By Claire Reilly

After announcing its decision to sponsor the Qantas Wallabies, Test Rugby and the Super Rugby Competition in June last year, Samsung is gearing up for one of the biggest matches of the sponsorship when the Wallabies take on the British and Irish Lions in Sydney tomorrow night.

Both the Wallabies and the Lions come into the third and final match of the Tom Richards Cup Test with a win under their belts — the Lions snagged a two-point win in the first match of the tour in Brisbane, while the Wallabies edged out the Lions with a last minute conversion in the second game in Melbourne.

The pressure is on the local team, with the Wallabies only taking two tour victories since 1899, and the Lions not set to return for another 12 years. Some of that pressure will fall onto the shoulders of Australia’s third-highest capped player, George Smith, who will pull on the Wallabies jersey tomorrow night, four years after last appearing on an Australian test team.

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Rugby talk aside, Samsung has been driving a big marketing campaign throughout the Lions Tour and in the lead-up to the final game: the brand has organised store appearances and launched a dedicated microsite for Rugby fans featuring content from veteran commentators Roy Slaven and HG Nelson, as well as a competition offering $50,000 worth of Samsung prizes.

Known as Samsung Stadium, the microsite allows users to download an app (for either Android or iOS devices) giving access to live commentary from Roy and HG and a social media feed for commenting during the game. Logging into Samsung Stadium also allows users to share their thoughts on the matches to win Samsung products.

According to Samsung Electronics Australia marketing manager Arno Lenior, the brand is “thrilled” to have Roy and HG heading up their Lions Tour campaign.

“I’m looking forward to hearing what Roy and HG have to say about the games and I know fans will want to hear their comedic perspective on the action, the controversies, the big hits and everything else that happens on the field.”

For rugby followers that didn’t snag tickets to the game on Saturday, Samsung brought four of the Wallabies out for a store appearance at the Samsung Experience Store in Sydney yesterday, where they signed autographs and chatted to fans.

Wallabies showing off their winning legs. From left to right: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Liam Gill, Rob Horne and Benn Robinson.

And with a look at the kind of banter we can expect from Roy and HG, here’s a teaser video from Samsung. We do wonder whether the brand’s marketing team took any issue with Roy Slaven’s colourful language in this little snippet — let’s just hope he uses Samsung blue language on the night.

Claire's Tip:

Australian Wallabies 17
British & Irish Lions 14
(thanks to a kick at the 80th minute, of course)

Patrick's Tip:

Australian Wallabies 15
British & Irish Lions 18
(no tries)