When Ryan Lonergan and Mack Hansen were growing up, they dreamt of playing in a British and Irish Lions tour.
But the childhood friends would not have thought they'd be lining up on opposing sides.
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There'll be little time for reminiscing when the two Canberra boys face off - Lonergan captaining the ACT Brumbies, and Hansen on the bench for the Lions - at GIO Stadium on Wednesday night.
The pair played together coming through the ranks of the Brumbies and the Canberra Vikings before Hansen moved to Connacht in 2021 and switched allegiances to Ireland, care of his mum Diana hailing from Castlemartyr in County Cork.
No hard feelings from his old mate then?
"Yeah, super special to be able to go up against Mack. I'm sure he'll be talking heaps of s***, as he always does," Lonergan said.
"We've been great mates since we were about 12, really.
"I remember talking to him when he was thinking about leaving and he was just chasing the opportunity, really. We had a pretty set back three here at the time, and he just took a stab and went overseas.
"As a good friend you want to see him go and make the most of his opportunity, and he's done that. He's still being a character like I know he is, so yeah, super happy for him."
Lonergan was in the crowd the last time the Brumbies hosted the Lions in 2013.
The titans of Australian rugby were the only non-Test side to defeat the tourists then and are hoping to do the same this year, with the Lions having already swept aside the Western Force, Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.
Also watching on from the stands was Lonergan's brother Lachie, who will start for the Brumbies at hooker, and Hansen.
"I grew up playing against them (the Lonergans) my whole life, so it will be nice," said winger Hansen.
"They're two of my best mates. I haven't played against them in a while, so it will be a nice little switch-up.
"It will be an interesting experience, I don't know how I will feel until I'm out on the field.
"It won't be until afterwards that I can take it all in, but it's going to be a great moment for myself and my family. Playing against my friends, it's going to be cool."
