Australia v British & Irish Lions recap - Wallabies celebrate consolation victory as Andy Farrell's Lions take 2-1 series win
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Updated 02/08/2025 at 18:17 GMT+1
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The British & Irish Lions head to the Accor Stadium in Sydney looking to seal a series whitewash against Australia. Having won the first of their two tests down under, including a last-gasp victory in Melbourne a weak ago, Andy Farrell's side will look to make history with a first series whitewash since 1927.
Series sweep would 'mean the world to us', says Farrell - 'The Lions dream'
Video credit: SNTV
Lions' quest for history ends in disappointment as thunderous Wallabies triumph
A resurgent Australia gave the British and Irish Lions a bloody nose in the final Test of the tour, controlling the entire game en route to a resounding 22-12 victory in a match that was stopped for 40 minutes due to a lighting storm in Sydney.
A lightning strike with 10 kilometres of Stadium Australia forced players to leave the field just moments into the second half, though the truth was that chasing their first whitewash in almost a century, the Lions had never really turned up in the first place.
Playing like a side who'd celebrated a series win last week at the MCG, Andy Farrell's side didn't even get on the scoreboard until after the hour mark by which point Australia were in full control thanks to tries from flying wingers Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch.
A Wallaby side that were hungrier throughout the game simply blew the tourists away, making twice as many metres through contact as all of Joe Schmidt's changes impressed - Pietsch and Nic White in his final Test plus forwards Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou, the latter of whom made up for the loss of Rob Valentini with his barnstorming carrying.
Pietsch’s opener was the standout moment from the first half after superb handling from Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i while a Tom Lynagh penalty was the only other score in the opening 40 minutes.
The game looked to be over when Max Jorgensen scooped up a dropped Lions pass and streaked in from the halfway line, and though Jac Morgan’s try threatened to spark a comeback, the tourists invited pressure straight back onto themselves and Tate McDermott took full advantage to definitively put the game to bed with a snipe to the line from the base of a ruck.
Will Stuart bagged a consolation score with the clock in the red, by which point the Lions resembled the walking wounded after injuries to Tommy Freeman, Maro Itoje and Tom Curry.
It’s still a series win for the tourists - their first back-to-back wins in a country in the professional era following another 2-1 triumph in 2013 - but Australia can celebrate a statement victory that they’ll hope will revive rugby union in the country after years in the doldrums ahead of facing South Africa in the Rugby Championship.
Finn Russell: Man of the Series
The Scotsman has won a decorative vase for being crowned player of the series - it's effectively a massive glass pitcher which may well come in handy for the series win celebrations tonight.
It's also lovely to see James Ryan up and about after he took that Will Skelton knee to the head earlier.
What rugby is on TNT Sports?
Well that's the Lions tour over but the rugby action keeps on coming as you can watch the 2025 Autumn Nations Series and 2025/26 Gallagher PREM live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Full time: Australia 22-12 British & Irish Lions
The whitewash will have to wait at least another four years as Australia consumatly outfought the British and Irish Lions tonight.
Tries from James Pietsch, Max Jorgensen and Tate McDermott were enough to see off a somewhat beleagured tourist side who only got going in the final quarter, as scores from Jac Morgan and Will Stuart proved to be nothing but consolation.
81' TRY! Australia 22-12 British & Irish Lions (Stuart)
The prop bundles over for a consolation score, today is all about Australia though.
80' One last push
The Lions are back up to the full compliment following another penalty, can they get the last metre?
79' Try Lions?
Sheehan looked to have bundled over from the maul but the referee doesn't see a grounding and we continue inches out!
79' HUGE chance dropped
Earl surges through a gap and finds Beirne to continue the attack, yet the hulking flanker is dropped by two backs and loses control of the ball.
However, replays show it might've been a high tackle from Sua'ali'i with strong contact to the face while Earl was taken out off the ball so the Lions will get the chance to end their series on a high. Don't expect them to take it, mind.
77' Hungry for more
The Australians aren't done yet - the Lions series doesn't award bonus points but they're chasing a fourth score.
The way this game's gone, who'd bet against them?
74' All Australia's way
Lauded for his throwing into the lineout, Sheehan has had a horror show today and loses another lineout when Jeremy Williams steals the ball from Chessum. That's the last possible chance of a Lions comeback snuffed out, while Brandon Paenga-Amosa is the latest substitute to enter the field.
73' Walking wounded
The Lions finally find their feet, but too late. Morgan finds Sheehan on the wing and the hooker drrives through Pietsch before Australia take his offload into touch.
