Australia 22 Lions 12 (FT)
Full-time: Australia 22 Lions 12
There isn’t time. Conversion missed and the hooter sounds. Australia have won!
A flat display from the Lions. It was an arm-wrestle in the rain, they should have had enough heft to get the job done but Australia were sensational. They dismantled the Lions lineout and breakdown while being more clinical inside the 22.
All with a dramatic 40-minute delay for lightning!
Stay tuned for Gerry Thornley’s match report from Sydney.
79 mins: Australia are keeping up the rearguard, despite the game being secure. A penalty comes after a series of pick and goes on the Wallaby line. Lions will tap and go again…
TRY LIONS
WILL STUART
Over they crash from close range. A quick conversion comes, is there time for the restart?
78 mins: The Lions look to have spilled close to the line but we will have a TMO check. Russell’s double pump bought a hole which Earl burst through. Beirne then spilled in contact but it looked to be because Suaalii hit him high. We’re having a look.
We’re checking both a tackle off the ball from Donaldson on Earl, and the Suaalii hit on Beirne.
Tackle off the ball is the initial call. Lions penalty.
77 mins: It feels hollow at this juncture to describe a bout of kick-tennis, but that’s what just happened. Lions lineout on the Australia 10m after Donaldson’s kick went out on the full.
75 mins: Wright is smashed back as he kicks from his own 22 but he still makes a decent contact. Good touch found up towards halfway.
Off the lineout, now Williams gets in over the ball. Set-piece and breakdown, the Wallabies have been dominated all day.
72 mins: Sheehan is back on with Kelleher in the bin. He breaks into the 22 and throws an offload to stay in play. Morgan tries to gather off the deck but can only spill forward.
Well it will actually be a Lions lineout. Turns out it wasn’t spilled, Australia gathered and were shunted into touch. They’re not happy, but, they steal the next lineout anyway.
TRY AUSTRALIA
MCDERMOTT
71 mins: Surely, any doubts about the result have been put to bed. McDermott spots a gap at the side of the ruck. He snipes, squirming through Genge and Chessum to dot down. Simple conversion is good.
Australia 22 Lions 7
YELLOW CARD
KELLEHER
Sure enough, with 10 minutes to go, Kelleher is caught offside and sent to the bin. Curry limps off as well. Lions are well and truly up against it, defending a scrum on their own line.
Another penalty comes, this time with a warning. Next one is yellow.
A high tackle from Morgan on McDermott inside the 22.
Australia were playing for a penalty there and they got one.
Skelton and Tupou are off. Big moment in the game.
Conan has also been replaced by Ben Earl.
Meanwhile, Russell passes back into the 22 and Keenan launches it out on the full. Big mistake.
TRY LIONS
JAC MORGAN
Stuart latches onto the Welshman and drives him over from close range. They can’t come back again, can they?
Australia 15 Lions 7
Keenan claims a high ball brilliantly from Russell’s up and under.
The Lions are on the attack inside the 22.
Nic White is subbed off. That’s his last act in a Wallaby jersey. “Nice career,” says the referee as they shake hands.
TMO Marius Jonker has buzzed in to check something. What it is, I have no idea. The replay they’ve shown has not even a shred of foul play. Get on with the game.
One replay that was worth watching, though, was Farrell’s barney with Suaalii after the Jorgensen try. Absolute gold.
Farrell and Russell try to link with a loop off the scrum but the ball, once again, goes to deck. That was good work from White to chase Russell out the back. Still, the Lions accuracy in the wet has been shoddy. It looks to be costing them this game.
Dan Sheehan is off, Rónan Kelleher is on.
TRY AUSTRALIA
JORGENSEN
It’s terrible game management from the Lions. Kinghorn fires a pass behind Aki, which he spills. Jorgensen is there to gather, scoop up the ball and sprint off home under the posts. Not a good few minutes from Aki, albeit that error was more Kinghorn’s fault than his.
Conversion under the posts is good.
Australia 15 Lions 0
The lineout following the penalty is loose, but Gibson-Park is tackled off the ball. Back-to-back penalties take the Lions up towards the 22.
Frost pinches that latest throw, allowing Australia to clear.
CHANCE!
Australia almost score immediately. Tupou tears through the middle on first phase and into the backfield. He tries to free the arms but a spill means the Lions survive.
‘Land down under’ belts out over the stadium PA as the Lions huddle up before the restart. They have it all to do here. You would think the delay actually works in Australia’s favour, giving Skelton a breather and allowing him to go longer in this game.
