On a night marked by relentless rain and lightning threats, the Wallabies delivered a stunning performance to secure a 22-14 victory over the British and Irish Lions in the third Test at Stadium Australia. This victory not only prevented a series whitewash but also highlighted the Wallabies' determination and grit.

Dominant First Half

The Wallabies set the tone early with Dylan Pietsch scoring a try and Tom Lynagh adding a penalty, leading 8-0 at halftime. The intense first half saw several players, including Maro Itoje and Tommy Freeman, fail head injury assessments due to the physical nature of the game.

Weather Interruption

Play was suspended for 40 minutes due to lightning, adding to the drama. Upon resumption, the Wallabies capitalized on a Lions' mistake, with Max Jorgensen scoring in the corner. Ben Donaldson's conversion extended the lead to 15-0.

Lions' Fightback

The Lions showed resilience with Jac Morgan scoring a try, converted by Finn Russell, narrowing the gap to eight points. However, the Wallabies responded swiftly with Tate McDermott scoring their third try, effectively sealing the game.

Final Moments

Will Stuart scored a late try for the Lions, but it was too little, too late. The Wallabies' defense and tactical play throughout the match were instrumental in their victory.

Key Performers

• Will Skelton: Dominated the lineouts and was a constant threat.
• Taniela Tupou: Made a significant impact in his first appearance of the series.
• Ben Donaldson: Crucial conversions and steady play.

Conclusion

This match was a testament to the Wallabies' spirit and skill, offering a glimpse of a potentially brighter future for Australian rugby. The Lions, despite their series win, will reflect on this challenging finale.

Line-ups

Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Pietsch; Lynagh, White; Slipper, Pollard, Tupou, Frost, Skelton, Hooper, McReight, Wilson (capt). British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Kinghorn; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje (capt), Ryan, Beirne, Curry, Conan.

Match Officials

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ), Andrea Piardi (Ita) TMO: Marius Jonker (SA) Foul play review officer: Richard Kelly (NZ)