SYDNEY โ The Wallabies thwarted a British and Irish Lionsโ ambition to achieve a clean sweep in their Australian tour by securing a stirring 22-12 triumph in the third and final rugby test amidst tumultuous weather conditions at Sydneyโs Olympic Stadium on Saturday night.
The Wallabies showcased one of their most remarkable performances in recent years, highlighted by tries from wingers Dylan Pietsch, Max Jorgensen, and scrumhalf Tate McDermott. The match was interspersed with a lengthy halt due to a nearby lightning storm.
Despite having clinched the test series with victories in Brisbane and through a dramatic last-minute 29-26 win in Melbourne, the Lions were aiming to conclude without a defeatโan achievement last attained by a Lions squad in 1974.
However, even with fervent support from a crowd nearing 90,000 people, the Lions struggled as the Wallabies outperformed them in physical encounters and demonstrated superior ball handling amidst persistent rain showers on a frigid, windy night.
โThereโs certainly some frustration because we aspired to win every match, and rightly so,โ Lions coach Andy Farrell remarked. โYet, the best team emerged victorious tonight. I told the lads it might take a couple of beers to reflect, but they should be incredibly proud of their achievements during this tour.โ
With 20 minutes remaining, Jac Morgan scored to offer the Lions a glimmer of hope for another dramatic comeback akin to the Melbourne match. However, McDermottโs decisive try with 10 minutes left assured the Wallabiesโ win. Will Stuart added a try right as the game concluded, narrowing the scoreline.
The match, though played under icy and wet conditions, saw emotions running high. The Wallabies responded passionately after facing scrutiny about Australiaโs role in the quadrennial Lions tours rotation, which includes World Cup champions South Africa and New Zealand.
Australiaโs scrumhalf Nic White, in his final appearance for the Wallabies, fiercely faced the Lions forwards, rallying the energetic crowd as Australia dominated both possession and territorial advantage throughout the match.
**Wallabies Fast Start**
Mayhem ensued early with a 5-meter scrum that led to Wallabies managing successive plays before Pietsch found the edge to dive in for the first try. The tension escalated as Nic White clashed with Lions hooker Dan Sheehan, with Will Skelton also getting involved, resulting in a penalty for Australia.
Tom Lynagh later extended the Wallabiesโ lead with a penalty amidst another rainstorm. Unfortunately, he had to be replaced for a concussion checkโunable to continue after being injured in a high ruck cleanup by Sheehan, which went unnoticed by officials. Approaching halftime, the Lions began gaining ground and appeared threatening, yet Tom Hooperโs crucial turnover at the Wallabiesโ try line maintained Australiaโs half-time advantage.
**Lightning Interruption**
Shortly after the break, the match intensity escalated due to severe weather while play was stopped for a significant head injury to Lions lock James Ryan. Players were ushered off-field as a precaution against impending lightning, prompting the crowd to take shelter. Following a 45-minute hiatus, during which the teams warmed up, play resumed with the Wallabies narrowly missing a scoring opportunity right away.
โWe knew lightning was a possibility, so we sorted a contingency plan,โ explained Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. โEmphasizing player movement, we focused on regrouping for the gameโs continuation.โ
Schmidtโs counterpart, Lionsโ coach, noted the unprecedented event in his extensive rugby experience. โI hope not to see that again,โ he humorously added, describing the haltโs effect on the teamโs momentum.
The Wallabies extended their lead when Jorgensen capitalized on a loose ball from Lions center Bundee Aki, sprinting 50 meters for a try converted by Donaldson, pushing the score to 15-0. Despite Morganโs late try reducing the lead to 15-7 after relentless Lions pressure, the Wallabies sealed victory when Lionsโ sub Ronan Kelleher received a yellow card for offside, leading to McDermottโs winning try.
The Lions managed another try by full-time, yet the Wallabies jubilantly celebrated a morale-lifting victory. โOur playersโ resilience after last weekโs disappointment made me incredibly proud,โ Schmidt reflected.