The British & Irish Lions got here again from an 18-point deficit to beat Australia 29-26 in entrance a mammoth crowd in Melbourne on Saturday.
A contentious strive within the final minute by Hugo Keenan capped a unprecedented comeback win for the Lions in entrance of a report crowd on the Melbourne Cricket Floor.
Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, Huw Jones and Tadgh Beirne additionally scored tries for the Lions.
– Report: Lions beat Australia 29-26 in Melbourne
In 2001 and 2013 the Lions misplaced in Melbourne after successful the primary match of a three-test collection towards the Wallabies to drive the collection to a decider.
However Keenan’s strive within the dying seconds allowed the Lions to keep away from that destiny for the primary time. After successful the primary take a look at 29-17, they managed to beat a vastly improved Australia that at occasions dominated Saturday’s match.
“Andy [Farrell], he advised us that we should not have any doubt in our thoughts that we will win this sport,” Lions captain Maro Itoje, named man of the match, mentioned of his coach.
“Let’s proceed to play huge. Clearly, there’s hundreds, a great deal of errors, a great deal of errors, however we performed huge, we acquired the win, and that is all that issues.”
Itoje gained Man of the Match, however who else stepped up on the MCG?
Andrew Porter, prop
RATING: 7.5
Stress on his shoulders after coming in for Ellis Genge and dealt with the event properly. Not a classic efficiency however did his job at scrum time.
Dan Sheehan, hooker
RATING: 8
Sensible play for the opening strive with a Superman dive over a sort out to attain. Strong as at all times at scrum time too.
Tadhg Furlong, prop
RATING: 8
There was quite a lot of doubt round Furlong coming into the collection with numerous accidents however there is a cause Andy Farrell turned to him. A frontrunner on and off the pitch. Strong in Melbourne and they’d have missed him if he wasn’t there.
Maro Itoje, lock
RATING: 8.5
Participant of the Match. Had loads on his shoulders with tense moments, significantly in coping with the referee however dealt with the event extremely properly. A collection successful captain of the Lions.
Ollie Chessum, lock
RATING: 7
Obtained by means of a mountain of the robust work. Nothing flashy however did the job Farrell could have wished him to do.
Tadhg Beirne, flanker
RATING: 8
Some huge moments significantly within the second half. Obtained his try to pulled off a couple of huge carries to get his group on the entrance foot after they wanted it most.
Tom Curry, flanker
RATING: 7.5
One other strong efficiency and completed his strive properly. Gained a few essential penalties and proved once more he is an enormous sport participant.
Jack Conan, No. 8
RATING: 7
A quieter sport and did not have the perfect time on the lineout however was reliable for essentially the most half.
Jamison Gibson-Park, scrum-half
RATING: 8
Not his easiest sport however amid the carnage and drama proved a cool head. His imaginative and prescient and fast considering is second to none.
Finn Russell, fly-half
RATING: 7
Made a few uncommon errors that put the Lions on the again foot however his conversion after the Beirne strive was very important and he managed all the things within the ultimate passage of play.
Bundee Aki, inside centre
RATING: 7
A couple of big carries however light a bit within the second half. Might have proven his physicality extra when the Lions had been beneath the pump within the first half however had his moments.
Huw Jones, outdoors centre
RATING: 7.5
Gave away a penalty which led to an Australian strive. Recovered with one among his personal however wasn’t as impactful all through as he would have wished to be.
James Lowe, left wing
RATING: 6.5
One other difficult sport for Lowe who produced a blended bag. Sturdy by means of contact however some unfastened touches too.
Tommy Freeman, proper wing
RATING: 6.5
A lot the identical as final week. Some good moments however his 10 minutes within the bin –albeit on account of collective penalties — price the Lions dearly.
Hugo Keenan, fullback
RATING: 7.5
Was first rate on the again and got here up with the match successful second. Nobody can take that away from him.
Replacements:
Ronan Kelleher: 7 – Sturdy within the scrum and lineout when he got here on.
Ellis Genge: 8 – Had some extent to show after being dropped and made an affect when he changed Porter.
Will Stuart: 8 – Slotted into the scrum and introduced the physicality the Lions had been lacking within the second half final week.
James Ryan: 7 – Additionally introduced a raise to the pack off the bench when his facet wanted it most. Ensured Australia did not get on high bodily.
Jac Morgan: 7 – Coronary heart-in-mouth second with a questionable filter on the very finish of the match. Ended up going his manner.
Alex Mitchell: N/A
Owen Farrell: N/A
Blair Kinghorn: 8 – A few actually good runs with some good footwork to interrupt open the Australian defence. Made a transparent affect.
