The Definitive Guide to the Lions Tour of Australia: The Compelling Backstory Behind the Wallabies Captain’s Remarkable Victory Cry

Few individuals grasp the emotional highs and lows of a British and Irish Lions tour quite like James Horwill.

The ex-Wallabies captain bears the marks of a 2013 series defeat, a moment that stands as both a pinnacle and a nadir in his career.

Not only was the imposing Queensland lock shouldering the expectations of a nation, but his character also faced intense scrutiny following the first Test.

Although inconspicuous during the Lions’ slim 23-21 victory in Brisbane, where Israel Folau marked his Test debut with two tries and Kurtley Beale infamously slipped whilst taking a crucial penalty, Horwill received devastating news on the Sunday following the match.

Wallabies manager Bob Egerton informed him he had been cited for allegedly stomping on Welsh legend Alun Wyn Jones.

“There was a whirlwind of media speculation stemming from it,” Horwill recollected on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts Extra.

“I found myself waiting in a holding area, away from the cameras stationed outside the hotel, as they didn’t want me to be spotted.”

“I had indeed made contact with Alun Wyn Jones’s head; however, I was completely unaware at the time. It was purely accidental, and that became my defence.

“I don’t dispute that he sustained an injury — he had a cut below his eye. My assertion was that I had no intention and it was an accident. I simply turned off all social media as it became overwhelming, so I just disengaged.”

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Horwill was acquitted but the International Rugby Board controversially appealed the ruling.

He played in the second Test in Melbourne as the matter continued to unfold.

“In the back of my mind, I realised I had to focus on the task at hand because irrespective of the outcome, I was likely facing exclusion from the third Test,” Horwill noted.

This time it was Leigh Halfpenny who failed to convert a last-minute penalty, allowing the Wallabies to secure a narrow 16-15 victory and setting up a climactic series decider.

Horwill released a primal, thunderous roar.

“That was the quintessential emotional response from a Wallabies captain. It was truly spectacular,” remarked Morgan Turinui.

Horwill reflected on the significance.

“I found myself quite emotional. I assumed my series was over, but we reached a decider, which was our goal,” he explained.

“During that week, I internalised a lot. I was acutely aware of the chaos unfolding off the pitch; it was crucial for me not to let it overshadow our preparations. I allowed the media to discuss it while I handled it privately.

“I made it a priority to protect the team from distractions, maintaining an air of business as usual to the outside world; everything was fine.”

Horwill was ultimately given the green light to play in Sydney, but the Lions dominated, winning 41-16 with a squad heavily featuring Welsh players while Brian O’Driscoll remained absent.

The heartache remains, yet so does the unforgettable rugby journey.

“In the realm of Test rugby, nothing else compares,” Horwill stated emphatically.

“The level of scrutiny is unparalleled. The announcement of the Lions squad drew 200 press members to the team announcement and captain’s press conference.

“That illustrates the scale of what lies ahead. The stakes are incredibly high, and there’s nowhere to hide… it’s a massive event.”

How frequently do the British and Irish Lions tour Australia?

Every 12 years.

The last tour to Australia in 2013 saw the Lions emerge victorious in the series, securing a 2-1 win over the Wallabies.

They subsequently drew the series against New Zealand in 2017 and lost to South Africa in 2021.

When is the next British and Irish Lions tour of Australia scheduled?

The tour launches with a match against Argentina in Dublin on June 21 (AEST) and culminates with the third Test on August 2.

The Lions will face the Wallabies in three Tests, alongside six additional matches across Australia.

These will include contests against the Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, an Invitational Australia and New Zealand XV, as well as a First Nations and Pasifika XV.

The complete fixture schedule

Western Force vs British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday June 28 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Queensland Reds vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday July 2 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

New South Wales Waratahs vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 5 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

ACT Brumbies vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday July 9 at GIO Stadium, Canberra

AUNZ Invitational XV vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 12 at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

First Nations & Pasifika XV vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Tuesday July 22 at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

How to secure tickets

Tickets for all matches can be purchased through Ticketek.

Who will lead the Lions for the Australian tour?

Maro Itoje will captain the British and Irish Lions squad for the Australian tour, which boasts 15 players from Ireland, only two from Wales, and an English player with minimal international experience.

A 38-man touring party was revealed on Thursday before a crowd of over 2,000 rugby enthusiasts at The O2 arena in London, with the 30-year-old Itoje becoming the first English captain of the Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001 — a testament to the honour it represents in the sport.

Itoje will embark on his third tour, having previously participated in 2017 and 2021, solidifying his ascent as a leader after being named the captain of England and Saracens earlier this season.

When his name was announced by Lions coach Andy Farrell, Itoje stepped forward in full Lions gear, proudly carrying the lion mascot, Bill — met with resounding applause.

“It’s a significant honour and privilege,” Itoje remarked, clearly humbled by the occasion.

“Honestly, it’s a rather surreal experience.”

The British and Irish Lions squad

Forwards: Maro Itoje (England, captain), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Ollie Chessum (England), Jack Conan (Ireland), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Scott Cummings (Scotland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England), Ronan Kelleher (Ireland), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England), Andrew Porter (Ireland), James Ryan (Ireland), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Will Stuart (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland)

Backs: Bundee Aki (Ireland), Elliot Daly (England), Tommy Freeman (England), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Mack Hansen (Ireland), Huw Jones (Scotland), Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland), James Lowe (Ireland), Alex Mitchell (England), Gary Ringrose (Ireland), Finn Russell (Scotland), Fin Smith (England), Marcus Smith (England), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Tomos Williams (Wales)

When is the Wallabies squad expected to be announced?

According to Joe Schmidt, “it’s quite complicated this year, isn’t it?”

The announcement is contingent on how far Australian teams progress in the Super Rugby Pacific finals.

With the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds leading the charge in 2025.

“If we don’t have a finalist, we’ll likely announce our squad the week before the final (on June 21),” the Wallabies coach explained.

“If we do have a finalist, we’ll probably reveal it shortly after the final.”

– with AP