For much of Saturday the backdrop had been pretty similar to the first test in Brisbane. Along the trendy, riverfront, southbank area half a mile or so from Colonial Stadium, the clientele eating al fresco at one of the many restaurants could indulge in another game of Spot the Wallaby.

It took an hour and 15 minutes at one stage of the afternoon for a gold-clad supporter to walk by and draw some cheering for the outnumbered locals. One striking, gold-clad blonde girl and her green-shirted boyfriend bravely held hands, despite plenty of good-natured advice from the locals to "stop fraternising with the enemy".

Otherwise there were the usual renditions from the quartet of nationalities flying under the Lions flag. Groups of English supporters though seem to have adopted Brian O'Driscoll as they indulged in the variety of "Waltzing O'Driscoll" ditties doing the rounds, complete with synchronised touchdowns - surely the ultimate imprimatur.

Maybe, contrary to Stuart Barnes' observation at Twickenham two seasons ago that O'Driscoll must have been wishing he was wearing white, it's the English supporters who wish he was one of theirs.

There were the normal "Swing Low" anthem or chants of "Li-ons" or "I'd rather be a Lions than a (kanga) roo." A Scottish bagpipe player, typical of his kilted brethren, was more inclined to involve others as he stopped at virtually every restaurant; even English fans joined in Flower of Scotland and demanded that the Sasenachs be sent homeward bound again.

Verily, Melbourne has never seen anything like this strange mix of foreign invaders, which ensured a record Colonial Stadium attendance of 56,605 - eclipsing the previous record by 6,000.