Looks like Ellis Genge has come on for Andrew Porter at the break.
The state of play so far: Australia have had that one crucial score from Dylan Pietsch, Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii critical in the build-up.
They have dominated the Lions on the floor, ending attack after attack with jackal turnovers. With the ball, Australia have had 62 per cent of the possession and 54 per cent of the territory. They’ve also made 139 metres to the Lions’ 73. It’s been all Australia.
What’s more, James Ryan and Maro Itoje are both gone for head injuries. Tom Lynagh too on the Australia side, Dan Sheehan fortunate his clearout on the 10 wasn’t checked by the officials.
The players are back out. We will have the last 37 or so minutes of this contest. A cousin of mine is getting married at 1pm. I hope they hadn’t planned to watch the end of the game and then head straight to the church. Hopefully the bride is late!
Right, we have some news! Looks like the game will restart at 12.50pm Irish time. For what it’s worth, the Lions will be delighted to get back on.
If the lightning storm lasted an hour, officials would have to consider abandoning things. Had that happened then the current scoreline, 8-0 in favour of the Wallabies, would have stood.
This was the update given by Rugby Australia’s match manager, the aforementioned “chap in a trench coat” who ran onto the pitch.
This was the moment the wheels came off this game. Interesting to note that Dan Sheehan was approached as Lions captain with Itoje off having failed his HIA.
For what it’s worth, John O’Sullivan – one of our rugby writers – comes down on the latter, more critical side of the officiating argument.
“The officiating has been so poor today. No punishment for players, just endless warnings.
“It’s been so lax, so many things that have been missed. Three HIAs failed.
“Conditions were always going to make it a difficult game to referee but the failure to punish players for being third player in to the shemozzles, clearing out at the side, high shots, questionable clear-outs, knocks-on and an endless frustration from players who are then taking the law into their own hands; it beggars belief that there have been no cards.
“The lid is off discipline wise, and someone needs to put it on again.”
Will Skelton of the Wallabies clashes with Andrew Porter of the British and Irish Lions. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
While we wait, let’s look back at the first 43 or so minutes. Referee Nika Amashukeli has had a very, very difficult afternoon.
Given the conditions, this was always going to be a contest based on grunt rather than skill. That leads to more collisions, more close-quarter exchanges, more opportunities for conflict. Sure enough, there have been scraps aplenty.
A charitable reading would be that Amashukeli has done well to keep everyone on the pitch, handing out warnings and refereeing with nuance. A more hardline view would be that he should have handed out cards earlier to stop the nonsense. The phrase ‘third man in’, ie the first man not involved in the scuffle, has been used plenty. Should one of these ‘third men’ been binned by now for escalating things?
In any case, that the officials missed Sheehan’s dangerous clearout on Lynagh will definitely be a black mark to their name after the match.
Referee Nika Amashukeli speaks with Will Skelton. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Right, the rule here is we have to wait until half an hour after the last observed lightning/thunder burst. When that will be is anyone’s guess. Anyone want to send in their best rain/lightning in sport stories? Tweet @nathanrjohns and we’ll stick it in here.
GAME DELAYED
Oh my days. This game is getting stranger by the minute. Some chap in a trench coat has come on to speak to referee Amashukeli. Turns out there’s a lightning warning in the area.
The game has to be suspended as a result. I’ve seen this in other sports, but never rugby!
Play is suspended during to lightning strikes during the third test. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
43 mins: Problem here for James Ryan. He looks to be in a bad way with a head injury. Play stops with an abrupt blast of the whistle.
It was a collision with Will Skelton, Ryan getting his head on the wrong side in the tackle.
Chessum is already on for Itoje, so Jac Morgan replaces Ryan. Remember the Lions have six forwards on the bench.
James Ryan gives a thumbs up after being carted off with a head injury. Photograph: Robbie Stephenson/PA
41 mins: We’re back at it in Sydney! Russell and the Lions do the honours. The Lions must do something about their attack inside the 22. Three entries and no scores in that first half. Can Australia keep them at bay? We’re about to find out.
There was some chatter at the break about Tom Lynagh, who has failed a HIA. The reason why? A clearout from Dan Sheehan. The Ireland hooker is very lucky that wasn’t checked. Tucked arm and head contact… could have been red.
It was a first half full of niggle. Initially Will Skelton was the culprit, putting in a late push after giving up a penalty. Later on, everyone was involved.
Wet rugby. Lots of forward niggle. You can’t beat it.
