If you do not like the Melbourne weather, just wait five minutes – although the British & Irish Lions may do well to take their forecast from a more reliable source than local idioms.

Australia is bracing itself for what a very excitable weather presenter described as a “monster rain band”, while the Wallabies are preparing for an equally wet and wild ride at the MCG.

Andy Farrell’s team need a win in Victoria to secure the Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Series with a Test to spare, following last weekend’s eight-point victory in Brisbane.

Everywhere you go in the city there are expectant Lions supporters who have travelled halfway around the globe to be here, the weather obliging by making them feel right at home.

If Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies, smarting from last week’s defeat and aiming to level the series, were told to bring their mouthguards to training, then the Lions fans should be urged to pack a brolly on Saturday.

Farrell just wants his team prepared for whatever the hosts – and the weather – throw in the tourists’ direction.

“No other Lions have completed back-to-back victories in tours of the same country. Thanks to the good work of the 2013 touring party, we have the privilege of being in a position to try and accomplish that,” said Farrell, a member of Warren Gatland’s backroom staff 12 years ago when Australia bounced back from a Brisbane defeat to send the series to a decider.

“Doing things properly is what we have talked about all week. Our expectation is we will make the right choices most of the time.

“We are all human and realise it is not going to be perfect, but staying on it as much as we can gives us a better chance of getting what we want from this challenge.

“We know we will have to be a lot better than last week. We are way better than what we showed and we have got another chance to prove that.

“It is obvious what they are going to bring, but the focus will be on us. We do not want to get too distracted by what they may or may not do.”

Farrell’s team got a look at the cavernous MCG under leaden skies on Friday, Finn Russell threading kicks from all angles while others relaxed with a game of cricket – Ellis Genge showing some great potential as a seamer, while Finlay Bealham, bat in hand, had those on the 'boundary' scampering for cover.

If this was a team with the weight of history on their shoulders, they did not seem overly burdened.

“The Wallabies are a proper team and they can punish you if you do not do everything you can to approach the game properly,” said captain Maro Itoje.

“I played them last year for England and we lost when everyone said we were supposed to win.

“This is not a normal game of rugby, this is something special, so there is more focus and more intensity. We have all got a higher level of diligence.

“There is always jeopardy when something big is on the line – the chance to do something very special. It is a huge occasion and we are going to embrace it.”

Australia’s captain, Harry Wilson, knows the pressure is on his side but rather deftly tried to throw it straight back at his opposite number after his captain’s run at the MCG.

“There is pressure on both teams,” he said.

“The Lions want to wrap up the series and we want to keep the series alive, so there is no doubt there is a lot on the line for both sides – and that is something that really excites you playing professional sport.

“There is a lot of pressure on and it is what you love about it.”

You do not need to hype this one. Played on Australian sport’s most iconic stage, the ’G is a national mecca in a city usually obsessed with a very different kind of footy.

James Slipper is the only surviving Wallaby from the team that beat the Lions here 12 years ago, though that match was a couple of miles down the Yarra at Marvel Stadium, in front of half the crowd expected on Saturday.

“This is up there with a World Cup final for us,” he said.

“For a lot of players, it is a once-in-a-career opportunity. It is right up there – every 12 years. Takes a long time for those 12 years to come around again.

“We have not had that many series in the long history. For us it is definitely at the forefront of our careers.”