The British and Irish Lions and Australia go into today’s decisive third test knowing that however titanic the struggle, however brilliant the rugby, history will remember only a series winner and loser.

Little has separated the sides in two intense and dramatic matches, the Lions winning by two points in the opener in Brisbane and the Wallabies by a single point in the second in Melbourne last week.

For the Lions the last 80 minutes of their five-week trip is a do-or-die chance to mark their 125th anniversary tour with a first series triumph since 1997 in South Africa.

Recent history Down Under is on the side of the Wallabies, with the Lions in 1989 and the hosts in 2001 having ridden the momentum of second-test victories to clinch 2-1 comeback series wins.

Both coaches have rolled the dice in their final selections with contrasting results for two veterans of the 2001 campaign.

Lions centre Brian O’Driscoll has been axed while Wallabies flanker George Smith is recalled after four years in international retirement.

Visiting coach Warren Gatland has probably taken the bigger gamble by discarding Europe’s best player over the last decade who also has four Lions tours experience.

Instead, the New Zealander has put much of his faith in the players he has coached to Six Nations success for Wales and a Lions record-equalling 10 of them will take to the field at the start of today’s test.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has no doubt the 32-year-old Smith will manage it in some style and help secure the quick ball that Israel Folau can thrive on.

“He’s in better shape now than when he left,” said Deans. “He’s incredibly strong over the ball. Hard to move and is very effective.”