With the first test of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour only days away, thoughts inevitably turn to the last time Australia tasted a series victory over the old foe in 2001.
If there is one thing Owen Finegan and Joe Roff remember, it is the experience of playing in front of such an incredible crowd.
Final tickets still available! Get your tickets for the British & Irish Lions tour here
The two Wallaby legends have been following the tour around, most notably in Canberra, where the Brumbies went down swinging against a near full-strength Lions outfit, 36-24, with Finegan once again getting caught up in the buzz.
"2001 was amazing to be playing in it," Finegan said.
"But to also witness it in 2013 as a spectator just to see the banter and the vibe and the sea of red that comes into every town and every state - it's actually quite an experience.
"Obviously winning in 2001, although it was 24 years ago, is still a fond memory."
Finegan himself had an idea of what was coming, having an Irish background himself, and knowing that many of his family would likely be wearing the red jersey to support the Lions.
However, the special nature of the Lions makes the matches even more special, and after that first test in 2001, he admitted it brings something out in players wearing the gold jersey.
"I think at the Wallabies level, the only other team you can play for is the Barbarians," he said.
"It's like an Olympics for every person that plays for the four nations. Every four years they get a chance to step up and represent and be able to take on either South Africa, the All Blacks or the Wallabies - so it's an amazing opportunity to be able to be part of that.
"To play the first test in the Gabba and walk into that stadium and just see nothing but red jerseys and every time there's a bit of silence all you can hear is them chanting 'Lions', it's pretty intimidating when you're playing in your own country - the supporters really make the tour.
"Brian O'Driscoll had an amazing game in that first one, scored a couple of tries through the middle. The banter from the fans - I believe they were singing 'Waltzing O'Driscoll' all the way home!"
"The Lions supporters are some of the best in the world," said Roff.
"All mixing in together, having a wonderful time and celebrating the goodness of our game. Let's just hope that translates out onto the pitch where it's high conflict, it's competitive and there are no prisoners out on the field - but in and around the game we celebrate all that's good about rugby."
Roff also enjoyed a strong series in 2001, featuring in all three Test matches against the Lions - and it's a series he continues to be asked about by Australian, British and Irish fans.
"The [2001] test series is the one that I get asked most about," he said.
"You don't realise how special it is until you're reflecting on your own career and there's the nostalgia, but it was such a special series that realistically it came down to the last play of the last test in front of a packed stadium in Sydney.
"There were so many elements to it, it's no surprise that the history will tell the story that that was one of the great series that rugby's ever seen anywhere.
"It is something that I get reminded about a lot which is really special to know that you were part of a wonderful series - there were so many elements to that series that that was just a moment in time.
"More so than anything, the honour of playing against the British and Irish Lions is one that I get to reflect on and share with my children and my grandchildren, and so for that I feel a significant honour."
While both Wallaby legends enjoyed the trip down memory lane, the 2025 series hangs over both - and with the first test just days away, both recognise how much of a challenge the Andy Farrell-coached side will be - but also, how being the underdogs works heavily in the Wallabies' favour.
While many pundits - including Lions' Henry Pollock - are calling the series a 3-0 sweep to the Lions (the first time they've clean swept a tour was 1936 in Argentina), Roff and Finegan expect it to be anything but a walkover.
"I think every time the Lions have come here, it's been one-all going into the final game - I hope to see the same," said Finegan.
"[The Wallabies are] a quality team that's improving, they were pushed by Fiji the last game, but they beat England, pushed Ireland to the edge...I imagine this series will be pretty much the same tied all the way.
"I think the advantage the Lions get coming into the first test is they've got some consistency in their football, they've built some combinations and they've had a lot of time with each other."
"I think part of the joy of this Lions series is that the coaches know each other very well, Andy and Joe Schmidt," said Roff.
"Coaches play coaches' games.
"[The Lions are] an exceptional team; it's well drilled, it's incredible that at the 50-60 minute mark, you can bring a bench like that onto the field.
"We're in admiration of the quality of this international side. It's a great advertisement for rugby.
"We know it's a significant challenge to come up against them - but that's the whole point of rugby: to pit yourself against the best in the world."
