British and Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips has expressed his desperation to try to end his hoodoo against Australia having come out on the losing side of his nine previous meetings against them.
The 30-year-old has never beaten the men in gold despite boasting one of the most decorated careers of the current squad, and will come up against rival Will Genia when they clash with the Wallabies on Saturday.
Genia, who many believe is the best in the world in their position, currently holds a 6-0 lead in head-to-head encounters with his opposite number, but Phillips is relishing the chance to put that right on this year's tour.
"Will is a top player who has played well for a number of years. He certainly makes them tick and it is going to be a good battle - and one I am looking forward to if I am given the chance," Phillips told the official Lions site.
"I've played well for the last four or five years and I am fairly comfortable with where I am and with my performances. I just have to go out there and deliver again - that's all I am concentrating on doing and being a part of a winning team this time.
"There are similar feelings around the squad. We have bonded well and we are comfortable with each other. We have all got on really well off the field. The business end of the tour is coming up and we all know we are going to be judged on that. That is what we are concentrating and focussing on and you can sense the boys are really gearing up for the forthcoming Test."
The Lions face the Brumbies on Tuesday before their opening Test clash with Australia just four days later.
Matt Cotton
