AS IT HAPPENED: They may have lost the series, but the Wallabies have got the last laugh, defeating the British & Irish Lions 22-12 in torrential conditions in Sydney.
It was a match that has it all - great tries, suspended play, and plenty of controversy, proving a fitting end to the series.
The Wallabies dominating possession and the scrum, with the game opening up in the second half with tries to Dylan Pietsch, Max Jorgensen and Tate McDermott.
Watch the Wallabies take on the British & Irish Lions live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Tensions have threatened to boil over on several occasions, as conditions continue to be difficult for both sides.
The Lions have lost Maro Itoje, while Tom Lynagh is also off, both for a HIA. Both have now failed subsequent tests and will take no further part in the game.
The Lions threatened with tries to Will Stuart and Jac Morgan, but it wasn't enough to claw back the deficit.
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80' AUS 22 BIL 12 Lions go to the corner, and maul it, the Wallabies shut it down, they go to the big men. Phase after phase, and they get an advantage. Lions knock it on but they go to an advantage. They tap and go, and finally score. Russell attempts a drop kick conversion and misses, but it doesn't matter. The Wallabies will defeat the Lions in 2025, with Tom Hooper player of the match.
78' AUS 22 BIL 7 Penalty to the Wallabies for the Lions holding on. Williams come up. They kick into the Lions 22. They attack, Donaldson attempts a kick, but shanks it out, and the Lions go quickly. They look dangerous, in space - and Suaalii shuts it down! But we might have head contact! No, penalty to Donaldson for tackle off the ball. Kellaway and Gleeson come on.
75' AUS 22 BIL 7 Lions attempt a quick restart, and get it back, they try to go wide, but a Wallaby leg gets in the way and they go into touch. Lions lineout - and pinched by Williams. Wallabies clear it as head into the final five minutes.
72' AUS 22 BIL 7 Wallabies do the scrum, go to the pigs, and McDermott snipes and scores! Critical try. Donaldson converts.
70' AUS 15 BIL 7 The Wallabies lineout works a charm, and the Lions are called for offside. The ball falls apart but the ref brings it back and gives them a warning. They go the maul again, then go to the pigs, penalty for offside - it breaks down, but the ref brings it back - and the ref is going to the pocket and Kelleher is off. Wallabies opt for a scrum.
67' AUS 15 BIL 7 Williams come on for Skelton as the Lions kick it out on the full - they win the lineout and go quick. We have an official crowd - 80,312! We have neck roll, penalty to the Wallabies. They go to the corner.
63' AUS 15 BIL 7 Lions go quick and attack well, up to the 5m line. They get an advantage, try to go wide it falls apart, but we go back for the penalty. Nonggorr comes on. Lions tap and go quick. Big men go - and it's a try! Morgan comes up with the try. Russell converts and the Lions are back in it.
60' AUS 15 BIL 0 Wilson knocks it on off the restart, scrum to the Lions. They go quick, but lose it and the Wallabies clear through White. Bell comes on for the Wallabies. We're stopping the game, TMO has noticed something. We continue on. Lions win the lineout and send it long, and we have a double knock on, Lions scrum. McDermott comes on for White, and we have a standing ovation.
57' AUS 15 BIL 0 Lions try to go wide, and the drop it, and Jorgenson picks it up! He's off! He scores! Donaldson converts and the Wallabies go further ahead.
55' AUS 8 BIL 0 Lions win a penalty for not releasing. They kick to the 22, win the lineout and try to go wide, but the Wallabies shut it down and force the knock on. Free kick to the Wallabies for driving the feed, they send it high.
51' AUS 8 BIL 0 Wallabies pinch the lineout and clear, Lions attack but it goes out off a Wallaby hand. Wallabies pinch it again, send it long and after broken play the ball goes out, Wallaby ball. They win it, but the Lions get it back and try to go quickly, but push it on the full. Wallabies send it long, Lions ground for a goal line drop out.
47' AUS 8 BIL 0 Wallabies attack quickly, and Tupou is in space - but drops it cold! Knock on, scrum to the Lions. Penalty for hinging the scrum to the Lions and it's there turn to attack. Genge comes onto the field. It's a scrappy lineout but another penalty to the Lions for playing the man without the ball.
43' AUS 8 BIL 0 Play has resumed, penalty to the Wallabies. Donaldson kicks into Lions territory.
BREAK IN PLAY: AUS 8 BIL 0 The Lions are now back on the field and have five minutes to warm up. Play to resume at 9:50pm.
BREAK IN PLAY: AUS 8 BIL 0 The Wallabies are back on the field and have started warm up. The match will officially resume at 9:50pm, with the Wallabies receiving a penalty for Lions retaliation.
BREAK IN PLAY: AUS 8 BIL 0 We have an update, teams will return to the field at 9:40pm AEST, with play expected to resume around 9:50pm.
BREAK IN PLAY: AUS 8 BIL 0 The fans are staying clear of the lower levels, but that hasn't stopped four streakers jumping the fence - at least the crowd are finding it entertaining.
WORLD RUGBY LIGHTNING POLICY:
Here is what World Rugby dictates happens with lightning:
When the lightning strike is within 6 miles of the venue, it is recommended that players are removed from the pitch.
The speed of sound through air is approximately 0.2 miles per second, so for every 5 seconds of time between the lightning flash and the associated thunder clap, the strike is 1 mile away.
The approximate distance (in miles) can be calculated by counting the time (in seconds) between the two events and dividing it by 5. Recommended safe distances from the lightning event is 6 miles.
Recommendations on best practice also state that it should only be considered safe to return to the field of play a minimum of 30 minutes after the final flash of lightning or clap of thunder has been seen/heard.
BREAK IN PLAY: AUS 8 BIL 0 We're going to having to have a break in play - with lightning sighted within 15km of the stadium.
