The British & Irish Lions secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead with a dramatic 79th-minute try from Hugo Keenan in front of a record crowd of over 90,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The victory ensures the Lions will be remembered as one of the great touring sides, having now won all eight matches on Australian soil and achieved a first two-Test series win in 28 years.
Australia dominated the opening half-hour, scoring three tries in nine minutes through James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright to lead 23-5. The Wallabies, much improved from the first Test, capitalised on a yellow card for Tommy Freeman and had 62 per cent of the possession in the first half.
The Lions fought back with tries from Tom Curry and Huw Jones before half-time to reduce the deficit to six points. Tadhg Beirne then crossed just before the hour mark, and Finn Russell’s conversion brought the scores to 26-24. The final quarter was a tense affair, with both sides trading penalties before Keenan struck in the dying minutes, his try upheld after a review of a Jac Morgan clear-out. The Lions won the final hour 24-3 to seal a remarkable comeback.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt will rue the missed opportunity after his side’s blistering start, but the Lions’ resilience and class proved decisive. The dead-rubber third Test takes place in Sydney next Saturday.
