The 2nd Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions takes place at the MCG in Melbourne on Saturday 26 July and in this blog we preview the match from a betting angle with updates throughout the week. We will also cover the Tuesday match against the First Nations & Pasifika XV. 

 

 

 

BET: 0.5 units VALETINI MOM AT 14/1 at Pokerbet

 Posted 26 July 11h16 

Southpaw in the forum has a knack of picking Man of Match and tryscorers and he has taken Rob Valetini at 16/1. The best I can find is 14/1 and I will take a small interest. 

I have also pressed Australia with a play on over 16.5 at 0.87/1 at Betxchange 

 

MATCH DAY BETTING UPDATE 

Posted 26 July 10h52 

The handicap is stable at +10.5 and I am still content to be on the home team. 

The points line varoes from 41.5 to 43.5 and alhough the forecasts still show rain the photos I have seen suggests things may not be that bad. 

At 41.5 I am weighing up and overs play. 

 

BET: 4 units on Australia +10.5 at 9/10 with World Sports Betting

Posted 25 July 07h58 

The handicap has settled at +10.5 for Australia, although there is still some +9.5 available in places. The weather forecast is poor, and the points line has dropped to 43.5 — I’m regretting not taking the early 48.5. The inclusion of Valetini and Skelton is significant; in my view, they are two of the first names you'd put on a team sheet. I may get further involved closer to kick-off, but I believe Australia can push the Lions here and potentially level the series.

 

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BETTING UPDATE - Australia shorten and points drop 

Posted 24 July 09h23 

The money has come for Australia after team announcements with Valetini and Skelton considered fit to play. They are nopw +10.5 from as high as +12.5. 

The points line has moved to 45.5 from 48.5 with the forecast getting worse everytime I look. 

 

Line Ups Announced

Posted 08:30 24th July

 

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Ben Donaldson

 

British and Irish Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Tadgh Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Blair Kinghorn

 

BETTING UPDATE - Posted 22 July 15h33

The handicap has been fairly stable and there is -11.5 Lions and +12.5 Australia depending on where you shop. 

Total Points is 48.5 and with rain now forecast during the game this might come in a point or 2. 

 

AUSTRALIA V BRITISH & IRISH LIONS– 2nd Test Preview

Date: Saturday, 26 July 2025
Kick-off: 20:00 AEST / 12:00 SAST
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Weather: Cool with temperatures around 12°C at kick-off and there is some rain forecast on the day and possibly at kickoff. Weather sourced at TimeandDate.com - updates will be posted 

 

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EARLY BETTING - at Hollywoodbets 

Posted 20 July 09h26 

Autralia 4.4/1 

Draw 29/1 

B&I Lions 0.16/1 

Handicap: Australia +11.5 at 9/10 

 

SETTING THE SCENE

The British & Irish Lions head into the second Test of the series with a 1–0 lead after a composed 27–19 victory in Brisbane. It was a controlled and clinical performance from Andy Farrell’s sidewho led 24–5 before Australia scored 2 tries in the last 12 minutes to reduce the deficit.

Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, and Sione Tuipulotu all crossed for tries, while Finn Russell guided the team with accurate goal-kicking and steady game management. Tadhg Beirne was named Player of the Match for a typically industrious display.

 .

Australia struggled for rhythm early on and while they showed resilience late in the game, including tries from Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott, they never looked like winning the game. Head coach Joe Schmidt will be demanding a sharper start in Melbourne and he will be hoping to get Valetini and Skelton back from injury.  .

 

Early minus backers would have collected on the -7.5 Lions but the handicap started -11.5 so I would imagine the result was a decent one for the bookies.

The Lions remain unbeaten on tour, with dominant wins over the Western Force and Queensland Reds, and and scrappier victories against the Brumbies, Waratahs. They beat an Invitational AU and NZ XV 48-0. 

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is the venue for this crucial encounter. A win for the Lions would secure the series, while the Wallabies must bounce back to keep the contest alive heading into the third and final Test in Sydney.

 

First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions – Match Preview - Bets now added 

Posted 21 July 11h05 

Date: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Kick-off: 19:45 AEST / 11:45 SAST
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Weather: Cool and breezy but clear - sourced at TimeandDate.com - check updates before betting 

We interrupt this 2nd test preview for a look at the midweek game

The British & Irish Lions face the First Nations & Pasifika XV in their final midweek tour match before the second Test against Australia. Andy Farrell has named a much-changed side for this occasion, giving opportunities to a number of fringe players and debutants following a hard-fought Test win over the Wallabies in Brisbane.

Owen Farrell who was not in the original squad captains the Lions from inside centre.

The First Nations & Pasifika XV, led by Kurtley Beale, feature a mix of Super Rugby experience and raw power. The backline boasts attacking threats like Filipo Daugunu and Lalakai Foketi, while Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto add serious muscle to the forward pack.

With the Lions unbeaten so far on tour and building depth across the squad, this match will serve as another important stepping stone ahead of the remaining Test matches. The First Nations & Pasifika side, meanwhile, will be highly motivated in front of a passionate  crowd and eager to claim a memorable scalp.

TEAMS

First Nations & Pasifika XV:
15. Andy Muirhead, 14. Triston Reilly, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 12. David Feliuai, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 10. Kurtley Beale (captain), 9. Kalani Thomas, 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7. Charlie Gamble, 6. Seru Uru, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4. Darcy Swain, 3. Taniela Tupou, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1. Lington Ieli
Replacements: 16. Richie Asiata, 17. Marley Pearce, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Jack Debreczeni, 23. Jarrah McLeod

British & Irish Lions:
15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Jamie Osborne, 12. Owen Farrell (captain), 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Ben White, 8. Henry Pollock, 7. Josh van der Flier, 6. Jac Morgan, 5. Scott Cummings, 4. James Ryan, 3. Finlay Bealham, 2. Jamie George, 1. Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Tom Clarkson, 19. Gregor Brown, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Garry Ringrose

Handicap: First Nations & Pasifika XV +33.5 v B&I LIons 

Update 21 July 23h44

I am not getting heavily involved in this one and just a couple of speculators for me - both at Pokerbet 

Bet: 0.5 unit Ringrose Lions last try scorer at 16/1 

Scores his fair share of tries and being on the bench will be on the field late. Price is tempting. 

Bet: 1 units winning margin 31-35 points inclusive at 7.1/1 

Given the handicap falls within this range hopefully it will keep me interested