43' AUS 8 BIL 0 Good restart by both sides, with Russell attempt a bomb and Wright takes the mark and sends it. Lions restart off the lineout. Ref calls time, James Ryan is out cold on the ground. We're stopping for a break. Jac Morgan will be coming on.
40' AUS 8 BIL 0 Both teams are back out on the field and we are underway!
40' AUS 8 BIL 0 Russell attempts a long kick, Wright takes the mark and clears to halfway. Lions attempt a lineout, but Frost pinches it and White kicks it into touch. That's it for the half.
39' AUS 8 BIL 0 Maro Itoje has failed his HIA, he will not return. However, the Lions look dangerous after a scrum advantage, they make it to the Wallabies 5m line - but Hooper turns it over and wins a penalty! Wallabies clear well. Freeman is also off with injury, and Owen Farrell comes on. Into the last minute.
34' AUS 8 BIL 0 Itoje is off for a HIA, Chessum comes on. They go to the maul, but the Lions shut it down. Scrum to Lions. They win it and go wide, but knock it on! Scrum to Wallabies. They push, win, and go to the forwards. The Lions shut it down well but concede an offside penalty, Wallabies point to the sticks. Lynagh nails it.
28' AUS 5 BIL 0 Russell knocks it on, the Wallabies have a scrum - then an advantage! They're off, into the 22, and look dangerous - until they knock it on, but it's penalty for offside. They go to the corner.
24' AUS 5 BIL 0 Good nudge from Lynagh into the Lions 22 - and the Wallabies look to attack. They go quick, and go to the big men, before the Lions earn a penalty - and it's on! They have to be separated, and the ref gives them a warning to all involved. It's a penalty for retaliation.
21' AUS 5 BIL 0 After a kicking battle, the Wallabies pinch the lineout but knock it on. Scrum to the Lions on halfway, they kick ahead, Wright clears. Lions win the lineout, but the Wallabies hold Aki up, and win the scrum.
17' AUS 5 BIL 0 A great passage of attack, and defence - and McReight earns a penalty off a brilliant Pietsch tackle. White clears, but the lineout fall the favour of the Lions, but the defensive pressure is strong and the Wallabies regain it and kick it long.
13' AUS 5 BIL 0 It's a messy restart for the Wallabies, but they recover and clear. Lions go quick and try to go wide, and Russell attempts a cross kick, but Wright beats them all to touch on the 5m line. Lions win the lineout, a penalty, then they tap and go.
9' AUS 5 BIL 0 Wallabies on the Lions 22 as the rain comes down. Wright nudges ahead but Keenan regathers - and the hosts use the wet surface to push him over the goal line. 5m scrum to the Wallabies. Harry peels and goes, and the forwards get to work, and they have an advantage. They go wide, Suaalii with the touch, and Pietsch scores! Try! Lynagh misses but the hosts draw blood first.
4' AUS 0 BIL 0 A back and forth passage of play, with both sides threatening to break the line, until the Lions win a penalty for not releasing. Russell goes to the 22. The Lions win the lineout but the Wallabies win a penalty back for the visitors not releasing.
0' AUS 0 BIL 0 Nika Amashukeli blows his whistle and we are underway.
KO T-MIN 2: The Australian national anthem is performed - and we are ready. The talk is over. Let's play!
KO T-MIN 5: A beautiful Welcome to Country is performed by Uncle Lloyd Walker, with the hype reel building the crowd up nicely. The crowd roars as the teams take the field, with the 'Lions' chant in full song! Chills.
KO T-MIN 15: The teams are off the field, and the teams are being read out, with lots of love for Nic White, Taniela Tupou and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for the Wallabies, and Maro Itoje and Finn Russell for the Lions.
KO T-MIN 30: The crowd is building very nicely here in Homebush, as both sides continue their warm up. The northern stand is looking very red, but there is a lot of gold everywhere else. Accor Stadium is looking a picture!
KO T-MIN 45: Both teams are out on the field and have started their preparations - despite the weather the crowd is building very well, with a lot of enthusiasm for the pre-match entertainment. There is a good buzz in the air, and a lot of gold in the crowd.
KO T-MIN 60: We have the toss - and the Wallabies have won it, the first time on the tour. They will kick off. It's confirmed - there will be no changes to either side.
KO T-MIN 70: The Wallabies are in the building. The rain is rolling through in buckets! Even the Lions players have to take cover as it pelts down, before shortly returning to begin setting up for warm-ups. At the request of the referees, the ground staff are painting the lines again - which gives a sense of how intense the rain is.
KO T-MIN 80: The Lions have arrived in the building, with the crowd building fast despite the weather. Conditions are wet and very soggy on ground, with plenty of rain forecast to pass through intermittently the entire evening. Expect some classic wet weather rugby!
KO T-MIN 90: Hello and welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the final British & Irish Lions test against the Wallabies. The series might be over, but no one has told either side or the fans, with both sides hungry to get a result and the sold out sign up at Accor Stadium - with 83,000 expected.
Tries: Pietsch, Jorgensen, McDermott
Con: Lynagh 0/1, Donaldson 2/2
Pen: Lynagh 1/1
Tries: Morgan, Stuart
Con: Russell 1/2
Cards: Kelleher (69' - Yellow)
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Tom Lynagh, Nic White; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper; Will Skelton, Nick Frost; Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, James Slipper
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.
LIONS (15-1): Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Blair Kinghorn; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne; James Ryan, Maro Itoje (capt); Tadgh Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
The Wallabies' clash with the British & Irish Lions will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and Channel Nine.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm AEST with kickoff expected at 8:00 pm AEST.
It will also be shown on Channel Nine, with coverage starting from 7:30 pm.
