Seldom has the weather won a Test match but you could make a strong case for it following the deluge which caused a 40 minute stoppage in this final test in Sydney on Saturday.
Persistent rain ruined the notion of open play and fast rugby from the start, but after the heartbreaking loss to the Lions in the last minute to Hugo Keenan’s try the previous week in Melbourne, it was perhaps only fitting that the sporting gods threw a bone to the hosts on this occasion.
A 2-1 series victory is not historic in the sense that a 3-0 might be, but nevertheless it is still a series victory which the British and Irish Lions haven’t achieved for 12 years – which was under Warren Gatland back in Australia when Brian O’Driscoll was sensationally dropped for the final test.
It was a tour in which the Lions were always loaded with class but didn’t quite manage to produce it long enough to be remembered as a special group. They won’t mind that and from an Ireland point of view, to have Keenan score the winning try in the second Test and then for Tadhg Beirne to be named Lions Player of the Series, was a huge fillip for Andy Farrell and co, who were and maybe still are accused (by the British media) of having the squad too green-colored for their liking.
Well done to our former Head Coach Joe Schmidt who finally got a victory and improved his side over the three games to the point where Aussie fans are now believing that they have a team who can compete with the elite once more.
This was a game to endure rather than enjoy at the Accor Stadium, where a dour game evolved from the sheer physicality that became hard to watch.
The injury problems with rugby came to the fore with four players having to receive treatment for head injuries, necessitating that James Ryan, skipper Maro Itoje and Tommy Freeman have to leave the action while Ireland hooker and stand in captain Dan Sheehan was responsible for a high tackle of Wallaby out half Tom Lynagh and will now serve a four-match ban after he was cited by the rugby commissioner at the match.
With all the comings and goings, the 40-minute delay was the tin hat on a bad night for the Lions and maybe rugby in general. Up to then Australia was the better team and a Dylan Pietsch's try and a penalty goal from Tom Lynagh out the hosts 8-0 lead at the interval. Early in the second half, Wallaby winger Max Jorgensen dipped down to make the score 15-0.
Game over this time as in the conditions, there was little chance that they could Lazarus-like rise from the dead again last week.
Yes, Welsh flanker Jac Morgan gave the Lions a glimmer of hope with a try but once Tate McDermott got over for a third home try, the 3-0 gig was up, despite a last minute try from substitute Will Stuart at the death.
Reserve hooker Rónan Kelleher was sent to the sinbin after repeated infringement on 68th minutes - a totally frustrating occasion for him and all involved with the Lions on the night.
British and Irish Lions: H Keenan; T Freeman, H Jones, B Aki, B Kinghorn; F Russell, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; M Itoje, J Ryan; T Beirne, T Curry (for Sheehan, 69), J Conan. Replacements: R Kelleher (for Sheehan, 57), E Genge (for Porter, 45), W Stuart (for Furlong, 57), O Chessum (for Itoje, 28), J Morgan (for Ryan, 43), B Earl (for Conan, 63), A Mitchell (for Gibson-Park, 71), O Farrell (for Freeman, 37).
Australia: T Wright; M Jorgensen, J Suaalii, L Ikitau, D Pietsch; T Lynagh, N White; J Slipper, B Pollard, T Tupou; N Frost, W Skelton; T Hooper, F McReight, H Wilson (capt) Replacements: B Paenga-Amosa (for Pollard, 72), A Bell (for Slipper, 57), Z Nonggorr (for Tupou, 60), J Williams (for Skelton, 63), L Gleeson (for Hooper, 77), T McDermott (for White, 58), B Donaldson (for Lynagh, 33), A Kellaway (for Jorgensen, 77).
Ref: N Amashukeli (GRU).
