Summary

  • Australia produce magnificent display to deny Lions first 3-0 series whitewash since 1927

  • Australia dominated physical first half to lead 8-0 at half-time in Sydney

  • Match delayed nearly 40 minutes early in second half because of lightning

  • Max Jorgensen try extended hosts' lead to 15-0 before Jac Morgan replied

  • Tate McDermott's try clinched hosts' deserved victory as series finished 2-1

  • Captain Maro Itoje, Tommy Freeman and James Ryan all went off after suffering head injuries

  • Ireland forward Tadhg Beirne named player of the series

  1. Postpublished at 10:48 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    British & Irish Lions head coach Andy FarrellImage source, Getty Images
    Joe SchmidtImage source, Getty Images
  2. Lions player of the seriespublished at 10:46 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Some recent winners:

    2009 - Jamie Roberts

    2013 - Leigh Halfpenny

    2017 - Jonathan Davies

    2021 - Maro Itoje

    Leigh HalfpennyImage source, Getty Images
  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:44 British Summer Time 2 August

    #bbcrugby, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    With the series wrapped up, who is your Lions player of the series?

    Tadhg Beirne, Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry and Jamison Gibson-Park are all contenders.

    That's something else to play for.

  4. Fans braving the rainpublished at 10:42 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    A Lions fan before the Qatar Airways Lions Tour matchImage source, PA Media
    Fans braving the rainImage source, PA Media
    Fan braving the rainImage source, PA Media
  5. 'Tupou doesn't fit Schmidt's model of playing'published at 10:40 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    John Barclay
    Former Scotland captain on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast

    The conversation that came out after the first Test was that Tupou doesn't fit Schmidt's model of playing, which is extremely detailed.

    He is an X-factor player with big moments in games but probably doesn't have the quality of input throughout a game.

    Taniela TupouImage source, Getty Images
  6. Team news - Australiapublished at 10:37 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    The Wallabies are without powerful flanker Rob Valetini, who could only manage 40 minutes on his return in Melbourne.

    But power is still available from Will Skelton at lock.

    Prop Taniela Tupou, nicknamed 'Tongan Thor' because of his size, power and heritage, may also help fill the Valetini void.

    Capped 58 times by Australia, Tupou started for Joe Schmidt's side in November against England and Ireland, but has struggled for form since.

    He starts at tight-head in the place of injured Allan Alaalatoa for what will be his first appearance of the Test series.

    Scrum-half Nic White, who has announced his retirement from international rugby, starts his final game in green and gold.

    Australia XVImage source, BBC Sport
  7. 'I probably won't play for the Lions again'published at 10:34 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Tom English
    BBC Sport

    Tadhg FurlongImage source, Getty Images

    The Lions should have plenty of motivation beyond such things as history. One piece comes in the giant form of Tadhg Furlong, who is about to start his ninth consecutive Lions Test. Everybody loves Furlong, a bear of a man and a giant of a player.

    The prop is in thrall to the Lions, eloquent, but in trying to explain what being here means to him, almost halting and unsure of his words. But like the Lions at the MCG, he found a way.

    "I've heard a lot of people explain Lions tours and I probably haven't found an explanation in a verbal form that matches how you feel about it as a player, " he said. "It's a special thing. It really is.

    "It's not hard to motivate yourself (when the series is already won). My motivation is obvious. I probably won't play for the Lions again (he'll be 36 in New Zealand in 2029). It's been very good to me. Sometimes the last memory is the lasting memory you have in a jersey. I want it to be a good one."

    What will it be like for him out there on Saturday? "I nearly get calmer as it comes to the game," he said. I don't like getting too pumped up and then you go out and you have to sing an anthem. I like to take it all in. I like to run out and see the stadium. I like to look up to the rafters and have a think. Just concentrate on the simple things, really."

  8. Postpublished at 10:32 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    "It was never about the series, it was about building our way forward," says Australia head coach Joe Schmidt.

    Interesting comment considering the Lions happens in Australia once every 12 years.

  9. Another epic venuepublished at 10:30 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent at Stadium Australia

    As Nigel mentions below, this is another magnificent venue in a country full of magnificent venues.

    Last week it was the wonderful MCG and tonight it's Stadium Australia, which has hosted some of the greatest moments in Australian sporting history.

    A year after Cathy Freeman's heroics at the Sydney Olympics - and there is a stand named after her here - this was also the scene as John Eales' Australia beat the Lions in an epic series decider.

    That was when Wallaby rugby ruled the world, and the Wallabies of 2025 will need to summon the spirit of 24 years ago if they are to avoid the ignominy of being whitewashed at home.

    Justin HarrisonImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'Watch Kinghorn be massive'published at 10:27 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Ugo Monye
    2009 British and Irish Lion on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast

    The style of player is often reflected in their personality. Kinghorn loves life and would have celebrated hard at the weekend.

    Lots of players would have felt the nerves in the last 20 minutes. Kinghorn had thrown two interceptions that week [against First Nations and Pasifika] but he did not care. He was rinsing Joseph Suaalii.

    They were getting territory through his pace. He was so good in that last 20 - watch him be massive.

    Through boot, line breaks or aerial ability, he will be a big, big player.

    Blair KinghornImage source, Getty Images
  11. Atrocious conditionspublished at 10:24 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent at Stadium Australia

    The weather in Sydney tonight - and I don't say this lightly - is absolutely atrocious.

