Lions player ratings vs Australia from the third test. The Wallabies avoided a 3-0 defeat by beating the tourists in Sydney.
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On a foul, rain-soaked night in Sydney, the Wallabies stunned the British & Irish Lions to seal a riotous 22-12 win and level the series.
Play was suspended for 40 minutes due to nearby lightning strikes, but that was just one part of the chaos.
Dylan Pietsch grabbed the first try, while Tom Lynagh added a penalty to put Australia 8-0 up at the break.
The first half was brutal. Maro Itoje, Tommy Freeman, and Lynagh all failed HIA assessments. Worse still, James Ryan was knocked unconscious after a horrific head clash with Will Skelton.
As Ryan received treatment, fights broke out, and lightning brought play to a halt after just 43 minutes.
When the match resumed, Max Jorgensen pounced on a Lions error to score in the corner. Ben Donaldson converted.
Jac Morgan hit back, but with Ronan Kelleher in the bin, Tate McDermott sealed it.
Too little, too late.
WALLABIES: 22
- Tries: Pietsch (8'), Jorgensen (54'), McDermott (70')
- Cons: Donaldson (55', 71')
- Pens: Lynagh (33')
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: 12
- Tries: J Morgan (61'), Stuart (79')
- Cons: Russell (62')
- Pens:
Lions player ratings vs Australia: Third Test
15. Hugo Keenan – 6
One of the stars of the series, Keenan wanted to pick up from his pivotal try from last week with a commanding effort as he swept the back-field. The Irishman had a quieter match in the 3rd Test, when compared to his heroics in Melbourne. Chased well upon his 58th-minute kick chase, for a hit that forced a knock-on.
14. Tommy Freeman – 5.5
The England wing was absolutely clattered into by Dylan Pietsch, with the torrential rain forcing Freeman to spill the ball in the Wallabies' 5m. Fronted up along the touch-line and linked up well with Russell, but received some medical attention as the physical fray took its toll. Off early at 38 minutes with the 'crimson mask', as a blood injury brought on Owen Farrell.
13. Huw Jones – 6
Fronted up to the challenge of nullifying his opposite man, despite some flashes of brilliance from Joseph Sua'ali'i. Showcased his versatility, as he was pushed out to the wing for the second half following the early exit of Tommy Freeman. Sent a wayward kick straight into touch, as he struggled early on with his move to the wing.
12. Bundee Aki – 6.5
His dynamic carrying was on full display, with the rain-soaked surface giving the centre an extra yard or two as he slid with each tackle. No secrets that Aki is the Lions' midfield wrecking ball, with the Wallabies pinning multiple players upon the danger man, to force the hold-up and a 20th-minute turnover.
Up-ended in contact at the 53rd minute, with serious defensive pressure pinned on the centre. Couldn't collect Kinghorn's pass, with Max Jorgensen then intercepting for Australia's second try.
11. Blair Kinghorn – 5.5
Making his first Test start, with James Lowe out of the squad. Involved with some nice touches out wide, as the Lions unleashed the flying Scotsman in the elements. Sent a wayward pass to Bundee Aki, which did not go to hands, as Max Jorgensen could intercept and break away for a try.
10. Finn Russell – 5
Could not muscle Dylan Pietsch into touch, as the Australian wing dove over the line, and the Scotsman to score the opening try. Sent dangerous nudges into the Wallabies' red zone to hammer up the pressure.
Showed that he is in fact human, as he knocked the ball on with an unforced error, as the rain poured down in Sydney. The fly-half showcased his class once the match restarted following the storm, with pinpoint passing and a deft touch from the boot.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 7
Took a palm to the face from Will Skelton in the early goings, as frustrations flared from the series-defeated Wallabies. Not backing down against the titanic Australian locks, before he and Nic White exchanged some 'choice words' let's say.
1. Andrew Porter – 5.5
Slipped at a scrum on the Lions' 5m line, as the torrential rain was havoc at scrum-time. Struggled up-front against the 283 combined kilos of tight-head prop Taniela Tupou and lock Will Skelton that forced the Irishman backwards.
2. Dan Sheehan – 5.5
The Wallabies weren't falling for the Leinster set-plays straight from the training pitch, as the rain called for close-quarter picks. Hard to pin the blame on Sheehan, as line-out consistency was hindered by the elements. At the heart of a mass brawl as both Nic White and Will Skelton targeted the hooker.
