Australia beat British and Irish Lions 22-12 in lightning-hit third Test to avoid series whitewash

British and Irish Lions’ quest for an unprecedent series whitewash of Australia came to a crushing end as they lost 22-12 in treacherous conditions on Saturday, that saw the match temporarily suspended due to lightning too.

Having won the best-of-three series last week in Melbourne, the Lions were looking to make history by making it a clean sweep against the Wallabies and of the tour Down Under, having won their seven warm-up matches too.

However, it wasn’t to be for Andy Farrell’s side as they failed to get grips with the Sydney downpour and the Australian onslaught.

Australia wash away Lions hopes of a whitewash

An intense first half saw the Wallabies lead 8-0 courtesy of a Dylan Pietsch try and a Tom Lynagh penalty.

The physicality in the horrendous saw Lions captain Maro Itoje and wing Tommy Freeman forced off after failing HIAs.

The second half saw lock James Ryan added to the casuality list atfer his head crashed into the knee of giant Australian lock Will Skelton.

During the timeout for Ryan’s treatment, play then became suspended after lightning was reported nearby, causing a 40-minute delay.

Once the second half resumed there was still 37 minutes to be played. However, it was anything but a roaring start for the Lions as Australia extended their lead when Max Jorgensen capitalised on their loose play to score a try, which replacement Ben Donaldson converted to make it 15-0 to the hosts.

Jac Morgan crossed the whitewash to give the tourists hope with Finn Russell’s conversion making it an eight-point game.

However, the hope of a comeback dissipated when Ronan Kelleher went to the sin bin and Tate McDermott scored the Wallabies’ third try which Donaldson converted.

Will Stuart scored a late try for Lions but it was in vain, as Australia dominated this Test like the Lions did the first one in Brisbane a fortnight ago.