfit had the tourists on the back foot, mainly through some stinging defence and physicality.

Wilson said it was a performance the FNP team should be “proud” of, and an effort and style that the Wallabies needed to replicated against the Lions at the MCG on Saturday night.

Australia, beaten 27-19 by the Lions in Brisbane last Saturday, must win this weekend to keep the three-Test series alive.

“A lot of us were there watching (at Marvel Stadium) and just seeing the way (First Nations and) Pasifika went after them, the line speed, the big hits in defence, it was a great blueprint about how to really try and physically dominate them (the Lions),” Wilson said.

“It was awesome to see those boys. They obviously had a great week together. They connected and then went out there and did a performance which they should be so proud of.”

Helping the Wallabies’ bid to be more physical than they were at Suncorp Stadium will be the presence of imposing forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, who were sidelined last weekend with calf injuries.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson prepares for Saturday night’s clash with the British and Irish Lions at the MCG. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“You get a lot of confidence when you have two people with their experience and their presence come into your side … and they’re two real leaders in the group, and having them back in such a big match is really exciting for us,” Wilson said.

He said fellow back-rower Valetini would be particularly inspired playing in his hometown of Melbourne.

“‘Bobby’ loves playing for Australia. He’s missed two games this year, (and) he hasn’t missed many over the last five or six years, so he’s really excited,” Wilson said.

“He’s had a really good week of prep, his body’s looking good, and I know he loves playing here in Melbourne, so he’ll be fired up.”

Playing in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG will also inspire the entire Wallabies squad.

“It’s super special. For Australian sport, there’s no bigger stadium,” Wilson said.

“You grow up here watching Boxing Day Tests, the AFL grand finals … it’s always sold out, packed.

“It doesn’t get much better than that, so I guess the feeling of probably running out here in front of 90,000-plus people is truly special, and hopefully we can go out there and put a good performance in.”

Wilson said the “pressure” was on both teams despite it only being a must-win affair for the Wallabies.

“They want to wrap up the series and we want to keep the series alive, so there’s no doubting there’s a lot on the line for both teams and that’s something that really excites you, playing professional sport,” he said.