<p>It’s officially Test week!</p> <p>The tour matches are all over, it’s officially time for the main event and for the Test matches to begin between Australia and the British and Irish Lions.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s been a busy three weeks for Andy Farrell’s men since touching down in Perth. Five successful hitouts against all of Australia’s Super Rugby franchises and a big win against an ANZAC Invitational team have the Lions primed to make a statement against the Wallabies.</p> <p>The warmup games have been fierce. Largely one-sided contests with the visitors putting up some big scores, but fierce battles among Lions teammates as they battle for a starting position in Andy Farrell’s first Test lineup.</p> <p>Hosts Australia, meanwhile, have had less than ideal preparation for their biggest series in a generation.</p> <p>They were bailed out against Fiji, courtesy of some Harry Wilson magic in the 80th minute. While they will say a win is a win, it was hardly a convincing performance. Compounding that was the season-ending neck injury to flyhalf and playmaker Noah Lolesio.&nbsp;</p> <p>It was a blow that saw the SOS get sent to 35-year-old former wunderkind James O’Connor, back in the fold for the first time since 2022, in the latest selection shock from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.&nbsp;</p> <p>After years of anticipation, we’re finally here. The stadiums will be packed, the support will be there, and the occasion will once again be elevated.&nbsp;</p> <p>Can the Wallabies get off to a winning start? Or will the Lions' good tour-match form translate directly into Test success? &nbsp;For all the latest news, fixtures, squad news, tips, and analysis, catch our Wallabies vs Lions series prediction and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wallabies vs British &amp; Irish Lions Squads</h2> <h3>Wallabies Squad</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Forwards:</strong> Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggor, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Backs:</strong> Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h3>British &amp; Irish Lions Squad</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Forwards:</strong> Finlay Bealham (Ireland), Tadhg Berine (Ireland), Ollie Chessum (England), Jack Conan (Ireland), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Scott Cummings (Scotland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England), Maro Itoje (England), Ronan Kelleher (Ireland), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (Ireland), Andrew Porter (Ireland), James Ryan (Ireland), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Will Stuart (England), Josh van der Filer (Ireland)</p> <p><strong>Backs: </strong>&nbsp;Bundee Aki (England), Owen Farrell (England), Tommy Freeman (England), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Mack Hansen (Ireland), Huw Jones (Scotland), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland), James Lowe (Ireland), Alex Mitchell (England), Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Finn Russell (Scotland), Fin Smith (England), Marcus Smith (England), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Ben White (Scotland)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wallabies vs British &amp; Irish Lions Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head- to - Head</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>On the previous two times the series has started in Brisbane, it’s the Lions that have come away with the winning start to the series. Leaving the Wallabies chasing tail in games two and three.&nbsp;</p> <p>A win in the first Test has been critical for the Lions over their past four tours, with the winner of the first game going on to win the series on the previous four occasions.</p> <p>Lions coach Andy Farrell has had five looks at his expanded squad as he looks to settle on combinations and the makeup of his forward pack, backline, and halves.&nbsp;</p> <p>The halves combination looks set to be filled by Jamieson Gibson-Park at scrum-half and Scottish superstar Finn Russell as starting 10, pushing English star Marcus Smith to come off the bench.</p> <p>Aussie-born Mack Hansen looks set to be given a start on the wing against the country that overlooked him, likely joined on the wing by one of two Scotsmen, Duhan van der Merwe or Huw Jones, who have impressed in the five warm-up matches.&nbsp;</p> <p>For Australia, the question dominating selection ahead of Brisbane is, Who is going to start at flyhalf?</p> <p>Will it be the veteran O’Connor? Or will Joe Schmidt start with either Ben Donaldson, who impressed with his kicking game after coming on for Lolesio against Fiji, or Reds playmaker Tom Lynah?</p> <p>Towering lock Will Skelton was rested for Fiji but will likely start as a key enforcer, while reigning back-to-back John Eales medalist Rob Valetini is hoping to prove his fitness for the clash.&nbsp;</p> <p>Can the Wallabies match the Lions' speed on the outside? Or their quick thinking at the breakdown? Or their overall clinicalness across the park?&nbsp;</p> <p>It would take something special, but we’re struggling to see how the Lions get beaten first up.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-union/international-matches/australia-v-british-irish-lions-9318735">British &amp; Irish Lions&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Duhan van der Merwe, the Springbok turned Scot, has put his hand up for Test selection, enhancing his reputation as one of the world's best finishers with a spate of tries in the last few tour matches.</p> <p>A hat-trick against the AUNZ invitational team last Saturday night has put him right in the frame for a starting Red jersey in Brisbane. We’re tipping him to go over first and keep his good form rolling.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-union/international-matches/australia-v-british-irish-lions-9318735">Duhan van der Merwe</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Total Match Points</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>In each of the Lions' five matches on tour so far, they have either gone over or gone close to posting a half-century of points.&nbsp;</p> <p>With that, the line has been set high at 48.5 points. We know the Lions are going to score, but we’re backing the Wallabies to put a few tries of their own with their own outside weapons and powerhouse front row.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-union/international-matches/australia-v-british-irish-lions-9318735">Over 48.5 points</a></p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2>How to watch Wallabies vs British &amp; Irish Lions Game 1</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Every game of the British &amp; Irish Lions tour of Australia will be shown live and ad-break free on Stan Sport.</p> <p>Every Test match between the Lions and the Wallabies will be shown on Channel Nine.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wallabies vs British &amp; Irish Lions Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, July 19th&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kickoff:</strong> 8:00pm AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 9, Stan Sport</p>