Mitchell is playing scrum-half, Gibson-Park is into the backline.
71' TRY! Australia 22-7 British & Irish Lions (McDermott)
That's almost certainly game over. McDermott takes the ball on himself after a couple of phases from the forwards and manages to get under Chessum's tackle, stretching out to touch down on the whitewash as Donaldson's conversion makes it a three-score game.
70' Lions hold firm... for now
They went iwth seven in the scrum but halt the first wave of Australian attack...
69' You win some you lose more
Quick hands from the Wallabies look destined to send Pietsch over for his second try, yet the winger can't gather Jorgensens's offload and drops the ball over the line.
It's not all bad news for the hosts though - Kelleher is penalised and can't say he wasn't warned - he's yellow carded and Australia opt for th scrum from the penalty so Sheehan returns.
And it gets worse for the Lions as Alex Mitchell must replace Curry who can't continue.
68' Oh so close
Ikitau trucks up and some teammates think he's scored - though the referee rules him just short.
Still, Australia have the advantage and are right on the line. They can't score out of the backs but Nika Amashukeli warns the Lions' third captain today, Tadgh Beirne, that one more foul will see a yellow card awarded.
Another maul coming up...
67' This is the game
McDermott is so dangerous sniping around the base of the ruck and Morgan puts his arm high trying to stop the scrum-half. So the Wallabies have a lineout five metres out, if they score here it's game over.
Tom Curry is struggling to continue but with Earl entering the game, he must stay on if he can.
65' Costly mistake?
That's tough on Hugo Keenan. Russell gathers the ball and does well to evade pressure before feeding the Irishman who kicks out, but he doesn't know Russell took the ball back into his 22 giving the Wallabies prime attacking position.
In other news, Ben Earl is on for Jack Conan - only Alex Mitchell remains on the bench.
64' TRY! Australia 15-7 British & Irish Lions (Morgan)
The Lions have rediscovered their roar! Eventually the Wallabies just ran out of defensive bodies and the Welshman blasts over - or does he?
Nika Amashukeli believes he saw a touchdown over the line though the replays aren't conclusive, and Russell slots the conversion.
63' INCHES away
THIS IS THE GAME! Morgan's strong carry under the posts has the Lions the closest they've been all game. They simply must score here.
62' HAVE to score
It's go time for the Lions. A clever Russell kick sparks the latest attack and the tourists stack phases in the 22. Australia can only stop them illegally though Aki makes another error offloading into touch.
The Lions may recieved another boost next as Tupou departs the field for Zane Nonggorr - who sounds like if One Direction did a crossover with Lord of the Rings.
60' Sums up the game
The Lions get a lucky bounce of the ball after a kicking battle as the ball ran to Aki who was sprinting out of the backfield at full pelt, but he knocks on - the kind of unfocussed error that's characterised this Lions performance.
There's another change from Joe Schmidt though and it's a big one - Nic White's international career is over (and what a way to finish) as Tate McDermott, one of the best number 21s in the world, is on.
59' Nothing in that
It's a bizarre check, apparently for a Nic White challenge on Russell that looked completely un-noteworthy.
So we return to a Lions lineout on halfway that Ronan Kelleher will throw into, as he's replaced Sheehan. Props Angus Bell and Will Stuart have also entered the fray.
58' TMO check
The Lions are given a lifeline when Harry Wilson knocks on from the kickoff, but again they fail to take advantage. There's changes for both sides coming, as Marius Jonker calls for a TMO check.
56' TRY! Australia 15-0 British & Irish Lions (Jorgensen)
Is that game over? The Lions go wide but as Kinghorn feeds Aki, the Irishman overruns his line and can't regather.
As has been the case all night, a Wallaby is first to the loose ball and as Kinghorn lambasts his teammate rather than reacting to the live ball, Jorgensen straks in from the halfway line.
And Donaldson nails the conversion too, making it a three-score lead for the hosts.
53' Compounding issues
Dare I say the Lions look like a side who celebrated a series win this week? Sheehan finds Chessum at the front of the lineout but the Lions knock on in midfield instead, meaning Australia have a scrum about 25 metres from their line.
50' Costly error from Jones
Russell is surrounded by gold shirts but unfurls a wondrous cross-kick for Scotland teammate Huw Jones as the stand-in winger.
However, Jones ruins it by kicking out on the full when Owen Farrell was steaming up on the inside. Thankfully Jac Morgan bails him out with a turnover for a penalty, but can Sheehan find his mark this time? It's five lost lineouts ahead of this...
