Australia 26 Lions 29
Here is Gerry Thornley’s match report
Here is John O’Sullivan’s player ratings:
That’s all from me for today, goodbye. Stay tuned for more reaction and analysis on the Irish Times website.
Tadhg Furlong:
“You don’t want to win games like that, but it’s the best way to win it when it happens. Unbelievable.
“There are new directives that have come in, we were more aggressive in the second half with the scrum.
“It is emotional, it has played a big part in my career. The door may be closing for me on the Lions, but I don’t want it to end. It’s a special thing as a rugby player. We are aware of the stadium, it’s their Mecca, their Croke Park. It’s crazy the people that travel and support us, it’s great.”
Hugo Keenan:
“It’s a bit surreal, absolutely delighted. To have our families here, it’s a really special moment. We were well down, but we knew we had it in us, Faz still believed in us. It wasn’t the best performance ever, but it was character, determination, grit. It’s one of the reasons you do it all, isn’t it?
“You don’t really think of these things, especially with my tryscoring record. It came after lots of phases of everyone working hard. It was a very cool moment, it is something I will savour.”
Andy Farrell on Sky Sports:
“The fans deserve a grandstand finish, that’s why they all come out to see it.
“Obviously we weren’t too great in the first half, back-to-back penalties, yellow cards, very costly on the scoreboard. We found a way back into the game, we just felt we had that little bit of pressure, when we got into the 22, we scored every time. I was screaming ‘pass it, pass it’ to Hugo, but he wasn’t going to pass it.
“Where he’s been and what he’s been through, but it’s all been worth it, hasn’t it? We had solid belief at half-time, we could still win this game easily, take control of our discipline and it turned its head in the end.
“It’s fairytale stuff, you can say what you want, it means everything. They’ve dreamed of being a Lion their whole lives. What a privilege.
“Australia said they were going to show up, and they certainly did that. They played some nice rugby and made a good account of themselves.
Credit to Australia, who gained a lot of credit with their performance, but they will be gutted with how they lost that. It is the biggest comeback in a Lions Test match, 18 points they were behind at one point.
Man of the match, Maro Itoje on Sky Sports:
“It feels a little surreal, the first half we weren’t great, we weren’t physical enough. The second half wasn’t perfect, but we managed to fight, I give a lot of credit to the bench, they all made a big difference.
“We started hitting our scrum, got on top. We managed to stay close enough and scored in the end. My uncle sent me a message, you aren’t the Harlem Globetrotters, you just need to win, thank you uncle for the advice!
“Andy Farrell is obviously a very talented coach, him and all the coaching staff. The exciting thing is that we have so much more in us.
80 mins: Try for Lions! Hugo Keenan breaks Australia’s hearts. Gibson-Park to Keenan and has gets the run on Ikitau, has too much for him at that point of the game, and it’s a brilliant finish.
Or has he? TMO check for a tackle on Morgan beforehand. Question marks over the clean out.
No foul play says the referee, try stands! The Lions players and fans are jubilant. Russell misses the conversion, but Lions win the match and the series!
What a story for Keenan after suffering from virus for the first few weeks of the tour.
Full-time: Australia 26 Lions 29
79 mins: Lions are pushing for one last attack, going from side to side with the backs, looking for a penalty or drop kick range most likely. Beirne on the wing makes good ground. Russell instead of shooting runs, Kinghorn to five metres. What a finish.
77 mins: Time is running out for the Lions. Lynagh kicks it a decent distance to Keenan, who kicks it a bit too far and Lynagh fields it well. Gordon takes his time from the ruck and to halfway. Two points in it.
75 mins: 90,307 is the announced attendance today, some spectacle in Melbourne. Biggest crowd many of the Lions players will have played in front of. Record Lions attendance.
Free kick from the scrum, and Russell leaves a pass well behind Aki and almost loses it but just about. Then Genge knocks the ball on.
71 mins: Excellent run by replacement Blair Kinghorn makes a lot of ground but Australia turn the ball over again, great defence. From the ruck after the lineout though, the Lions win a scrum.
68 mins: Jorgensen kicks in behind and Gibson-Park recovers it five metres from his line and just about holds onto it and they clear. Australia give away the chance though with a forward pass.
64 mins: That was more like it from the Irish contingent there for a fantastic try. Owen Farrell is on for Jones as he gets another Lions Test cap under his belt. Lions starting to turn the screw, Itoje turns it over and wins a penalty, then Russell launches a perfect kick right into the corner from miles away.
Lions go one after the other to try to get it over, but Tizzano turns it over for the Wallabies, big steal.
59 mins: Lions lineout is clean but Gibson-Park kicks it way up in the air and straight out of play in front of him, not like him.
