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British and Irish Lions: Robbie Deans ready for Brisbane Test

Australia coach Robbie Deans insists his side will be "hit the ground running" against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

Epic occasion

Deans confirmed his line-up for the first Test earlier on Thursday, with the Lions revealing their hand a little while later. And having seen the Lions side, Deans now can't wait for the action to get underway at the Suncorp Stadium. "It is a strong combination. They have been building their combinations and building their game, they've played very well," he said. "We know it is going to be a tough Test match. We intend to bring a fair amount to that, just as the Lions will. It is going to be an epic occasion. "For those of us lucky to witness it 2001 was huge. I trust that our systems have improved so we won't have as much red in the audience but the occasion itself will be special." Deans has handed the No 10 shirt to James O'Connor - with Berrick Barnes at full-back, Christian Lealiifano at inside centre and Kurtley Beale on the bench. And the talented Rebels playmaker is confident that the new-look combinations can come together. "It is going to be a huge occasion," he added. "From what we have seen from the Lions so far, they have brought that physicality and their 'A' game. I am very much looking forward to the game. "I have some good support around me. There are guys in the team that can control the game really well. What we've done on the training pitch, if we can take into the game then we will be playing some good footy. "You can build combinations on the training pitch and I think we have done that. I am very confident in how things are going and how we have gelled as a team." Watch every Lions game live only on Sky Sports. Click here to sign up or upgrade now.

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