Rugby Union | Australia 22 -12 British and Irish Lions
Some pride restored for Australia
It wasn't the perfect ending but still a memorable tour for the British and Irish Lions
Author | Peter Grainger
In torrential Sydney rain, with lightning strikes forcing a suspension in play, Australia salvaged pride with a riotous victory over the British and Irish Lions in the third and final Test at Stadium Australia.
Though the series had already been clinched by the Lions with wins in the opening two matches, the Wallabies produced their most compelling performance of the tour, outscoring the visitors by three tries to two in wild, storm-lashed conditions.
Dylan Pietsch’s early try and a Tom Lynagh penalty gave the hosts an 8-0 lead by the break in what had already become a bruising, ill-tempered contest.
Maro Itoje, Tommy Freeman and Lynagh were all forced off after failing head injury assessments, while James Ryan was knocked unconscious in a distressing collision with the knee of Will Skelton shortly after half-time. As medics treated Ryan, skirmishes erupted around the field, and play was soon halted altogether when lightning was reported in the vicinity. Just 43 minutes had been played.
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After a 40-minute delay and a brief warm-up, both teams returned, but it was the Lions who blinked first. A loose pass was pounced upon by Max Jorgensen, who raced away to score in the corner. Substitute Ben Donaldson added the extras to make it 15-0.
Jac Morgan’s try, converted by Finn Russell, briefly narrowed the deficit, but the Wallabies responded with a third try through Tate McDermott, capitalising on Ronan Kelleher’s time in the sin-bin. Donaldson converted again to extend the lead beyond reach.
Will Stuart’s late effort offered a flicker of resistance, but the result had long been settled. While the Lions leave with the series, it was the Wallabies who had the final say on a chaotic, storm-struck night in Sydney.
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