Sione Tuipulotu ruled out of ‘crazy' Wallabies-Lions homecoming in Melbourne with hamstring injury
Tuipulotu, who started in the centres in Brisbane, has been left out of match-day 23 altogether, with Irishman Bundee Aki preferred at No.12, as the Lions try to wrap up the series in Melbourne on Saturday.
Tuipulotu, who grew up in Melbourne before shifting to Scotland where he captains the national side, reportedly has a hamstring injury.
'It is kind of crazy,' the 28-year-old said just days earlier.
'To go back to Melbourne this week and hopefully play in front of my family ... the stars have aligned for me.'
Four days after captaining the Lions in the midweek win over the First Nations and Pasifika, Farrell, the son of coach Andy Farrell, will make his first Test appearance since the 2023 World Cup after being named on the bench.
Farrell made three changes to the starting line-up that won the first Test 27-19, with lock Joe McCarthy unable to overcome a foot injury, with Olli Chessum the new face.
Andrew Porter will start at loosehead ahead of Ellis Genge, forming an all-Irish front row.
Aki will partner Scotsman Huw Jones in midfield, while the back three of Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Tommy Freeman is unchanged from the first Test.
Coach Farrell said they were expecting a 'massive reaction' from the Wallabies after their disappointment at the 27-19 loss in the opening match in Brisbane.
'We have put ourselves in a good position after the first Test, but we know there will be a massive reaction from this Wallaby team,' Farrell said in a statement.
'Everyone saw the quality they have in Brisbane and we know we will have to be a lot better than we were last week.
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