47' Pressure on Dan
The new Lions captain has lost TWO lineouts back to back, costing his side valuable possession in Australian territory. They can't win the game if this continues.
44' Restarted at pace
Tupou flew through the Lions' defensive line but dropped the ball on his next chance, and then concedes a ruck penalty meaning the Lions can clear up towards halfway and get their first chance to strike after the restart.
Latest teams
Here's how the sides line up at the restart...
Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Sua’ali’i, Ikitau, Pietsch; Donaldson, White; Slipper, Pollard, Tupou; Frost, Skelton; Hooper, McReight, Wilson.
Remaining subs: Paenga-Amosa, Bell, Nonggorr, Williams, Gleeson; McDermott, Kellaway.
BI Lions: Keenan; Jones, Aki, Farrell, Kinghorn; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Chessum, Beirne; Morgan, Curry, Conan.
Remaining subs: Kelleher, Stuart, Earl; Mitchell.
Rain begins again
That good spell of weather didn't last! The teams come in for their final huddles with the return to play just a few minutes away - it looks like Ellis Genge may be one change for the Lions as he was warming up with the players already on the field before the delay.
Lions reshuffle?
Interestingly, only the Wallabies are actually back on the pitch. Cameras focus on Andrew Kellaway, who's in theory an unused substitute, are the Lions running through their drills behind closed doors to hide a change in tactics and/or personnel? We'll soon find out...
Players are back
And ironically the weather is the best it's been all evening! The coaches have set out tackle bags and cone drills, it looks like the final 10 minutes before the national anthems at the start of the game.
T-10 minutes
Players are set to return to the field very soon, though they'll have the chance to warm up before play resumes.
Then play will resume at 12:50 UK time if all goes smoothly.
If there is another lightning strike that 30-minute clock will restart though - and if the delay gets towards 60 minutes there needs to be a decision made on whether to abandon the game.
Russell looks unbothered
The Scot is playing sat with his feet up scrolling through his phone - he hasn't tweeted anything since 2021 though so it's not that.
He can't access the discovery+ app in Australia but anyone viewing this in the UK can - and that's where you can watch the 2025 Autumn Nations Series and 2025/26 Gallagher PREM live.
Meanwhile Owen Farrell joins a huddle of Irishman on beanbags, as Tadgh Furlong looks like he's falling asleep
Earl into the centres?
Someone's covered the camera in the Lions' dressing room, but not before it appears Huw Jones has changed into training gear. With Farrell already on the pitch for Tommy Freeman, will that mean Ben Earl has to play in the centres?
In the Australian dressing room, White is getting a rub from the physio and the analysts are talking the players through some plays on the laptop - Wright, White and Donaldson are huddling around a Mac.
Advantage Australia?
Freed from Desire rings out around Stadium Australia in an attempt to keep the crowd engaged as a wave of pitch invaders strikes.
Now the question is: who benefits the most from this stoppage? It may just be Australia as their big carriers who wouldn't have been expected to play the full 80 minutes - most notably Will Skelton - get an extra chance to recharge and go deeper in the game.
Nika Amashukeli had said the next fight on the field would lead to a yellow card but he may give another mulligan now, which of course will suit Nic White just fine.
However, he seemed to be struggling just before half time and will another long stoppage exacerbate the injury?
Play suspended for 30 minutes
There's been a lightning strike within 10 kilometres of the stadium, so the players must leave the field for 30 minutes. If there's another strike within that time, the clock will reset for another half an hour.
That means play should resum around 12:45 UK time.
Evacuation underway
Spectators in rows 1-19 have been told to leave the stands and take shelter under the concourse given the adverse weather.
PLAY SUSPENDED
As James Ryan is carted from the field, the players also take their leave. There's a storm brewing in Sydney, and straight after half-time we get another stoppage.
43' Ryan down
James Ryan looked like he was knocked out and referee Nika Amashukeli wastes no time in pausing the game - replays show he was bowled over by Skelton and took a knee to the noggin.
Nic White - heavily bandaged - wastes no time in starting a fight in the interval as Jac Margan warms up.
41' Second-half underway!
The Lions have 40 minutes to make up eight points... strap in!
Second-half starting sides
An abraisive first half has taken its toll on both sides, with three changes already from the starting XVs.
Lynagh remains off the field with his HIA while Maro Itoje's absence means Dan Sheehan is the new Lions captain.
Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Sua’ali’i, Ikitau, Pietsch; Donaldson, White; Slipper, Pollard, Tupou; Frost, Skelton; Hooper, McReight, Wilson.