Half-time: Australia 8 Lions 0
That’s all she wrote for a sodden first half. Dylan Pietsch’s score is the difference between the sides. Given the rain, it will take some effort to put together the required attack to come from behind. Australia’s wet gameplan, kicking in behind while swooping all over the breakdown, is working a treat.
What’s more, Itjoe has failed his HIA. The Lions will not have their skipper in the second half.
40 mins: Wright has been sensational on the ball. This time defensively he is called into action, stepping past a Lions chaser to field a quick and clear. Then, when Russell tries to pressure with another kick, Wright keeps his cool to call a mark.
38 mins: Big moment. Sheehan slips and misses a clear on the Conan clearout. Hooper gets in over the ball. His knee might have been on the ground but Amashukeli gives him the penalty.
Two Lions attacks have crossed the 22 so far. Both have ended in breakdown turnovers.
Now Freeman has gone off. With a 6/2 bench, that means Farrell has to come on. Huw Jones to the wing possibly?
37 mins: Porter wins an advantage, this time he gets the better of Tupou at the scrum. This is some tit for tat.
Another penalty comes for not rolling and Russell takes it quickly. Freeman carries hard into the 22.
35 mins: Sheehan’s lineout throw is blown off course, but Frost still manages to get a hand on it for Australia. He can’t hold on, though, giving the Lions a scrum. They haven’t built an extended period of possession in quite some time. They need something here.
34 mins: They take their time deciding, but Lynagh does kick the points. Easy effort from straight in front.
Wallabies have a two-score lead. Bizarrely, after the kick, Lynagh has been flagged for a HIA. Bit of a delayed spot that, given he was allowed to slot it over.
Australia 8 Lions 0
31 mins: The Lions have managed to knock Australia back towards the edge of the 22. Curry and Ryan putting in big hits. The Wallabies still have it.
Skelton runs into a combination of Sheehan and Aki. Now there’s a fight we’d love to see. The Lions were offside so the big collision comes to nothing. Surely Australia have to take the points? The rain has picked up AGAIN.
30 mins: Uh oh. Aki spills while trying to carry to set up a clearing kick. Australia have a scrum 5 metres out. In this rain, it will be so hard to overturn a big lead.
This could be the game right here.
29 mins: Boy did the Lions need that rearguard. Who knows if he was legal (well, Amashukeli said he was which is all that matters), but Curry swims through that maul to get on the ball and earn the turnover.
Barr Pietsch’s early try, it’s been a tale of defences swarming attacks struggling in the rain so far.
27 mins: Scrum advantage once again as Porter continues to struggle against Tupou. White plays with fantastic tempo, sending forward carriers over the gain line time and again.
Another penalty comes, allowing Lynagh to kick into the corner. Given the conditions, that’s a big call not taking the three points.
Itoje goes off for a HIA. Chessum replaces him.
24 mins: That could well have led to another scrap. Russell spills the wet ball with no defender in front of him and the Aussies come piling in, letting him know about it. That could so easily have blown over given the sledging.
23 mins: Now Beirne gets in for a breakdown jackal. The Lions needed that.
Afters aplenty with pushing and shoving after the penalty. Surprise surprise, Skelton is prominent.
Amashukeli has words with both captains. Australia are marched back 10 metres for their reaction. “Control your players,” is the message.
22 mins: Big statement from the Wallaby pack. Skelton and Tupou combining on the tighthead side is too much power for anyone. Porter is forced to stand up and Amashukeli pings him.
20 mins: Another Aussie turnover. This time Curry is held up in the tackle by a Pietsch, McReight and Hooper. The rain acts as a leveller in terms of skills, so for now it’s a case of grit, who wants it more?
For now, the answer to that question is Australia. They are strangling the life out of the Lions attack.
18 mins: It is absolutely chucking it down. To the point where you struggle to see the players on the TV camera.
Up until now, Sheehan has done well not to lose a lineout throw in the conditions. He fails on this occasion, though, Frost beating Itoje in the air.
12 mins: Fantastic defence. Pietsch flies up off the line to smash Freeman. McReight then swoops for a turnover underneath his own posts.
Australia are up for this.
10 mins: Lions ball in a fantastic position. Russell’s kick forces Wright under pressure this time and Freeman drives him into touch inside his own 22.
TRY AUSTRALIA
DYLAN PIETSCH
7 mins: Brilliant from Suaalii. He holds the ball long enough to force Freeman to bite in. Once he does, the ball is spun wide for Pietsch to score in the corner.
Lynagh misses the conversion.
Australia 5 Lions 0
5 mins: 5m scrum for the Wallabies. Brilliant kick from Wright to force Keenan under pressure, Pietsch following up to drive the fullback over his own line.
