AUSTRALIA 2001

When the Lions toured Australia in 2001, the Wallabies were a completely different beast

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SUCCESSIVE BRITISH & Irish Lions tours around the turn of the century saw them face the current world champions: 1997 against South Africa was followed by Australia in 2001, writes Joe Robinson. The tour to South Africa in 1997 was a celebratory occasion for the ages. It was the first Lions trip post Apartheid and produced the legendary Living With Lions documentary.

The Lions famously won that series but not so four years later. Looking back, that series in Australia had so many moments. It would be easy to focus on the 2001 Lions and their perspective of that tour. From outspoken newspaper columns to on-pitch beatings, it was one that created headlines, good and bad.

And often with that tour, the opposition are forgotten. So we want to remember them, one of the greatest international rugby sides of all time.

In 1999, Australia won their second-ever Rugby World Cup, overcoming France in the final in Cardiff. In 2000 they won the Tri-Nations despite defeat on the opening night to New Zealand. In 2001, they defended their title.