Sometimes when you're facing the Lions, it’s worth celebrating the early wins.
Force legend Matt Hodgson led the first Force side to face the British & Irish Lions in 2013 when a sold-out Paterson Stadium (known as Subiaco Oval) welcomed the touring squad 12 years ago.
Watch every match of the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
The Lions were dominant in the 69-17 victory, featuring legends of the game, including captain Brian O’Driscoll, Alun Wyn Jones, and Irish ace Johnny Sexton.
Comparatively, the Force were fighting for their Super Rugby season, with a game against the Waratahs four days later forcing them to manage their squads.
“It's quite funny just watching a few highlights that they're starting to put out to promote the game and you just look at the list that they had like O’Driscoll, Wyn Jones, [Sean] O’Brien. We were quite fortunate that we played probably one of their strongest touring match team as it was leading into a Test match,” Hodgson said to Rugby.com.au.
“I think even that night I was fortunate to win the coin toss against O’Driscoll so we started the game 1-0 that night [laughs].
“I think that was a memory that was pretty special to shake hands and go up against someone like him.
“[Captaining] was a special moment and something that you forever will remember, it goes down as definitely in the top there.”
The Force are renowned for their ‘Sea of Blue’ fan base that powers them home at every home game.
But Hodgson knows better than anyone that the Sea will have a significant tinge of Red - and he encouraged the players to soak it up.
“It's something that you don't realise that the impact it has until actually you run out the tunnel,look around the crowd and see the number of people there that are once supporting the game but are in the Lions jersey or the Welsh, Irish or English jersey,” he remarked.
“It's the closest thing to emulating a Test match type feel and ambience. It's pretty exciting for the players as they run out of that tunnel to look up and see the Sea of Blue there, but also the sea of red that will be flooding the stadium.”
Hodgson is now working behind the scenes at the Force as the Director of Strategic Projects, following guiding the club back to Super Rugby as the GM of Rugby.
He understands the power that the Lions tour will have in growing the club’s profile and inspiring a new generation of WA-born and bred talent, like Wallaby Carlo Tizzano.
“I think the opportunity to play the Lions only occurs every 12 years, and some people go through their whole career and actually don't get to play the Lions, so for the Western Force to play the Lions on the 28th of June is pretty exciting,” he said.
“Doubling that is to launch off the Lions campaign within Australia, there’s no better way to start a series, and I know the boys are out training and even out at Optus [Stadium] preparing for the game, and they're all excited to participate in it.
“I think it's exciting because it's not just a traditional rugby fan, it's anyone that likes a sporting event [who are engaged by Lions tours].
“To have the Lions, four great nations on our shores, puts rugby at the forefront and will be just in the media for the whole week, promoting the game and showing an exhibition come the Saturday. It’s pretty exciting for the whole code…I think anyone who likes sports will come out and see the festival.”