    It has rained for four straight days and it seems like the weather Gods have saved their worst for last.

    The officials have just asked for the lines on the pitch to be repainted because they were being washed away by the torrential downpours. Joe Schmidt is supervising the Wallaby warm-up under an umbrella.

    There were eight tries scored in Melbourne last week; it would be staggering if there was the same again in these conditions.

    Joe SchmidtImage source, Getty Images
  12. Nine is the magic numberpublished at 10:22 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    • Lions seeking nine wins in a row
    • Tadgh Furlong and Maro Itoje set to play nine Lions Tests in a row
    • Ireland have a record nine players in starting XV
    • Next try is ninth in Test series
  13. Team news - Lionspublished at 10:19 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Despite having the series wrapped up, Andy Farrell has made only two changes to his starting XV.

    Blair Kinghorn, who impressed off the bench in Melbourne, replaces James Lowe on the left wing and James Ryan comes in for Ollie Chessum at lock.

    Ben Earl returns to the replacements after missing out on the 23 in Melbourne, with Farrell opting for six forwards and two backs on the bench.

    Owen Farrell and Alex Mitchell are those two backs.

    Lions XVImage source, BBC Sport
  14. Sydney memoriespublished at 10:16 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    The Lions produced a stunning second-half display in the 2013 Test in Sydney, running out 41-16 winners to clinch the series 2-1.

    No series is on the line this time but the importance remains high to seal a historic whitewash.

    George North celebratesImage source, Getty Images
  15. The walkpublished at 10:13 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Media caption,

    Follow the Lions journey to the pitch in the Accor Stadium, Sydney

  16. Stadium Australia - host of the 2000 Olympicspublished at 10:11 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Nigel Ringland
    BBC Sport at Stadium Australia

    This stadium was built for the 2000 Olympic Games and is the centrepiece of Sydney's Olympic Park.

    It's where First Nations athlete Cathy Freeman lit the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony and then went on to unite this nation when she won gold in women's 400m, carrying the Australian and Aboriginal flags on her lap of honour.

    Jonathan Edwards and Denise Lewis won gold medals here for Team GB and Kylie Minogue sang 'Dancing Queen' at the closing ceremony.

    The Games were brought to a close by a rousing rendition of 'Waltzing Matilda'.

    Cathy Freeman was the Australian star of the 2000 OlympicsImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Cathy Freeman was the Australian star of the 2000 Olympics

  17. Fans outside the stadiumpublished at 10:09 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Fans outside the stadiumImage source, Getty Images
    Fans outside the stadiumImage source, Getty Images
    Fans outside the stadiumImage source, Getty Images
    Fans outside the stadiumImage source, Getty Images
    Fans outside the stadiumImage source, Getty Images
  18. Downpour after downpourpublished at 10:08 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Lauren Jenkins
    BBC Sport at Stadium Australia

    Conditions could not be worse for this final Test as fans sitting low in the stands run for cover to avoid the pounding rain.

    The Lions may only need to score three more tries for their most in a Test series (11) but even that is looking like a stretch in this filthy weather.

    The stadium continue to play 'Raindrops keep falling on my head...' over the tannoy.

  19. Greatest Sporting Whitewashespublished at 10:06 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Nigel Ringland
    BBC Sport at Stadium Australia

    I'm not wanting to get ahead of myself but as the Lions go in search of a 3-0 whitewash....

    Why not take a look at some of most famous in sporting history.

    Better start by giving Australia their dues.

    1. Ashes series 5-0 over England in 2013…and 2006.

    2. Tennis - 1988 French Open final when Steffi Graf beat Natasha Zvereva 6-0, 6-0 in 32 minutes.

    Hasn't happened since…oh wait…this year you say…Iga Swiatek…I didn't know, I was following the Lions around Australia!

    3. NFL Miami Dolphins 17-0 - the only perfect season ever

    4. The All Blacks in 2013 when they became the only team ever to win all their games over a period of a year - 14 in all including wins over Australia, South Africa, England, France and Ireland.

    5. 1984 Winter Olympics - Torvill and Dean win figure skating gold and make history by getting perfect 6.0s from all the judges. We'll call that a whitewash.

    6. 2004 World Series Boston Red Sox 4-0 St Louis Cardinals - not the first World Series when a team has swept another but this ended the 86-year Curse of the Bambino for Red Sox fans when Babe Ruth was sold to their arch rivals the New York Yankees.

    7. It's hard to get a whitewash in golf but in 2000 Tiger Woods won the US Open, the Open and the USPGA Championship and added the Masters in 2001 to hold all four Majors at the same time so that's close enough to count.

    8. Frankel - 14-0 and never lost a race

    This is all I could come up with at short notice. Will we be adding the Lions to the list today?

  20. What happened in Melbourne?published at 10:03 British Summer Time 2 August

    Australia v Lions (11:00 BST)

    Hugo KeenanImage source, Getty Images

    The second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground was built as now or never for the Wallabies.

    An underwhelming performance in the first Test in Brisbane promoted questions over their quality and if the series was ever going to catch fire.

    Well it certainly did.

    It ended up being a record official attendance of 90,307 for a Lions Test and that mega crowd helped Joe Schmidt's side to a 23-5 lead.

    The Lions scored two quick tries back-to-back through Tom Curry and Huw Jones before half-time, which proved vital.

    Then with the last play of the game, Hugo Keenan dived over the line to complete a record comeback win for the Lions in a Test.

    It was a classic for the ages.