Lions player ratings v Australia: Hugo Keenan and Tom Curry the best from a disappointing third Test
The nightmare scenario for a full-back was the Sydney weather forecast. Keenan, the hero of the hour last week, had to do all the unglamorous stuff in trying to keep hold of a bar of soap. Did well enough and kept at it. 6
Tommy Freeman
Unfulfilled. It has not been the most accomplished tour for all sorts of reasons for the England wing who has come nowhere near his Six Nations form. Slightly shaky in defence and ended unceremoniously with a half-time HIA. 4
Huw Jones
Rejigged to the wing but had been unable to get into the game prior to the shuffle of resources. It was not a night for shovelling the ball down the line although the Wallabies did seem to manage it well enough. Made a right hash of one lovely chance created by Finn Russell. 4.5
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Bundee Aki
Didn't miss a beat to the PA karaoke at the stadium in the lightning break but was off-key out where it mattered. It ought to have been the burly centre's sort of occasion but he was unable to make an impression and his hands let him down with several fumbles. 4
British & Irish Lions players, from left, Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and Andrew Porter. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Blair Kinghorn
Not a night for taking a last shot at glory. Kinghorn earned his starting place as one of two changes but the Scot was living off scraps for the entire evening. Did what he could in a losing cause. 5.5
Finn Russell
On the back foot. For the first time in a long time, Russell looked shaky and more flustered than usual. The Scotland fly-half was not able to find territory in the conditions but couldn't find anything in his box of tricks. No rabbit, no magic. 5.5
Jamison Gibson-Park
Had to play second fiddle to his chirpy opposite number, Nic White. Gibson-Park didn't manage to get his forwards thumping forward in the same manner. Kept his composure and energy levels high with one late intervention in the tackle. 5.5
Andrew Porter
Under the cosh and was unable to guarantee a stable foundation for the scrummage as the Wallabies heavyweights got stuck into the Lions. Gave way to Genge early in the second-half to bring an end to what had been a decent tour for him. 5
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Dan Sheehan
A lucky boy and off the mark with his line-out throwing, Sheehan was fortunate to escape a card for his clear-out on Wallaby fly-half Tom Lynagh who was forced off just before half-time. Could have been red. Sheehan then had to step up to lead the side. His darts were way below his normal level with five losses. 4
Tadhg Furlong
The History Man. Furlong may have notched up a significant landmark with his ninth successive start for the Lions but the Leinster tighthead knew that stats mean little without substance on the field and the Lions scrum had a difficult night of it. 5
Maro Itoje (capt)
Brought down to earth. Poor old Maro, feted the length and breadth of these isles but forced out of the series after 28 minutes with an HIA. It was an unsatisfactory feeling. The highs and lows of sport. 4.5
James Ryan
Another in the wars. Ryan felled when making contact with a Wallaby knee, a typical action of his in a fierce, close-quarters game. Ryan had been in the thick of it as he tried to quell the considerable force-field that is Will Skelton. 5.5
Lions' James Ryan gives a thumbs up as he is stretchered off the pitch. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher.
Tadhg Beirne
Had to graft and graft to make an impact. The Lions were second best at the breakdown in the first half, ceding six turnovers to two as the Wallabies brought their most abrasive game to fever pitch. 5.5
Tom Curry
Never flagged, chasing hard and scragging in his usual manner but the Lions had a torrid time of it in the battering stakes at the breakdown. Even the seemingly indomitable Curry had eventually to wave the white flag as he was led from the field looking entirely spent. 6
Jack Conan
As honest as ever but the Lions back-row was nearly always on the back foot and Conan could do little except to scrap away as the green and gold forwards thundered forward. 5.5
Replacements
Just couldn't make the desired impact. The bench was right in the thick of it as three players were off by early in the second-half with Ollie Chessum, Owen Farrell and Jac Morgan all called to arms.
Ellis Genge was also on the field within minutes of the re-start and immediately made an impact as the Lions won a penalty at the scrum. Morgan, too, was conspicuous, helping to win a turnover after a hefty upfield clatter from Wallaby no.8, Harry Wilson, and then getting on the scoresheet once again.
We might have expected that Owen Farrell's kicking would have been influential but it never came to that. Ronan Kelleher had no chance to affect the skewed lineout as he was soon in the sin-bin.
Ben Earl scampered well but the Lions were on the back foot and simply couldn't get into it. 5.
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