Ben Alexander: Wallaby Pride, Lions Agony, and Australian Rugby's Golden Opportunity

18 June 2025

The British and Irish Lions tour is a rugby spectacle that graces Australian shores only once every 12 years, making it an incredibly rare and cherished event for players and fans alike. For Ben Alexander, a Wallaby stalwart with 72 caps between 2008 and 2014, being part of the 2013 series was "a real pinch me moment," a dream far beyond his expectations as a young rugby fan.

The Unforgettable Roar: A Player's Lions Experience
Alexander vividly recalls watching the iconic 2001 series as a schoolboy, never imagining he'd one day be on the field. The rarity of a Lions tour means many long-serving players never get to experience it. He highlights the palpable excitement that grips Australia when the Lions arrive, with streets "packed of people wearing red" – a atmosphere akin to a World Cup. For a nation where rugby often battles for attention against AFL and rugby league, the Lions tour provides a unique opportunity for the sport to be "front and centre."

His memories of the 2013 series are a mix of immense pride and bitter disappointment. He fondly remembers earning his 50th Wallaby cap in the crucial second Test in Melbourne, a dramatic one-point victory that forced a decider. The pressure leading into that final match in his home city of Sydney was immense, and he even harboured plans to propose to his girlfriend (now wife) if the Wallabies secured the series.

However, the third Test saw a crushing defeat for Australia, with Alexander himself being sin-binned early on in what was a heavily scrutinised scrum performance from the Wallabies. "It was really weird going from the most proud you have felt in your whole life to the most humiliated in the space of 20 minutes," he admits, revealing the emotional toll of the loss. It took him "a long time to sort of get over that," struggling with the finality of a Lions series defeat compared to the regular cycle of Grand Finals or World Cups. Yet, looking back, he's "so proud and feels so lucky to have been a part of something so special, something unique to rugby."

A Golden Opportunity: Resetting Australian Rugby
The upcoming Lions tour arrives at a crucial juncture for Rugby Australia. After a period of financial struggles and a dismal World Cup campaign in 2023, Alexander believes this tour, alongside hosting the 2027 Rugby World Cup, offers a "massive cash injection" and a "fresh start" for the game.

He acknowledges that Australian rugby faces stiff competition from AFL and rugby league for public attention. To truly re-engage fans, the Wallabies must "play a great brand of footy and win the series." Even if they don't win, he stresses the importance of "going down swinging" and putting on performances that make Australians proud, unlike the disappointing end to the 2013 series. He sees this tour as a vital chance to "build momentum and build excitement" for the 2027 Home World Cup.

Wallaby Bolters and Scrum Battles
Alexander, a proud Brumbies fan, names several exciting prospects he hopes to see in the Wallabies squad. He champions Corey Toole, a "lightning fast" winger he likens to Cheslin Kolbe, and young hooker Billy Pollard, whom he expects to become a "world class" player. He also throws his support behind flanker Lukey Rymer, a "smokey" who consistently makes an impact off the bench, and the potential return of James O'Connor for what would be a "great story."

As a former front-rower, Alexander highlights the pivotal role of the scrum in this series. While acknowledging the 2013 issues, he believes the current Wallabies possess a strong scrum with "much bigger boys" like Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou. He anticipates a "clash of styles" between Australia's desire for an "up tempo, fast game" and the Lions' preference for a slower, more deliberate approach. The refereeing of the breakdown and how much "slowing the game down" is tolerated will be crucial.

Series Prediction: A Decider Beckons
Forecasting the outcome, Alexander predicts the series will "definitely go to a decider." While the Lions enter as favourites, he believes the gap has "narrowed" since 2013, with England and Scotland improving. He'd be "shocked" if it didn't go to three Tests, and while he still sees the Lions as favourites in a decider, he's confident the Wallabies "can win."

He points to the Wallabies' recent victories over England and Wales as evidence of their progress. Despite the Lions' formidable depth from four nations, Alexander stresses the importance of Australia having their "fittest, best team" and a bit of "luck with injury." He invites Lions fans to join the atmosphere at The Dock pub in Canberra for the Brumbies game, celebrating the local side's historic 2013 victory over the tourists.

For Ben Alexander's full, passionate reflections on the Lions tour, the future of Australian rugby, and much more, make sure to listen to This Sporting Planet's podcast and watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.