BI Lions: Keenan; Jones, Aki, Farrell, Kinghorn; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Chessum, Ryan; Beirne, Curry, Conan.
Half-time stats
The stats certainly tell the story of a half dominated by the Wallabies...
Australia 8-0 BI Lions
Carries: 75-43
Metres made (in contact): 157(60)-114(27)
Turnovers won: 6-2
Penalties conceded: 5-6
Own lineouts lost: 2-2
Penalty kick metres: 60-27
Visits to opposition 22: 5-4
Possession: 62%-38%
Territory: 58%-42%
What rugby is on TNT Sports?
Watch the 2025 Autumn Nations Series and 2025/26 Gallagher PREM live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Half-time: Australia 8-0 British & Irish Lions
It's been pretty one-way traffic in that half and Andy Farrell must produce another stirring team talk to inspire his side to a historic whitewash.
39' All change
The Lions have looked flustered for much of this first half, and that continues as they concede yet another penalty. And to make matters worse, Tommy Freeman also has to go off, meaning Owen Farrell is on as the only outside back substitute and Huw Jones is onto the wing.
37' Can the Lions strike back?
They've had to be patient but for the first time since the opening minutes, the Lions have possession in the red zone...
34' Penalty! Australia 8-0 British & Irish Lions
Australia's handling is supreme in the downpour, but the Lions also stand firm through 12 phases of pressure where the defence barely takes a backwards step.
However, as Bundee Aki meets Skelton head-on, the Wallabies win a penalty and this time Wilson points at the posts.
Lynagh slots the routine kick, and is then withdrawn for a HIA as Ben Donaldson trots on.
31' MASSIVE mistake
The pendulum swings again! Bundee Aki knocks on and it's now an Aussie attacking set piece.
30' HUGE turnover
Harry Wilson will want that one back. Given the rain, it's likely to be a low-scoring game and three points could be so pivotal at full-time.
Equally pivotal could be the Lions making that maul unplayable and winning the scrum - and a chance to clear.
28' Statement of intent
Australia smell blood. They win a penalty bang in front of the posts but turn down three virtually guaranteed points, in favour of an attacking lineout, a bold call given Pollard's trouble with the throw.
And Mario Itoje is off for a HIA, so Ollie Chessum must defend the maul instead of the skipper.
25' Another scrum penalty
Will Andy Farrell be considering bringing on Ellis Genge? The scrum is creaking as Australia get penalty advantage again, this time they play it though and are well into the 22 after 12 phases.
22' Tensions boil over
It's all happening! Beirne wins a penalty and an infuriated Nic White - never one to miss a bit of needle - takes offence to Dan Sheehan. Nick Skelton is the one singled out by Nika Amashukeli though, who's told he'll go into the sin bin next time he's involved.
In amongst it all, Gibson-Park ends up squaring up to Nick Frost (not the Hot Fuzz one) before White goes in for seconds against his opposite number.
20' Opportunity for Oz
The home pack has been second-best for the majority of the series but they produce a monstrous scrum there to win a penalty that's pumped up to the 22.
17' And, breathe...
It's the first kicking battle of the game with the Lions now sporting considerably more maroon rain-soaked jerseys. And it ends in something of a stalemate with a visiting lineout on halfway - until Sheehan's throw goes awry.
13' When it rains it pours
This is ridiculous - it looks like someone's turned on a rain effect machine to add to the downpour which is now biblical.
And Australia take advantage - Pietsch HAMMERS Freeman and his forwards respond by winning the ruck penalty. Yet Pollard overthrows the lineout and the Lions can go again from about 35m out.
11' Huge opportunity for the tourists
We asked, he delivered! Tadgh Beirne trucks it up and breaks the gainline, allowing Russell the time to send a tantalising cross-field kick that finds turf, and Tom Wright can only gather and slide into touch five metres out.
To make matters worse, Australia give away a penalty for contact in the air at the lineout...
8' What have you got, Lions?
The kick-off is one of the first times Finn Russell has touched the ball tonight but the flying Scot now has the chance to show what he can do...
7' TRY! Australia 5-0 British & Irish Lions (Pietsch)
Pietsch is in! Australia were patient after Harry Wilson was stopped off the base of the scrum, the forwards working through seven crunching phases until they got the penalty advantage.
That gave Tom Lynagh a free play and he swings left with his backline, the Lions are numbered up but Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i hesitates just long enough to force Tommy Freeman to bite in, then frees Pietsch who dives over.
Lyangh can't add a tough conversion though.
