- Mail Sport’s Nik Simon and Kev Quigley are going behind the scenes Down Under
- Pair were given the keys to InterContinental Sydney’s Presidential Opera Suite
- Sonny Bill Williams punched Nik Simon in the gut — although it was consensual
Nik and Kev’s gonzo Lions tour adventures continued as they touched down on Australia’s east coast.
From sleeper trains to presidential suites overlooking Sydney’s Opera House – oh, and stepping into the boxing ring with Sonny Bill Williams – there has been plenty to write home about.
Here is what the guys got up to in the second episode of Roar & Uncut, in association with Dr Squatch.
MONDAY
Ahead of his heavyweight fight against Paul Gallen next week, Sonny Bill Williams put us through our paces at the Opetaia Boxing Club on the Gold Coast.
‘Don’t worry about technique, this is all about heart,’ he told us.
After a couple of sweaty rounds on the bags, I agreed to take to take a punch in the guts from one of sport’s greatest specimens.
Safe to say we earned our fish and chips down at the local seafood market, before bedding down at the Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre, by IHG for some well-earned rest.
TUESDAY
The guys at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary invited us to see some adorable Australian wildlife.
There were kangaroos, dingoes, birds of prey and, of course, koalas.
Billie Eilish and Pink have taken time to visit the nature hotspot on their world tours so we were in good company.
We got up close and personal with a koala as he was feeding on eucalyptus leaves, before dashing back into town for the Lions’ captain’s run!
WEDNESDAY
Game day in Brisbane as the Lions maintained their unbeaten run on tour, with a victory over the Queensland Reds.
We went for a pre-match run along the banks of the Brisbane River, where new skyscrapers are popping up every month in preparation for the 2031 Olympic Games.
THURSDAY
Having grown used to the highlife through our partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, the guys left behind their life of luxury for a night on the sleeper train, travelling from Brisbane to Sydney.
Due to strong winds, part of the track was out of action, meaning we spent most of the 600-mile overnight journey on a replacement bus.
The travel disruptions meant there was no food left in the buffet carriage but somehow we found a way to get a pizza delivered for a very quick stop on the platform at Coffs Harbour.
FRIDAY
We arrived at the spectacular InterContinental Sydney, located in the old Treasury building, overlooking the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
IHG are accommodating the Lions over the next few weeks and their Sydney showstopper has been home to famous guests over the years, such as Angelina Jolie, Cher and Barack Obama.
Somehow, we talked their way into the hotel’s Presidential Opera Suite, lapping up the five-star grandeur with panoramic views and enjoying our own piano!
The team at Destination NSW pulled out all the stops to welcome the travelling media into town, throwing a memorable dinner in the historic Long Bar at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sydney will stage the Ashes later this year and Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg popped along to remind everyone that England have not won the urn since 2015.
SATURDAY
Setting their alarms for 6am on a beautiful winter morning, the guys were taken on a sunrise tour of the harbour by the team at Sydney by Kayak.
The water shimmered like a mirror under the pink skies; enjoyed with a flat-white out on the water.
As well as learning about the famous residents who have lived in the harbour – such Nicole Kidman, John Travolta and Russel Crowe – the guide also showed some of their conversation projects, including the living seawall boulders they have installed to home wildlife.
Roar & Uncut comes to you in association with Dr Squatch, ensuring Nik and Kev are the best-smelling guys on tour.
For more information on visiting Sydney, go to https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/
