Rugby at the 'G: Hype or Hope?

With a game that had it all — a red-hot start from the Wallabies, 90,000 people packed into the MCG, and a British & Irish Lions comeback soaked in controversy — Melbourne well and truly showed up.

But did rugby finally win the city over?

British & Irish Lions warm up in the rain at the MCG

There were two games in Melbourne.

The first was at Marvel Stadium — Lions vs First Nations & Pasifika XV — a late change after the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels.

30,420 showed up, loud and proud, for what turned into a proper celebration of culture, community, and the soul of southern hemisphere rugby.

But it was always going to be the MCG game that mattered.

90,307 fans.

That’s a statement.

The Wallabies came out swinging.

The Lions hit back.

And then came the chaos, a dying stages controversy.

It was box office.

It was edge-of-your-seat stuff.

It was what rugby in Melbourne needed.

But does one night at the ‘G change everything?

British & Irish Lions players celebrate after the last minute win

Let’s be real.

Melbourne has flirted with union before.

Bledisloe tests.

The Rebels’ early days.

Even the 2013 Lions tour saw a healthy crowd rock up at Docklands.

The glory days are over, but this could be the start of the next resurgence.

Wallabies' players leave the MCG after the last minute loss

It was big.

It was loud.

It was the MCG — a cathedral of sport where only the truly elite get to shine.

And rugby did shine.

For a night.

The problem?

A night isn’t a season.

And one-off events don’t fix structural cracks.

The Rebels are gone.

The pathways are unclear.

And if Rugby Australia walks away thinking job done — we’ll be back in the same spot come 2027.

But there’s hope.

Rugby’s not dead in Melbourne.

Far from it.

If anything, the Lions just gave it a chance and the city responded.

So what’s next?

A reimagined professional team?

A long-term partnership with Victoria?

More Test matches at the ‘G?

Whatever it is — the time to plan it is NOW.

Because the truth is this:

Melbourne showed up for rugby.

Now rugby has to show up for Melbourne.