British and Irish Lions made history on Saturday by winning their series against Australia, and with a game to spare, in the most dramatic of fashion.
Full-back Hugo Keenan scored a try with seconds remaining on the clock to give the Lions a 29-26 victory over the Wallabies in the second Test at the iconic MCG in Melbourne – in what was a record crowd of just over 90,000.
The contrast in emotions was palpable as the Lions’ jubilation was off against the backdrop of Australia heartache – with the hosts believing Keenan’s score should have been ruled out due to a contentious clear-out by replacement Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano in the build-up to it. However, TMO Eric Gauzins deemed their was no foul play and referee Andrea Piardi allowed the try to stand.
Australia dominate the first half
The second Test was nothing like the first Test – which the Lions controlled from the start in Brisbane. In Melbourne, it was the Wallabies on the front foot.
Head coach Joe Schmidt was able to recall the fit-again Rob Valentini and Will Skelton – with the duo adding formidable clout to the hosts’ pack. Their impact was evident as Australia dominated the collisions.
Australia’s early momentum was rewarded with two penalties converted by young fly-half Tom Lynagh.
Then, against the run of play, the Lions scored the first try of the match with a piece of brilliance by Dan Sheehan who dived over incoming tackles to cross the whitewash. Finn Russell missed the conversion so Australia led 6-5.
That one-point margin soon expanded though when veteran prop James Slipper crashed over to score. Things got worse for the visitors as Tommy Freeman was sin-binned for trying to kill Wallaby ball in the build-up to Slipper’s score.
That yellow card proved to be costly as the Wallabies began an onslaught as Jake Gordon and Tom Wright both scored tries in that time the Lions were reduced to 14 men. Lynagh was only able to convert Gordon’s score but the hosts led 23-5.
Freeman’s return saw Andy Farrell’s side regroup and they reduced the deficit when Tom Curry scored in the corner before half-time.
That wasn’t it for the first-half action though as Huw Jones powered through to score for the men in red as they finished the half trailing by just six points at 23-17.
Tense and tight second half ends in dramatic fashion
Australia lost a key figure for the second half when Valentini was unable to appear from the interval. Soon after the restart, Skelton had to go off too.
Despite the absence of these two key figures, Australia extended their lead to nine points when Lynagh kicked another penalty.
Lions responded once again with a wonderful few phases of attack. Bundee Aki started it with a big surge in midfield. Replacements Ellis Genge and Morgan both did likewise, either side of captain Maro Itoje’s attempt before the ball went out wide to James Lowe. The winger produced a wonderful offload to fellow Irish compatriot Tadhg Beirne who scored in the corner.
Russell did brilliant from out wide to convert the conversion to make it a two-point Test.
The Lions continued to put pressure on the Wallabies defence – with the hosts standing firm. With just over a minute left it seemed as though a Lions drop goal-attempt was on the cards but they remained patient.
After a carry by replacement lock James Ryan, scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park passed to Keenan in a 13th phase of attacking play. Collecting the ball from about 10m out, the full-back stood up Australia inside centre Len Ikitau before going on the outside of him to score – sparking the wild scenes with 51 seconds left.
There was still drama to be had with the TMO check on Morgan’s clear-out of Pizzano but once that was OK’d then came the contrasting emotions in a Test-match for the ages.
What’s next for the British and Irish Lions?
The Lions will be looking to go for a series whitewash with the final Test taking place at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday (11am, BST).
It is the first time since the 1997 tour of South Africa that a Lions team has won a series with a game to play.
Victory on Saturday in Sydney will also see Farrell’s side complete the first unbeaten tour since the ‘Invincibles’ 1974 trip to South Africa – regarded as the greatest rugby tour in history.