3 mins: An early breakdown penalty given away by Skelton.
Earlier in the piece, deft footwork from Hugo Keenan stopped him from being caught on the ball in his own backfield.
1 min: And they’re off!
The Lions pinch the first lineout of the game against the head. Remember hooker Pollard wasn’t initially supposed to start, only due to a late scratch for Porecki.
Wet or otherwise, the players are almost ready. The customary changing room camera angle comes into view minutes before kick-off. Christ James Ryan’s hair is already soaking.
More Brolly content for you. Surely the Sky lads can afford a covered studio?
It’s a wet one in Sydney! Box kicks galore?
Some analysis for you numbers boffins.
Jamison Gibson-Park is vital to Andy Farrell’s attacking system. Well duh.
But he’s even more important than we realise. Some of his numbers around attacking involvements compared to outhalves he plays with – even an experienced operator such as Finn Russell – are staggering.
For a country which starts culture wars around the 10 shirt, Ireland has sneakily turned into a scrumhalf-dominated nation. Gibson-Park is Farrell’s main man. No one else. Not Russell, not Crowley, not Prendergast. Take a look here.
[ Jamison Gibson-Park’s numbers don’t lie – Ireland is a scrumhalf countryOpens in new window ]
Lion’s Jamison Gibson-Park celebrate in dressing room with teammates after beating Australia. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
From the Australian perspective, the main talking point is the absence of Rob Valetini. Already struggling with injury coming into this series, he missed the first Test.
In the second, he was Australia’s best forward carrier, making the most metres of anyone in the Wallaby pack. There’s a lot of heft lacking there now his calf injury has flared up once again.
Taniela Tupou could well replicate some of that bulk now he’s back, but he spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald before this tour about how his loss of form left him questioning his ability to play rugby. In another blow for Joe Schmidt, hooker Dave Porecki is a late scratch.
Without Valetini, though, even with Tupou and Skelton in the fold, it’s difficult to see the Wallabies get anything close to the forward parity required to compete.
Rob Valetini was influential in the second Test but misses out today through injury. Photograph: William West/AFP via Getty Images
Conor Murray has joined team Irish Times as a columnist for this tour. The first line of his latest column alone is a doozy. Come for the beer-soaked stories, stay for the hardline analysis of last week’s major talking point.
Was Jac Morgan’s clear-out legal? Conor has a strong opinion on the matter. He also offers some good insight into the value of Gary Keegan, sports psychologist for Ireland and the Lions.
“After the second Test, whether we win, lose or draw, we go on the beer.”
— Conor Murray
Conor Murray in action on the 2017 Lions tour. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
Leinster and Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong matches a modern record today with his ninth consecutive Lions Test start. The only other man to achieve a similar fate this century is Alun Wyn Jones.
Gerry Thornley, our man on the ground in Australia, looks back at Furlong’s Lions career. Is he Ireland’s greatest ever Lion?
Tadhg Furlong in action for the Lions. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
Pre-match content? We’ve always got plenty for you keen beans. With plenty of time left until kick-off, why don’t you listen to myself and John O’Sullivan argue about who Ireland’s greatest Lions is on The Counter Ruck podcast. We do, of course, also run through today’s talking points.
Why has James Lowe been dropped?
Who is Ireland’s greatest ever Lion?
Australia have also made changes after their fightback came up short last weekend. Taniela Tupou is back at tighthead to add some power.
It will be needed given Rob Valetini, so impressive in Melbourne, is once again injured. Nic White starts at scrumhalf in his last international before retirement.
Will Skelton stays in but it remains to be seen how long he’ll last given he was called ashore after 47 minutes last time out.
Let’s start with the teams, because that’s all we care about as Lions onlookers, right? How many blokes from my country are involved?
With Ireland, the answer is nine in the starting XV. The two changes (from an Irish perspective) are James Ryan starting at secondrow after his impressive bench cameo last week, while James Lowe is replaced on the wing by Blair Kinghorn.
Our team for Saturday’s third Test in Sydney! 🦁#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 31, 2025
For the last time this summer, it’s time to say good morning and welcome you all to live coverage of the Lions vs Australia.
With the series decided, Andy Farrell and co are in Sydney for the final game of this tour. The Lions want a series sweep, Australia are trying to salvage some pride. Well, pride on the series scoreboard after their sensational first half performance last week showed at least some backbone.
Nathan here to guide you through what’s what as we build up to kick-off at 11am Irish time.