Bundee Aki’s best moment of the game to run through a gap and make 20 metres and get the crowd going.
Try for Lions! Beirne with a great finish! Up to the 12th phase as Gibson-Park gives to Lions, Lowe beats his man and offloads to Beirne who is on the touchline but shows the power and agility to score despite three men being on him. Big conversion by Russell, toughest one he’s scored tonight. Australia 26 Lions 24
56 mins: Curry with a massive tackle, which saves the Lions again after Conan was beaten to a bouncing ball, Suualii dropped it.
Curry’s final move as him, Chessum and Porter go off. Morgan, Ryan and Genge on.
52 mins: Another mistake for Lions as Russell kicks out on the full. Lions give away a penalty then as Australia play with advantage with quick hands. McDermott makes a super carry after some very quick hands. Good defending by Lions holds them up and back for the penalty.
Penalty scored by Australia. They opt for the posts and well kicked by Lynagh. Australia 26 Lions 17
49 mins: A bit of a scrappy start to this half by both teams as another big player is off for Australia, Skelton off for Jeremy Williams.
46 mins: Beirne picks and goes but ends up dropping the ball and knocking it on. Lynagh kicks a tricky ball behind Keenan that was going out of play but kept in superbly by Keenan and he kicks it to halfway, good play.
43 mins: A blow for Australia as Valetini goes off for Langi Gleeson, Angus Bell on too for Alaalatoa.
Early scrum for Australia as Lowe knocks on, but Lions turn the ball over, Wilson penalised for coming in at the side.
Half-time: Australia 23 Lions 17
Brilliant half of rugby by both teams, some superb tries. More of the same second half, please!
38 mins: Great long kick by Russell, 50-22 sets up an attacking lineout, Lions are flying now all of a sudden, the vibe of the game has changed.
Try for Lions! Keenan passes to Huw Jones, who has two players grappling him but they can’t stop him. Russell converts in front of the posts. Australia 23 Lions 17
35 mins: Freeman is back on, Australia score 12 points against 14 men. The Englishman makes a brilliant carry to five metres from the line to redeem himself, they couldn’t get him down. A few more phases then
Try for Lions! Superbly finished by Curry, quick by Gibson-Park, great pass by Conan to the wing, Curry turns inside and finishes. Russell misses the conversion from near the sideline. Australia 23 Lions 10
31 mins: Try for Australia! The Wallabies are alive and kicking. MCG is rocking as Suaali shows brilliant footwork to get past Porter and Wright is there to run in another try a few minutes after the previous one. Lynagh misses the conversion this time, but Lions in serious trouble. Australia 23 Lions 5
29 mins: Try for Australia! They take advantage of the extra man, Gordon dummies and goes, speeds through a gap and gets over after 15+ phases. Converted by Lynagh. Australia 18 Lions 5
27 mins: Great 50-22 by Tom Wright and the Lions are really under the cosh now. Chessum receives treatment. Australia’s carrying has been excellent, winning the physical battle.
24 mins: Australia win a penalty and this time they kick to touch, lineout is clean for the Wallabies and Australia win another penalty, Russell and Lions on their last warning for a card.
Long lineout goes well, Gordon tries to touch it down but held up, a metre from the line, and finally...
Try for Australia! Slipper the prop gets his fourth Test try and it gets worse for the Lions. Lynagh misses the kick. Australia 11 Lions 5
Yellow card! Tommy Freeman to the bin.
21 mins: Harry Potter pulls up injured for Australia, as Tate McDermott comes on. 6-2 split on the bench though so puts pressure on the Wallabies backs.
Australia making significant ground with every phase as they make significant ground. Skelton and Valetini are dominating.
17 mins: Try disallowed for Lions as Conan drops the ball, but back for an Australia offside. Sheehan tries to get to the line but held up. Conan and Sheehan denied. They go wide, good defending by Australia, but back for another penalty.
Try for Lions! Dan Sheehan gets on the board. Tap and go, jumps over two tackles and touch over the line. Brave and smart play. Russell hits the post with the conversion, should have done better. Australia 6 Lions 5
14 mins: Good scrum by Lions and Gibson-Park accelerates and gives to Furlong who unfortunately drops the ball, but it was because of a late tackle. Then Will Skelton is straight in there for a scrap, good aggro to this one.
11 mins: Good start by Lynagh, with a great kick in behind Keenan putting Lions under pressure. Tadhg Beirne is then shepherded out of play by Frost, and Australia win a penalty for Curry not releasing. Lynagh from further out this time, scores the penalty! Australia 6 Lions 0
8 mins: Finn Russell kicks to the five-metre line to put pressure on Australia. Lions finding a lot more physicality as Russell has a mixed start, passes a ball straight out of play.
