Folau carry ‘doesn’t half put a smile on my face’ – North’s iconic Lions moment

Twelve years is a long time, not just for sports.

In the wintertime sunshine of June 2025, George North is practicing yoga on the north bank of the Brisbane River in the shadow of Story Bridge.

The former Wales winger claims that it is “probably the most Australian thing I’ve ever done.”

The sedate scene is far removed from the pulsing energy of the year-old North Irish Lions folklore.

No, not the equally jaw-droppingly brilliant 60-meter solo try from the first Test.

The second Test is taking place in Melbourne in the 60th minute. With nowhere to go, North has just received a through-the-legs pass from Brian O’Driscoll and is faced by his opposing number, Israel Folau, a winger with a 6′ 4″ and 17-stone stature.

North decides to pump his legs and use the Australia winger, who is now upside down on North’s back, as an improvised human battering ram, with the ball in hand. The hallucinations were thrown like skittles.

North recalls it in this manner, which is “a little silly, to be honest.” He continues, “Not my best thought.”

The Lions’ 137-year history is now defined by eminently legendary moments. The list goes on and on, starting with JPR or Jeremy Guscott’s drop-goals, Robert Jones arguing with Nick Farr-Jones, Sir Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer’s team talk, Matt Dawson’s dummy, O’Driscoll’s knife-through-butter try, and more.

The Lions lost by one point in the second Test, which North almost forgot happened in. It defined Australia’s 2013 2-1 series victory.

One thing North reveals to him when he interacts with Lions fans, as he did during his recent 10-day working vacation in Australia.

He claims that it’s most likely the Izzy Folau carry. Then it moves on to the drama and excitement that the Test series brought. Going to the decider [in 2013] was incredibly special both as a player and as a fan.

I never imagined I would be able to play for the Lions, and I never imagined I would be able to do so. I never imagined I would be able to do so, let alone travel twice to support your country.

After that tour, North’s life “got busy,” despite already winning the Six Nations.

He continues, “I’d just joined Northampton, so 2013 put me in a different bracket when I came home, and it was amazing to be recognized for what you do.”

What does he think of the British and Irish Lions, then? Is it that his 2013 or 2017 tour, which ended in injury before the start of his Test matches, was better?

“I consider the lions’ history. When you’re in that environment, you can’t help but feel and carry it, which is something he claims is incredible because it’s so special and unique.

“I was fighting hard every day and at my best,” I said, “because of the honor you have and the responsibility you have for that jersey.”

“It was probably the best rugby I’ve ever played,” I said in a personal statement. For me, it was undoubtedly a fantastic experience on the field, with the players I met, with the activities we engaged in, and with the opportunity to travel to such a wonderful country as Australia.

North, who won 121 caps for Wales, is still a 33-year-old fan and currently plays for Provence in the French second division. Does he miss it?

Like most ex-players, he reveals, “Do you know what, when I was]in Australia] I was going’maybe I can still go?”

I absolutely loved my tour, and I’m proud of what I did and did, but it’s time for these boys to start moving forward.

Does he have a 2025 forecast?

I was considering this,” I said. I’m going to go for Australia to win the first game, Lions to win the second, and then the third game to lose to Lions to win 2-1.

That is what, in my opinion, happened in 1989 to Australia.