It was one of the bloodiest battles in living Rugby memory. Saturday 8 July, 1989 on the hallowed turf of Ballymore in Queensland.
The Lions were out for revenge. A week earlier in front of a capacity crowd at the first Test in Sydney they suffered a 30 points to 12 defeat by the Wallabies, a rare occurrence in the Lions history against Australia at the time.
The Wallabies Captain, Nick Farr-Jones gave his all in both his leadership and physical capacity. Emerging bloodied out of tousled scrum encounter, the scrum-half was a central imposing figure in the bruising contest against the Lions during the second Test.
Known for his superior passing and ability to run with the ball, Farr-Jones is considered by fans to be the biggest hero of the 1989 Tour to Australia as shown by the results of this week’s rugby.com.au poll.
Fans had the choice of six players from the 1989 Lions Tour to Australia who each feature in the #MyRugbyTV Lions Heroes Series, including Wallabies Nick Farr-Jones, David Campese and Michael Lynagh and Lions, Jeremy Guscott, Gavin Hastings, and Paul Ackford.
The three Wallaby players ended up in first, second and third spot in the poll asking fans who they thought was the biggest hero of the 1989 Lions Tour, with Farr-Jones receiving 26% of the votes, closely followed by David Campese on 24% and Michael Lynagh on 20%.
The Lions players followed with Jeremy Guscott on 14%, Gavin Hastings on 11% and Paul Ackford on 5% of votes in the final poll results.
Despite being plagued by injuries, the Lions went on to win the 1989 series, making history by becoming the first Lions team to secure a series from behind after their loss in the initial Test.
They were also the first Lions team to visit Australia in a full-blown Lions tour since 1899. With 12 matches, and three Tests, the 1989 Tour was the only sizeable British tour to Australia since 1959.
Despite Australia going down 2-1 in the Test series, Farr-Jones was considered an inspirational Captain, who went on to lead the Wallabies to their first World Cup victory in 1991.
The Lions will arrive on Australian soil for the first time in 12 years this June. With the Lions team to be named next Tuesday 30th April we’re asking fans which nation they think will make up the majority of the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad, England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales?
Have your say now in the rugby.com.au poll now.