Struggled to deliver line-out ball to the re-shuffled pack, once both Itoje and Ryan went off with injuries. Handed the captaincy and led for a brief part of the final Test for a personal honour upon Itoje's exit. Back for double duty following Kelleher's sin-bin.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 7
The man of the hour for his ninth successive Lions Test start. Like Porter, the Lions struggled to dig in their heels at the scrum, with the rain. Wrestled Nic White to the deck as the halfback spilled the ball, with a well-timed tackle from the prop. Emptied the tank upon what would likely be his final run in red.
4. Maro Itoje – 6
The Lions captain makes his eighth successive Lions Test squad. Made a nice carry to the line from the back off a line-out, but was withdrawn midway through the first half for a HIA. Not the way the skipper would have wanted to end his tour as he failed his off-field tests and sat out the second half.
5. James Ryan – 6
The 4th Lions lock partner to Maro Itoje, after Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum and Joe McCarthy all went before him on the tour. Lost his scrum cap in the mass scrap, as Skelton ripped the headwear from the lock. Constantly fronting-up and feisty in the faces of the Wallabies. Plenty of concern around the lock, as Ryan was knocked unconscious and then stretchered off, having taken a knee to the head in a tackle on Will Skelton.
6. Tadhg Beirne – 8
Early line-out steal, asserted his aerial presence from the get-go. His breakdown turnover at the 25th minute ignited a massive first-half brawl, as the Munster man starred over the ball. Moved into the second row as James Ryan was removed early in the second half.
Took over the captaincy to close out the tour for the Lions, after Dan Sheehan was subbed off and Itoje failed a HIA. One of the Lions' best players once again, as the Munster man has been a stand-out player of the entire tour. Made a crucial hit on Jorgensen to hinder the offload to Pietsch, in a sure-fire scoring position at the 68th minute.
7. Tom Curry – 7.5
Ever-present at the breakdown, with the England back row constantly found around the tackle area. Keen to carry with some gain-line breaking touches. Won a pivotal turnover at a 28th-minute rolling maul, as the Lions defended their 5m line. Caught up in an off-the-ball scuffle with Tupou once again at the 58th minute. In some clear discomfort as his injuries added up, with a painful end to his tour.
8. Jack Conan – 7
Plenty of expectation for a solid showing at the back of the Lions pack, and Conan provided a grounding presence in the rain-drenched chaos. Worked well around the park to provide a constant defensive shoulder.
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher – 5
On at the 57th minute for Dan Sheehan, with the duty of calming down the set-piece struggles. Sent to the sin bin at the 69th minute for an offside offence.
17. Ellis Genge – 7.5
Brought on after the lengthy match postponement following the Sydney storm. Won an immediate scrum penalty against Taniela Tupou, to quieten down the hype around the tight-head. The Baby Rhino ended his tour with a solid replacement effort.
18. Will Stuart – 6
On for Tadhg Furlong at the 57th minute, to improve the Lions' scrum effort and to empty his high-octane tank around the park. Threw his weight into keeping out the Wallabies, yet the Lions struggled overall.
19. Ollie Chessum – 7
On after just 27 minutes as Lions captain Maro Itoje was withdrawn for a HIA, and to receive some stitches for a nasty cut. Got the Lions line-out back on track, after five failed set-pieces thanks to the rain. Impressive at the breakdown, but could not keep Tate McDermott out for the close-range try.
20. Jac Morgan – 8
Brought onto the pitch early in the second half, following the head injury to James Ryan. Made a thumping hit on Harry Wilson, as the Wallaby ran into contact with a full head of steam.
Bagged a really important score for the Lions, with a close-range drive on the 62nd minute. Had a tremendous impact off the bench, just what the Lions needed. Went too high upon his tackle on Tate McDermott, with the Wallabies calling for a card on the Welsh back row.
21. Ben Earl – 6.5
On for Jack Conan on the 63rd minute, and provided some nice touches in the second-half effort. Passed well as he drifted between the back-row and the midfield, with his flexibility on display.
22. Alex Mitchell – 5.5
Included in all 10 of the Lions matchday squads. On at the 71st minute to close out the match with another Test cap.
23. Owen Farrell – 7.5
On earlier than expected, with Freeman battered from repeated collisions with the Wallabies. Led the struggling tourists with his regular zeal, to try and keep the attacking flow ticking over despite the unforced errors. Solid passes, punching holes and finding his teammates when it mattered.
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