By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Wallabies icon Toutai Kefu has called on Australia's forwards to bring fire and fury in the series-opener against the British & Irish Lions and defy the doomsayers tipping a 3-0 whitewash for the hosts.

Rugby union has slipped off the back pages and into crisis in Australia. The arrival of the British and Irish Lions might have come just in time to save the sport.

Finn Russell may be on his third British & Irish Lions tour but the 32-year-old Scotland flyhalf will wear the red number 10 shirt for the first time in a test on Saturday when he takes the field against Australia.

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World Rugby ripped up the history books and appointed British and Irish referees to officiate on a Lions tour. Not just any Lions tour; this was a tour to the rugby heartland of South Africa. And though Nigel Owens,

Akuso Suaalii has sparked curiosity with his warm-up routine involving juggling and peripheral awareness drills.

The sold-out sign has gone up at Suncorp Stadium, with a bumper crowd expected ahead of the first Test between the British & Irish Lions and Wallabies in Brisbane. The 52,500 capacity stadium is set to be filled as fans fill the city in anticipation of the opener on Saturday, delighting Wallabies captain Harry Wilson.

The British & Irish Lions have rarely been as heavily favoured to win a test as they will be for their opening clash with Australia on Saturday, even if you might not guess it listening to coach Andy Farrell.

The Lions’ scrum has been strong all tour but the unit of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong has been particularly good. Genge gives you carrying power, Sheehan the athleticism of a centre. Maro Itoje, the captain, was always a certainty along with Jack Conan at No8, despite Earl’s best efforts.