4' Wallabies hit back
Well it's all been about Pollard and Curry so far! The Lions pushed up to the 22 but a rare slip at the ruck from Curry sees the hooker win a turnover penalty.
Skelton likes that too, and gathers the lineout on the edge of the Lions' 22, which turns into a scrum five metres out when Hugo Keenan's only option to deal with a grubber is carry it back over his tryline.
For the second Test in a row Australia have set off like a train - can they capitalise?
2' Stolen lineout
It's Billy Pollard's first missed arrow of the tour - start as you mean to go on, right?
However, Jamison Gibson-Park kicks upfield once again allowing the impressive Max Jorgensen two chances on the ball.
Australia have some momentum, but it screeches to a halt when Jorgensen doesn't get the bounce of the ball after a poke through and Tom Curry wins a penalty from Will Skelton.
1' Kick off!
We're underway in Sydney! The Lions recieve the kick off and immediately clear to touch.
Players are out
Just the one anthem to come of course, as the Wallabies prepare for Advance Australia Fair.
Pietsch and the giant James
James Pietsch impressed for the Western Force in the Lions' warm-up game and it was somewhat of a surprise to see him miss out in the second Test to Harry Potter who was unable to work his usual wizardry on the wing.
He gets his chance now though, while veteran Nic White starts his final game in green and gold despite Jake Gordon's herculean effort last week - the 35-year-old brings an immaculate kicking game, immaculate moustache and an attitude that gets under the skin of the opposition more than almost anyone else in the sport into the XV.
Speaking of herculean, Rob Valentini played hurt last week and paid the price but made his impact felt while he was on the field, Tom Hooper is supremely talented though doesn't have the same carrying ability at six. Easy for me to say when I don't have to stop him.
Taniela Tupou replaces the injured Alan Alaatoa while a late injury in the captain's run means Billy Pollard is in at hooker.
For the Lions, James Ryan and Blair Kinghorn are rewarded for their matchwinning efforts from the bench in Melbourne, Ollie Chessum drops to the bench and James Lowe is out of the squad altogether.
Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Sua’ali’i, Ikitau, Pietsch; Lynagh, White; Slipper, Pollard, Tupou; Frost, Skelton; Hooper, McReight, Wilson.
BI Lions: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Kinghorn; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Itoje, Ryan; Beirne, Curry, Conan.
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Australia have an 'incredibly deflated group' ahead of final Lions Test - Schmidt
Video credit: SNTV
ICYMI: The world of rugby keeps on turning
It's been a huge week off the pitch and away from Australia too! The prodigal son returns from the NFL in the form of Louis Rees-Zammit while Red Bull confirmed they're set to complete their takeover of Newcastle Falcons, and rename them 'Newcastle Red Bulls'.
Rain check
It's raining. Hard. This could well be one of those nights where you don't want the ball, you just want to lamp it as far into the opposition 22 as possible and try and force a mistake out of possession.
The temperature is around 13 or 14 degrees Celsius too, so hopefully the hordes of Lions fans remembered to pack a coupleof jackets for down under!
Last time out
It’s a game that will long in the memory for all who were present in Melbourne but if you somehow missed the series clincher, here’s the rundown of how it played out
Schmidt rings the changes
He’s made five tweaks to the side that came oh-so-close in Melbourne, four enforced by injury and one tactical change…
Farrell makes two changes for Sydney
Only one of today’s starting backs also participated in the opening game of the tour against Argentina (can you guess which) as Blair Kinghorn and James Ryan are Farrell’s two changes for the final Test.
What rugby is on TNT Sports?
Watch the 2025 Autumn Nations Series and 2025/26 Gallagher PREM live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
HELLO AND WELCOME…
To a TNT Sports’ live text coverage of a potentially historic third test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions in Stadium Australia, Sydney.
The series that started with defeat to Argentina in Dublin in June will end in a victorious whitewash - the first for the Lions on tour since 1927 - if Andy Farrell’s side can beat a resurgent home side determined to avoid that ignominy.
The Wallabies were monstered in the first Test yet came oh-so-close to a stunning triumph last week in one of the games of the decade so far, but was that their best shot or just the warm-up to an even greater performance today - one that could lift Australian rugby union out of the doldrums it’s inhabited for at least the last two years?
It all kicks off at 11:00 UK time and we’ll bring you all the build-up ahead of that starting with the team news next…
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Andy Farrell, the British & Irish Lions head coach congratulates Owen Farrell (L) of the British & Irish Lions and Sione Tuipulotu (R) of the British & Irish Lions after their victory in the second test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
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