Maro Itoje has urged The British & Irish Lions to sharpen their focus to the prospect of a “truly special” 3-0 series win as they look ahead to the final Test of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Men's Tour to Australia 2025.
The Lions and Wallabies meet for the final time in Sydney, following an all-time great Test match in Melbourne that the Lions edged thanks to last-gasp Hugo Keenan try.
It put the Lions into an unassailable 2-0 lead and will ensure the tourists win a series for the first time since their last trip Down Under in 2013.
Itoje, the Tour captain and a three-time Lion, was part of the drawn series with New Zealand in 2017 and the 2-1 defeat to South Africa four years ago, with this year marking his first taste of a Lions series win.
While the next Tour is four years away and there are plenty of Lions who could well be apart of this again, many will likely be experiencing their final Lions game.
And, while determined to enjoy every moment of a special achievement, Itoje is adamant they do the jersey proud and look to leave Australia unbeaten.
"It [3-0 series win vs Australia] would be some achievement,” he told Sky Sports.
“What I didn't quite realise was that most Lions tours end in failure as of the professional era, so to win a Lions Test series is an amazing achievement, but to go 3-0 would be truly memorable and truly special.
"That's the opportunity in front of us and that's what we have to chase down.
"While we are happy with the results of the last two games, and we've played extremely well in patches, I think there's still a feeling there's more to come from the group and that this team can perform better. This is our last opportunity.
"This team will never be together again in terms of personnel, so it's our last chance. We owe it to one another to really rip in and give the best account of ourselves.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what we need to improve. We definitely want to start better. We want to be more disciplined throughout the whole game.
“We want to put together phases, be destructive in our collision work. We want to build on that and have a more cohesive and complete performance.
"Australia have definitely played their part in this contest. They were amazing in the first half and they showed the quality that they have.
"This is the last time most, if not all their players, will play against the Lions, so it's last chance saloon for both of us."
Head Coach Andy Farrell will name his team on Thursday and has vowed to name as strong a team as possible.
Form and fitness may necessitate some changes, especially in areas such as the back-row and midfield.
Australia will be forced into at least one change, with winger Harry Potter ruled out with a hamstring injury. Despite losing the series, Accor Stadium is expected to be packed and former captain Michael Hooper believes the series will mark a change in fortune for the national side.
Australia have struggled in recent years, with a group-stage exit at the last World Cup perhaps the lowlight, but host the next tournament in 2027.
"Our country will see a lot of big moments in rugby over the course of the next few years, the Wallabies had a more than decent performance last week and get the chance to back that up,” Hooper said.
"There's always pride in the Wallabie jersey, we have a rich and healthy history.
"The reality is test match rugby is such a competitive environment in this day and age, we saw that in the last World Cup.
"We know how hard it is to be at that pointy end of world rugby and each Test match.
"If you're a consistent international team you're doing something right."
