Arizona Tribune - Battered Wallabies determined to deny Lions a whitewash

The hosts head on to the clash in Sydney on Saturday on the back of two agonising defeats, with the last-minute 29-26 loss in Melbourne a week ago sapping energy from the team.

They are without injured flanker Rob Valetini, prop Allan Alaalatoa and wing Harry Potter, with their problems compounded by hooker David Porecki being ruled out Friday with a heel issue.

Billy Pollard has been promoted to the starting side in place of Porecki, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa drafted into the squad as backup.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, Wilson said the team was determined to do Australia proud and prevent a Lions whitewash.

"It does take a little bit to get over a tough loss like that (in Melbourne) and for us it was just about going back to our preparation," he said.

"On Tuesday I was really proud of the group, about the session we had. We went there, everyone was a bit quiet, but once we went across that white line the energy was back.

"We quickly put the loss on the back burner and just wanted to focus on getting the preparation right.

"We've really tried to build it internally because this is still such a massive match."

Lions coach Andy Farrell spoke on Thursday about the "massive responsibility" his team feels to finish their tour on a high, naming a strong starting XV.

Wilson said the Wallabies were also highly motivated after going so close in the second Test.

"I do feel like it has been a tight series and we want to go out there, we want to get the win. Obviously sitting here at 2-0, it's not the best situation," he said.

"But I feel as if a lot of Australians are believing in us and the support we've been given this week has been pretty unbelievable.

"We really feel like we need to go out there and put a performance in for Australia to be proud.

"We want them to be truly believing in us and that's for us to go back-to-back with (big) performances, and we need to go out there and get that win."

P.A.Mendoza--AT