Australia’s Lions win salvages series pride as Wallabies gain boost ahead of Rugby Championship
.jpg "Australia's Rob Valetini may have only played 40 minutes vs the Lions but he - along with Will Skelton - could be big for Australia at The Rugby Championship")
Australia's Rob Valetini may have only played 40 minutes vs the Lions but he - along with Will Skelton - could be big for Australia at The Rugby Championship
©Photo by Julian Finney - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Australia avoided a series whitewash against the British & Irish Lions with a victory in Sydney in the final Test.
Despite second-half tries from replacements Jac Morgan and Will Stuart, Andy Farrell’s side will be disappointed not to have completed an unbeaten tour, with the feat last achieved by the 1974 Lions in South Africa remaining elusive.
The Wallabies were aided by tries from Dylan Pietsch, Max Jorgensen, and Tate McDermott on a night when conditions were far from ideal for rugby.
The match was delayed for 40 minutes due to the threat of lightning, but that didn’t stop a spirited Australia from finally putting their stamp on the series.
So, where did it go wrong for the Lions, and what can Joe Schmidt’s side take into the upcoming Rugby Championship?
Early try gave Wallabies confidence
As in the second Test, the hosts started strongly and struck early, with Pietsch - who impressed earlier in the tour for Western Force - scoring in the 8th minute.
The wet conditions suited Schmidt’s gameplan; tight carries from the forwards inside the Lions’ 22 and a strong kicking game orchestrated by scrum-half Nic White, who was at the heart of everything in what was his final Test for Australia.
For the opening score, relentless Wallabies pressure took them to within metres of the line before White skipped a pass past first receiver Len Ikitau to outside centre Joseph Sua’ali’i. One pass removed two Lions defenders, and Sua’ali’i’s pace and footwork beat Jamison Gibson-Park before fixing Tommy Freeman to send Pietsch over in the corner.
Midway through the first half, Australia turned down a simple penalty for a kick to the corner. Although the Lions repelled the initial maul, a knock-on from Bundee Aki kept the Wallabies in the 22, and a second penalty allowed them to take the points for an 8-0 lead. In the worsening conditions, a two-score advantage was significant.
Mistakes costing the Lions
Before the match, Sky Sports pundit Sam Warburton highlighted Irish hooker Dan Sheehan’s near-perfect lineout record on tour - just one loss from 41 throws.
But in Sydney, Australia disrupted the set-piece and dominated the scrum early on. Injuries to locks Maro Itoje and James Ryan didn’t help, but a 76 per cent lineout success rate is low at Test level.
Two crucial throws in the final 20 minutes went astray when the Lions were chasing the game. Replacement lock Jeremy Williams made an impact for the Wallabies, winning two turnovers, including one deep in his own 22.
The instability in the set-piece limited the Lions’ backline, and in the heavy rain, mistakes mounted. Six of the seven starting backs conceded turnovers, with Freeman the only exception.
Skelton and White add experience and edge
The return of Will Skelton and Nic White to the starting XV gave Australia leadership and bite.
Skelton - like he did in the second Test - carried powerfully, while White brought control to a young backline. Both also engaged in plenty of niggle, winding up opponents and disrupting the Lions’ composure, particularly in the first half.
While it occasionally spilt over, notably when Ryan was injured on the floor, it contributed to the scrappy nature of the contest and played into Australian hands.
The Wallabies’ back row was also outstanding. Blindside Tom Hooper made 18 carries and won a turnover, while Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson were prominent in the tackle count.
Where next for Australia?
The Wallabies now turn to the Rugby Championship, facing two matches each against South Africa, Argentina, and New Zealand, respectively.
The Springboks will likely prove a formidable challenge up front, but if Schmidt can maximise the influence of Skelton, Taniela Tupou, and Rob Valetini, Australia could trouble Argentina and even push the All Blacks.
