There aren't many bigger stages than the British & Irish Lions for players, and the past six weeks in Australia have been a prime example of that.
The Lions tour has broken records across the board and with that, provided the stage for certain players to announce themselves to the world.
Whether it was in a tour or a Test match, several players lifted their standing with strong performances against the Lions in Australia.
Rugby.com.au ranks the top ten from the Australian tour.
Ieli hadn’t started before the Lions tour; however, he looked at home against seasoned Test veterans.
The damaging Fijian-born prop caused carnage for First Nations Pasifika alongside Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Taniela Tupou at scrum-time.
The 21-year-old has a bright future after featuring for Australia U20s 12 months ago.
Lonergan’s rise comes thanks to a combination of strong performances and the situation around the halves in Australia.
The Brumby skippered the side against the Lions and his kicking game caused them headaches in Canberra, keeping the hosts in the contest.
An injury to Jake Gordon and Nic White’s (delayed) retirement has Lonergan once again back on the verge of a Wallabies debut sometime in 2025.
There’s always one player that comes out of nowhere to make his name on a Lions tour and in 2025, that was McLeod.
The Brumby made his professional debut for First Nations Pasifika off the bench and thrived with his heavy carries and physical style of play.
With Len Ikitau heading overseas, the space is there for the former Australia U20s star to use this momentum and take the next step.
Ross is another player that Australian fans knew little about before the tour but instantly made an impact.
The former Chief joined the Reds straight after the Super Rugby Pacific Final and endeared himself against the Lions with a promising performance at Suncorp Stadium.
It was enough to catch the eyes of Wallabies coaches, earning his first call-up as he looms as the next waiting behind James Slipper and Angus Bell.
Paenga-Amosa holds a unique slice of history as the hooker faced the Lions for four different teams.
The hooker was a staple of the tour games and one of several that featured for both AUNZ and First Nations Pasifika.
He then found himself as the last hooker standing almost for the final Test when Matt Faessler and Dave Porecki went down with injury, producing a solid performance off the bench to cement his place in the Wallabies set-up.
Pietsch is the perfect example of a player taking their chances in a tour game and amplifying their Test ambitions.
The winger was electric in the Australian tour opener for the Force, slicing open the Lions and sending a message to selectors.
An injury to club teammate Harry Potter opened the door for his return in the final Test and he took the opportunity to deliver a blinder, scoring the opener while producing a heroic defensive display.
His designs also shone on the world stage, with the Wallabies, Force and Waratahs jerseys all created by the owner of Wulwaay.
Skelton’s standing as one of the best locks in the world has only been amplified by his sudden impact in the second and third Tests.
The La Rochelle lock is considered one of the best locks in Europe but in his own admission, that type of form had never seemed to translate in the gold jersey.
Now, the Wallabies are desperate to keep the towering second rower involved as much as possible after almost single-handedly monstering the Lions pack.
He’ll travel to South Africa to face the world champions, with his status beyond that to be confirmed.
Like Skelton, Jorgensen was already an established Test star, but his performances in the Lions Test series have him on the verge of being one of the best wingers in the world.
Jorgensen was the Wallabies best over the three Tests, creating constant opportunities and highlight moments out of nothing.
It was a true moment of arrival for the 20-year-old on the international stage, less than 12 months after his Wallabies debut.
You know you’ve done something right when UK journalists are openly asking about your contract details and whether you want to play in the Premiership.
Charlie Gamble picked up a host of new fans for his efforts for the NSW Waratahs and First Nations Pasifika, setting the blueprint on how to attack them at ruck time.
Gamble was the first Australian to pick up Player of the Match on the tour in a losing effort for FNP, proving a handful at the breakdown.
In a congested field of openside flankers, the former Canterbury product rocketed himself into contention.
When it comes to boosting their own stocks, no one took their chances better than Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
The Reds lock had three cracks at the Lions and got better with every game he played, thanks to his brutal physicality and his fierce approach.
The lock never took a backwards step, and he set the tone for how the Wallabies would approach the next two Tests.
Salakaia-Loto played with a point to prove and his call-up for the Rugby Championship proved he made it sound and clear.
