British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje has set his sights on a 3-0 series victory against the Wallabies. His comments come after Henry Pollock, a member of the coaching staff, indicated the team’s ambition to sweep the series. The Lions are preparing to face Australia in the first Test on July 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM local time in Brisbane, with coverage beginning an hour earlier on Sky Sports.
Itoje emphasized the importance of winning every match, stating, “It goes without saying, no one wants to lose a game.” He expressed hope that Australia’s players share a similar ambition to secure a clean sweep. “We want to win every game we play,” he added, while keeping the focus on the upcoming match and suggesting that the subsequent games would take care of themselves.
The Lions announced several late additions to their squad, including Scottish players Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, and Darcy Graham, who will provide additional support after the first Test. Head coach Andy Farrell initially named a 38-player squad in May, but injuries have led to more players being called up, including full-back Jamie Osborne and hooker Jamie George.
Itoje underscored the quality and experience of the new players, stating, “All of the players that have been called in are quality players. They have a high level of experience and achieved things in their career.” He expressed confidence that these additions would enhance the team’s chances of success in the series.
As the first black captain of the Lions, Itoje reflected on the significance of leading the team during this tour. He described it as “an amazing honour,” noting that this experience is distinct from other prestigious tournaments like the Six Nations or the Rugby World Cup. “Naturally in Test week there’s a sharpening of the mind. There’s probably a higher level of focus,” he explained.
The intensity of the upcoming match against Australia is not lost on Itoje. “The quality of our opposition this week will be significantly higher than what we have faced up until now,” he acknowledged. He mentioned a “healthy tension” within the squad, indicating that the team is well-prepared and eager to rise to the challenge.
Sky Sports is set to broadcast the entire Lions tour of Australia, including all three Tests against the Wallabies and six warm-up matches, offering fans exclusive access to this highly anticipated series. As the Lions aim for their first series win since 2013, the pressure is on to deliver a strong performance right from the outset.