5 mins: Some early possession for Australi who have made a brighter start than last week and they get penalty advantage when the attack eventually goes nowhere.
Australia opt for the posts. Tom Lynagh steps up and slots it over. Australia take the lead. Australia 3 Lions 0
2 mins: Finn Russell’s kick-off is allowed to drop, an early Australia lineout is taken quickly, Will Skelton already in with a big hit.
The teams are ready to come out on the pitch. Here are the teams again:
Lions v Australia: Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Tommy Freeman (England), Huw Jones (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland), James Lowe (Ireland), Finn Russell (Scotland), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland); Andrew Porter (Ireland), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England, capt), Ollie Chessum (England), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Jack Conan (Ireland).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England), Will Stuart (England), James Ryan (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Alex Mitchell (England), Owen Farrell (England), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland).
Australia v Lions: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson.
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson.
Conor Murray says that a Lions whitewash is on the cards unless Joe Schmidt can turn it around.
“Honestly, though, I think the series is over. The first half in Brisbane was Australia’s chance to catch the Lions before they found a rhythm. I was shocked by how passive their forwards were in contact. There was no lack of effort, but the raw emotion was absent.
“The Lions deserve credit. They stamped out any hint of a contest from kick-off and at the start of the second half with Dan Sheehan’s brilliant try.
“Blame can be spread around but it should not be laid at Tom Lynagh’s feet. No outhalf can possibly be ready to control their first international start against a fired-up Lions, in the first test no less. It was strange to see Lynagh retained at 10, especially considering James O’Connor’s impressive Super Rugby campaign at the Canterbury Crusaders.
“This would have been an incredibly tough week for the Australian players. Win or lose, there is nowhere to hide when Schmidt is your coach. The sheer amount of specific “work-ons” can overwhelm players who are not at the level.
“Others love the detail; there are few greater feelings in a sporting career than executing a Schmidt game plan that you innately understand following months of reps.”
Check out Gerry Thornley’s letter from Melbourne, where he writes that the capital of Victoria is one of the great sporting cities of the world, while the cafe culture is also world class.
“Melbourne is also the sporting capital of Australia, and arguably the world. Vivien Lee of Visit Victoria and Melbourne Cricket Club treat the 30-odd Irish and UK media to a boat trip to the MCG for a magnificent lunch in the Long Room, with its panoramic view of the pitch from leather upholstered couches, and a tour of the iconic stadium.
“This includes a panoramic view of the nearby Rod Laver Arena, the main stadium used for the Australian Open, the AAMI Stadium, where Ireland played the Wallabies seven years ago, and the indoor Sports and Entertainment Centre and the Olympic Park Oval, while the Melbourne Grand Prix circuit in Albert Park is not far away either.
“As its striped members jacket and the Long Room implies, the MCG is akin to Lord’s, but only bigger and brasher. It is the biggest stadium in the southern hemisphere and the 11th biggest in the world.”
[ Gerry Thornley: Mighty Melbourne, where the coffee is strong and the wifi is weakOpens in new window ]
The Lions team selection was typical of Andy Farrell, writes Gerry Thornley, and it would have been 10 Irish players had Garry Ringrose not pulled out with concussion symptoms.
“This is a very Andy Farrell-like selection, for Aki will bring more punch than Tuipulotu, if not as much subtlety. Aki is also a big-game player who invariably performs for Farrell, and then there is Farrell jnr to see it home.
“It will be a big ask for Farrell snr and the occasion to inspire Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry to the same heights as last week, but the coach is able to emotionally inspire players, especially those of his own ilk, like Aki and the aforementioned duo. The outside three hold on but will need to play better, and probably will do.”
Lions Tour, second Test: Lions v Wallabies, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 11am Irish time
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the second Test of the Lions tour of Australia, against the Wallabies, kick-off is at 11am. The Lions won the first game 27-19 and could clinch the series here, but Joe Schmidt may have something up his sleeve, especially with Rob Valetini and Will Skelton back in the team.
Lions v Australia: Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Tommy Freeman (England), Huw Jones (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland), James Lowe (Ireland), Finn Russell (Scotland), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland); Andrew Porter (Ireland), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England, capt), Ollie Chessum (England), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Jack Conan (Ireland).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England), Will Stuart (England), James Ryan (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Alex Mitchell (England), Owen Farrell (England), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland).
Australia v Lions: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson.
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson.
Key reads
- Gerry Thornley’s preview: Andy Farrell warns Lions to expect kick from wounded Wallabies
- Conor Murray: A Lions whitewash of the Wallabies is on the cards unless Joe Schmidt can turn it around
- Matt Williams: Lions’ classless act had the hallmark of imperialists touring their convict colony
