“We all had similar stories. We didn’t come from the most wealthy backgrounds, and our parents did as much as they could to put each of us in a position where we could excel in our life … so in that sense, we definitely connected a lot.”

The odds are stacked against the First Nations and Pasifika side due to their limited preparation together and given the ruthless manner in which the Lions took apart the more vaunted AUNZ side.

Meanwhile, star prop Taniela Tupou said he is “at peace” if the Marvel Stadium clash is his last game in Australia.

Tupou, who was released from the Wallabies camp to play for the First Nations and Pasifika team, has signed a two-year deal to play for Racing 92 in France at the end of his current contract.

There is strong speculation Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt won’t call on overseas-bound players for the Rugby Championship, and there would then be no certainty around Tupou’s involvement in the Rugby World Cup in 2027.

“Look, I’m here having fun, enjoying it, whatever happens, happens,” Tupou said of his Test future.

“So if I’m back, I’m back and if not, I’m living life, I’m enjoying it. Just play my footy tomorrow and then see what happens after that … hopefully I will play again, if not, then I’m at peace with it.”

The Lions, who named a strong team with Owen Farrell as captain, have spoken about going undefeated on their tour of Australia. But they’ve also called in five players just to play in this fixture, to protect Test stars.

Asked if the First Nations and Pasifika players felt like they being underestimated, hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa said: “We know that, we know that very well, we know that they’re not really focused on us, and that’s okay.

“I guess we don’t really want to talk about it too much, we just want to show them what we’re made of and what we can do – what we’ve got essentially,” he said.

Paenga-Amosa said the side would need more than a free-flowing Barbarians-style approach to beat the Lions.

Gamble and his teammates watched the AUNZ team’s 48-point defeat in Adelaide and are motivated to put in a superior performance to create a legacy for the First Nations and Pasifika squad that could follow them on the Lions next tour of Australia.

“We’re not going out there just to make numbers up, he said. “You go to every game and you’re wanting to win, because otherwise, what’s the point? What’s the point of even taking the field?”

All nine matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.