A last-ditch try from Hugo Keenan sealed series glory for the Lions in Australia after a remarkable fightback at the MCG. With time running out and his side trailing 26-24, the Ireland full back cut over in the corner before an agonising TMO check proved inconclusive.
A thrilling first half saw Australia saw into a 23-5 lead as James Slipper, Jake Gordon, and Tom Wright all went over for the resurgent hosts after Dan Sheehan’s early try. However, Tom Curry and Huw Jones hit back before the break to leave the tourists just six points adrift.
In a tense second period, Tadhg Beirne went over to set up an huge finish. From what proved the final play, it was Keenan who went over to send the travelling fans in red into ecstasy.
Express Sport brings you the Liopns ratings after a dramatic night at the MCG…
Lions player ratings:
15. Hugo Keenan – Has not convinced all tour but last gap try made him a legend of the Lions 7
14. Tommy Freeman – First half yellow card cost two tries but he took one for the team there 6
13. Huw Jones – Not picked originally for this game but popped up with try to keep Lions in it the game 6
12. Bundee Aki – Not the huge carrier he is with Ireland, ineffective apart from one second half charge 5
11. James Lowe – The wing has not been on form all tour but supplied neat pass for Beirne to score 6
10. Finn Russell – Took until 45 minutes for him to make first error of tour and missed kicks 6
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – Lively with passing and good around park, one howler with up and under 6
1. Andrew Porter – Got no change out of the Aussie front row or referee Piardi at scrum 6
2. Dan Sheehan – Quick thinking for Lions first try and solid at line out – world class operator 8
3. Tadhg Furlong – Did not get much joy out of Aussie loose head James Slipper who did not want to scrum 6
4. Maro Itoje (capt) – Made more than 20 tackles in heroic effort and menace at breakdown 7
5. Ollie Chessum – First Lions start and continued decent form on tour before being replaced 6
6.Tadhg Beirne – Willing carrier and good line out presence and great finish for try. Superb all tour 8
7.Tom Curry – Gave the Lions some spark and produced hit of the tour on Joseph Suaalii to stop try 7
8. Jack Conan – Managed to get bounced off by a scrum-half but put in a tackle count of 20-plus 7
Replacements:
Ronan Kelleher 5 (for Sheehan 64)
Ellis Genge 7 (for Porter 54)
Will Stuart 6 (for Furlong 64)
James Ryan 5 (for Chessum 54)
Jac Morgan 7 (for Curry 54)
Alex Mitchell (N/A)
Owen Farrell 6 (for Jones 60)
Blair Kinghorn 6 (for Lowe 60)
Australia: Tom Wright 6; Max Jorgensen 7, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 7, Len Ikitau 8, Harry Potter 5; Tom Lynagh 7, Jake Gordon 7; James Slipper 7, David Porecki 6, Allan Alaalatoa 7, Nick Frost 6, Will Skelton 7, Rob Valetini 7, Fraser McReight 7, Harry Wilson (capt) 6.
Replacements: Billy Pollard 5 (for Porecki 56), Angus Bell 5 (for Slipper 40), Tom Robertson 5 (for Alaalatoa 40), Jeremy Williams 4 (for Skelton 47), Langi Gleeson 5 (for Valetini 40), Carlo Tizzano 6 (for McReight 60), Tate McDermott 6 (for Potter 19), Ben Donaldson (N/A)
Ref: Andrea Piardi (ITA)
Att: 90,307