But that is what makes this tour all the more important. It is crucial that it leaves us with memorable rugby and images. This Lions tour is a little different from any of its predecessors in the professional era, primarily because it finds its hosts at its lowest ebb.
The Wallabies have nothing like the celebrated names of a dozen years ago - Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Israel Folau - never mind the 2001 vintage of John Eales, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Joe Roff et al.
The hoped-for “saviour” of Australian rugby, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, is probably the most celebrated player in the current Wallabies crop. However, that is in large part due to his achievements in rugby league and his acquisition has bucked the increasing trend of recent times.
Pundits and supporters of rugby league and Aussie rules appear to be more dismissive towards rugby union than 12 or 24 years ago. They are more powerful financially and league now aggressively targets young players in rugby union, while Aussie rules is dipping more into the Pacific islands.
[ Jamie Osborne among four Irish to start for Lions against First Nations and Pasifika XVOpens in new window ]
Rugby Australia cannot really compete and is around Aus$50 million in debt. While the Lions were not conceived as a lifeblood for the southern hemisphere countries, this tour is expected to not just cancel that debt, but bring it Aus$50 million into the black.
But just as importantly, in a rugby sense, the Wallabies need to demonstrate this can indeed be the start of the golden era. Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh believes it is possible two years out from a men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. A women’s World Cup will follow in 2029, and then the Olympics in Brisbane 2032.
But what if the Lions reaffirm their supremacy of last Saturday in the second and third Tests and complete a convincing 3-0 series win? And what if that is followed by another last-place finish in the Rugby Championship and another pool exit in a World Cup, and one on home soil?
The Lions will surely tour here again 12 years hence, but there is no long-term Tour agreement and who knows what the future might hold? Joe Schmidt is a great coach but as things stand, this does not look like a vintage Wallabies generation.
In a sense, while it is a tad insulting to these Wallabies, the grand ambition which Henry Pollock revealed stacks up. By rights, the Lions should win this series 3-0 if they want to be considered even above the norm.
The non-financial stakes are high over the next two Saturdays in Melbourne and Sydney. Ideally, it could be argued, the greatest legacy from this 2025 Lions tour would be to help provide a relaunch for the Wallabies and rugby union in Australia, while fulfilling the Lions’ stated desire for greatness and a 3-0 series win.