Summary

  • British and Irish Lions defeat Australia 29-26, having trailed 23-5 in first half at Melbourne Cricket Ground, to clinch series win

  • Hugo Keenan crosses in last minute for match-winning try

  • Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, Huw Jones and Tadhg Beirne also crossed for Lions

  • James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright scored first-half tries for much-improved Australia

  • Lions win first two Tests of a series for first time since 1997 in South Africa

  • Third and final Test of series is in Sydney on 2 August

  1. Recap & analysis - Lions win first series since 2013published at 14:35 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    The Lions play their final game against Australia in Sydney next Saturday, which could clinch the series 3-0. You can follow here again. Kick-off is at 11:00 BST.

    Until then, you can stay up to date with all things Lions here.

    You can also listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast when it drops here.

    Make sure and read Tom English's match report from Melbourne.

    Here are some talking points to recap on:

    Media caption,

    How Lions overcame Australia first half strength to win series

  2. Postpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Andy Nicol
    Former Scotland scrum-half on 5 Live Sport

    I think Maro Itoje has grown as a leader, he has a real presence on the filed. They way he conducts himself on the field and the way he interacts with the referee, he did that really well.

  3. 'Another step up in terms of Itoje's legacy'published at 14:30 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on 5 Live Sport

    Maro Itoje was on another planet. He was always the one meeting Australia, we knew he was a generational player and he's taken another step up in terms of his legacy.

  4. Tour resultspublished at 14:29 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    26 July - Australia 26-29 Lions, (Melbourne Cricket Ground)

    19 July - Australia 19-27 Lions, (Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane)

    12 July - Invitational AU & NZ 0-48 Lions, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)

    9 July - ACT Brumbies 24-36 Lions, Canberra (GIO Stadium)

    5 July - NSW Waratahs 10-21 Lions Sydney (Allianz Stadium)

    2 July - Queensland Reds 12-52 Lions Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)

    28 June - Western Force 7-54 Lions Perth (Optus Stadium)

    20 June - Lions 24-28 Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)

  5. Postpublished at 14:26 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Matt Dawson
    1997, 2001 & 2005 Lions tourist on BBC 5 Live Sport

    I thought the way the Lions put the replacements on today made a significant difference in building a momentum.

  6. Full-time statspublished at 14:24 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    55% - possession - 45%

    48% - territory - 52%

    172 - passes - 127

    134 - ball carries - 96

    9 - line breaks - 4

    3 - turnovers won - 4

    9 - turnovers lost - 14

    8 - penalties conceded - 9

    123 - tackles made - 179

    23 - tackles missed - 39

  7. 'The Wallabies defensively have been so passive'published at 14:23 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Matt Dawson
    1997, 2001 & 2005 Lions tourist on BBC 5 Live Sport

    It's a rugby IQ thing, watch that try back and how many Wallabies players cluster around that ruck? You could throw a towel over six of them, which gives the space for Keenan.

    The Wallabies defensively have been so passive in this series. They have been absorb, absorb, absorb and no-one gets over that ball.

  8. 'A perfect clear-out 'published at 14:19 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Andy Nicol
    Former Scotland scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports

    It was a perfect clearout and Jac Morgan did nothing wrong in that clear-out. I was in the stand with James Haskell and we both said if it was disallowed then it is the end of rugby.

    It is a perfect rugby moment on how you are taught to clear out a ruck.

    Jac MorganImage source, Getty Images
  9. 'Read the law' - Schmidt unhappypublished at 14:15 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Lauren Jenkins
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Cricket Ground

    Australia head coach Joe Schmidt, speaking to the media: "We lost a couple of guys at scrum time and it gave them an access point. Finn kicked superbly off one penalty. That's the sort of skill you have to respect."

    On should the match-winning try have been disallowed: "Players make errors, match officials make errors, we felt it was a decision that doesn't live up to the player safety push they're talking about. Read the law. We just have to accept it. It is what it is. But we've watched the replay several times.

    "You only have to look at law 9.20. A player who dives off his feet, beaten to the position, makes head contact. It was a tough one to take."

  10. Postpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Chris Ashton
    Former England wing

    First and foremost they'll enjoy the next day or so. I think they'll have a refresh.

    There’s going to be an opportunity for some of those Lions to become Test players.

  11. Postpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Andy Nicol
    Former Scotland scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport

    That was a perfect game for me. I am glad we got it done but Australia really came to the party.

  12. 'We wanted an edge of the seat'published at 14:07 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Matt Dawson
    1997, 2001 & 2005 Lions tourist on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The three of us [former Lions Matt Dawson, Jamie Roberts and Andy Nicol] are emotionally shocked. We wanted that edge of the seat game.

  13. Worth the trippublished at 14:05 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Lions fansImage source, Getty Images
    fans show supportImage source, Getty Images
    Fans Show supportImage source, Getty Images
  14. Listen to live reactionpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Former Lions Matt Dawson, Jamie Roberts and Andy Nicol are with BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones in Melbourne right now, reacting to the second Test in a live edition of Rugby Union Weekly.

    Click on the coverage option at the top of this page or listen on BBC Radio 5 Live.

    It will also be made available as a podcast later today.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:02 British Summer Time

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

    Fair play to Australia. They left everything out there. First half they were immense. Power told in the end.

    Stevo, Cheltenham

  16. 'Vast difference between the two teams'published at 13:59 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Matt Dawson
    1997, 2001 & 2005 Lions tourist at Melbourne Cricket Ground

    This Australia side has been known for decades for getting themselves out of tricky situations and they can’t compete physically. But when they do have that physicality, the likes of Suaalii and Wright can come into the game.

    They’re lacking in the 10s and 12s, that's the vast difference between the two teams in that area.

  17. 'We want to win 3-0'published at 13:57 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Lauren Jenkins
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Cricket Ground

    Lions captain Maro Itoje, speaking to the media: "When we first met, Faz [Andy Farrell] made the call that we want to come out here and win. Don't get me wrong we'll enjoy tonight but we want to win 3-0.

    "Though tonight is a moment in your life you'll cherish."

  18. Postpublished at 13:53 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Where does Hugo Keenan's try rank in great Lions moments?

    Not since Jeremy Guscott's drop-goal in 1997 has a series been won by the Lions with a play at the death.

    Hugo KeenanImage source, Getty Images
  19. 'What dreams are made of'published at 13:50 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    Lauren Jenkins
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Cricket Ground

    Lions head coach Andy Farrell, speaking to the media: "These lads have dreamed of being Lions all their lives and to come to MCG with 90,000 people and win it with a dramatic finish, it's what dreams are made of. We are absolutely delighted, we showed the courage."

    On Jac Morgan's clearout before Hugo Keenan's match-winning try: "I thought it was a brilliant clear-out. I can understand being on the other side of the fence. I thought Jac was brilliant when he came on."

  20. 'Everyone is overwhelmed'published at 13:47 British Summer Time

    FT: Australia 26-29 Lions

    British and Irish Lions

    Prop Ellis Genge, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's mental to see all the emotion flying around and how it has touched different people. Everyone is overwhelmed. What a feeling.

    "It's a tough gig but I like the way Faz [Andy Farrell] has approached it."