Australia vs British & Irish Lions LIVE SCORE: Lions fighting back as crunch series hangs in the balance
Andy Farrell's side picked up a huge 27-19 victory in the first test, before a changed XV beat First Nations & Pacifica 24-19 to keep their perfect record Down Under going.
The Wallabies are boosted by the returns of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, bringing some power to the Aussies XV.
If the Lions can pick up another victory today, then they will settle the series with a game to spare.
just now By Sammy Sturzaker
TRY! Australia 26 – 24 British and Irish Lions
59. The difference is now only 2.
Tadgh Beirne does well from a brilliant offload from Lowe and finishes through contact in the corner.
Every time the Lions get into the 22 they seem to score.
Russell does well to convert from the corner.
3 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 26 – 17 British and Irish Lions
57. James Lowe brings down the ball well on the 10 metre line and skips past a tackle before being brough down.
Bundee Aki drives with immense speed and power to the Australian 10 metre line as the Lions are starting to get themselves into the game again.
The crowd are getting behind the team in red as they bring it to the 5 metre line.
6 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 26 – 17 British and Irish Lions
54. Curry with a brilliant tackle on Suaalii forces a knock on and that is his last involvement in the game as he is brought off for Jac Morgan who finally gets his chance.
Potentially a try-saving tackle, Tom Curry can go off with his head held high with his evening coming to an end with a try to his name.
James Ryan and Ellis Genge on, as Ollie Chessum and Andrew Porter exit.
8 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 26 – 17 British and Irish Lions
51. Tate McDermott rides 3 or 4 tackles and with an advantage does brilliantly to bring the home side into the 22.
The Lions have not really come out in the same way they went in from the first half.
Advantage is given and Lynagh opts to go for the 3 points and delivers well.
13 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 23 – 17 British and Irish Lions
49. Scrum on the Lions 22 is pulled back for a second go.
Gibson Park distributes the ball and Huw Jones skips past a tackle.
Finn Russell with a poor kick, probably his lowlight in this tour gives the ball back to Australia into touch and the ball is brought back into the Lions half.
15 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 23 – 17 British and Irish Lions
45. Kennan does superbly to keep the Lynagh long ball in and clears the ball from inside the 5 metre line under some pressure.
The Aussies keep the ball from the lineout at the half and Angus Bell drives through a sloppy Conan tackle.
Another deep kick from Lynagh goes to touch and the line out is retained by the Lions.
Skelton comes off looking at his calf after a monster performance from him, you hope that it is nothing serious and he is fit for the next game as he has really brought the game to the Lions today.
19 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 23 – 17 British and Irish Lions
43. Tremendous atmosphere here in Melbourne as the fans have had much to cheer about.
James Wilson in at the side again and the Lions win a penalty.
Chessum does well in a 3 man lineout but the resulting pass does not come off and the ball fails to progress.
Tadgh Beirne drives the ball extremely well but loses it and there is a scrum in the midfield.
22 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Second half Kick-off. Australia 23 – 17 British and Irish Lions
40. We are underway again at the MCG as Schmidt makes a double prop change with Gleeson and Bell coming on.
The first score will be crucial in this half.
24 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Lions roar back
Andy Farrell's side were down 23-5 and lacking physicality in the first half but Freeman's return from sin bin brought much needed fight that resulted in a stellar end to the first 40.
Joe Schmidt will be looking to stifle any fires and put the game to bed,
Game on.
46 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
TRY! Australia 23 – 5 British and Irish Lions
30. Tom Wright takes advantage of all the space and scores another brilliant try.
Suaalii with incredible footwork from deep makes the disorganised Lions pay as he offloads to Tom Wright.
The Wallabies are absolutely swarming this Lions team and its Men against Boys here so far today.
Lynagh misses another conversion.
50 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
TRY! Australia 18 – 5 British and Irish Lions
28. Gordon drives through a huge gap in the Lions back line.
Fin Russell was left alone to defend and is made to pay.
The Lions look all over the place here.
Lynagh converts from under the post.
52 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 11 – 5 British and Irish Lions
26. Tom Wright with a brilliant 50-22 kick just emphasises how sharp the Wallabies are looking today.
Pressure and possession is all in one direction currently completely driven by Skelton's power and presence.
Ikitau brings the ball 10 metres from the try line and the Aussies could make another one count now.
55 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
TRY! Australia 11 – 5 British and Irish Lions
23. Slipper carries the ball over the line and rewards the Wallabies for not settling for the 3 points.
Freeman is sent to the sidelines for a sin bin and the home side look extremely comfortable today.
Lynagh misses the conversion from a difficult angle.
58 minutes ago By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 6 – 5 British and Irish Lions
21. Skelton and Valetini have had a real impact on this Aussie side and have driven the ball magnificently just outside the Lions Try-line.
The Lions give away another penalty for offside and the Australians opt to keep the pressure on rather than settling for 3 points.
Today, 11:29 By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 6 – 5 British and Irish Lions
19. Australia have a scrum on the halfway line and keep the ball, quick hands pass down the right and Potter kicks it over Jones but the Lions hit it out to touch.
Harry Potter following a hit from Bundee Aki comes off for Tate McDermott.
Joe Schmidt could be regretting this 6-2 call on the bench if the injury is serious.
Today, 11:26 By Sammy Sturzaker
TRY! Australia 6 – 5 British and Irish Lions
15. Dan Sheehan with an acrobatic dive over the Australian backline touches the ball down.
The Lions were all in here, penalty after penalty resulting in accumulating pressure.
Finn Russell hits the post and misses the conversion.
The Lions have got a foothold in the game now. Game on.
Today, 11:22 By Sammy Sturzaker
NO TRY! Australia 6 – 5 British and Irish Lions
14. Clever lineout from the Lions results in a great drive with Bundee Aki.
The ball is dropped as is it brought over the line but an Aussie offside results in a Lions penalty.
Lions are getting into the game now.
Today, 11:18 By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 6 – 0 British and Irish Lions
10. Tom Lynagh converts another penalty from 41 metres out.
That will do his confidence the world of good as the Aussies double their lead.
Australia are really taking the game to the Lions in the opening 10 minutes.
Today, 11:16 By Sammy Sturzaker
Australia 3 – 0 British and Irish Lions
8. The Lions have the ball on the halfway as Gibson Park launches the ball forward, Lowe misses out in the air and Australia retain possesion.
Both teams seem to be struggling holding onto the ball as the Lions concede another penalty.
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