British & Irish Lions

Promotion of rugby union on the front page is something Australia is not regularly used to in recent years.

But Australia's third Test win over the British and Irish Lions made for front and back page news.

Dylan Pietsch is pictured celebrating after scoring the first of Australia's three tries in their 22-12 triumph in Sydney, while Max Jorgensen's spectacular dive for the Wallabies' second also gets a good showing.

According to the Sunday Telegraph in Australia, Wallabies lock Will Skelton "was a titan among mere mortals" in denying the Lions a 3-0 series whitewash.

'Wallabies stealing the Lions thunder' also alludes to the lightning storm that interrupted play for more than 30 minutes.

Image source, The Sunday Telegraph

Image source, The Sunday Telegraph

Image source, The Sunday Telegraph

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI journalist

Tadhg Beirne said being named British and Irish Lions player of the series after defeat by Australia in Saturday's final Test was "bittersweet".

Beirne's place on the team for the first Test had been questioned in some quarters, but the Munster forward was instrumental in helping the Lions secure a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies.

Although Joe Schmidt's side won the final Test in Sydney to salvage some pride, the spoils went to the Lions as Andy Farrell masterminded the series win thanks to their earlier victories in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Irish flanker Beirne said he was unsure whether he would make the team for the opening Test, which the Lions won 27-19, but he grabbed his opportunity and comes away as one of the stars of the tour.

"It's a massive honour but more about the series win for me," he said.

"It's a bittersweet moment. It's a class moment we've won the series, but we've lost tonight.. but as Faz [head coach Andy Farrell] said, we'll get over it because we've won the series.

"I was unsure whether Faz was going to pick me, so when you see your name on the board, I knew it was an opportunity for me, but if I didn't play well he would take me out just as quick as he put me in. I needed to step up, as did all of the players, and we did that."

There is not a lot the 33-year-old has not experienced on a rugby pitch, but Saturday's 22-12 win for Australia did throw up a first for Beirne, with the game suspended for 40 minutes because of lightning in the vicinity of Stadium Australia.

"It was just a bit strange," said the Munster player.

"I've never experienced anything like that, so it was a bit of the unknown. You're told it's going to be 45 minutes so you try to relax a bit before getting back up and then all of a sudden it's seven minutes and you're switching on to try and focus the mind again.

"I've never experienced that before, but I have now and will know what to expect the next time."

The final Test match of this series had everything - drama, lightning, stoppages and monsoon like conditions which made it a very eventful match between the Lions and the Wallabies in Sydney.

In the end the weather appeared to favour the home side as Australia won 22-12 on the night – with Andy Farrell's side taking the series victory 2-1.

Chris is joined by former Lions, Andy Nicol and Alex Cuthbert, as well as Aussie great Stephen Moore and ABC broadcaster Quentin Hull with all the on the whistle reaction.

The guys take shelter from the crazy downpours and ask what went right for the Wallabies and what does this result mean for the Lions legacy?!

Ben Croucher presents reaction to the Third and final Test against Australia with BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones and 2005 Lion Shane Horgan.

Image source, Getty Images

Lions head coach Andy Farrell, speaking to the media about the storm delay in the second half: "We weren't sure of the rules. At one stage it looked like 45 minutes, then 30 minutes, but we stayed relaxed enough and knew we had to get the show back on the road.

"But off the back of that delay, Australia hit the ground running.

On the tour: "The best team won on the night. It might take one or it might take two beers but they'll be unbelievably proud of what they've achieved on this tour. On reflection we can be unbelievably proud.

"The legacy for us is in the changing room. The togetherness, it's been an absolute delight. We've played some outstanding rugby and that's accumulated into a performance that last week ended up being a moment that'll stay with us forever."

Image source, Getty Images

Lions head coach Andy Farrell on rugby union in Australia: "I said in the week it would be insulting to question Australia's place on the series and I repeat that.

"Special things are going to happen to Australia over the next 18 months. They have special athletes and special players."

Image source, Getty Images

Tadgh Beirne's starting spot in the first Test was questioned by many.

The Ireland forward now walks away as the player of the series.

"It is hard to go unnoticed when you get tagged on social media and it's popping up on your phone," he said about the reaction to his first Test selection.

"You just ignore it. You've got to use that as leverage. When I saw my name on the board, I knew I needed to step up. I'm chuffed that I did that."

Andy Nicol
Former Scotland scrum-half

Joe Schmidt has got this wrong, or Rugby Australia has got this wrong.

The preparation was just not right. We have said on so many occasions it is not like the Lions have crept up. The Lions has been 12 years in the making.

They will absolutely rue the lack of preparation for that first Test because we have seen in Test two and Test three they are very competitive, and in some cases a match or even better than the Lions.

The fact the Lions won that first Test at a canter allowed them to be down in that second Test and come back and take the lead in the 79th minute. That has been hugely important and has won the Test series.