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The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Keenan's last-gasp try seals the series for the Lions at the MCG
Australia 26 Lions 29 WITH SIX MINUTES left, we were told that a new record crowd of 90,307 was here at the MCG in Melbourne. It's the second-biggest crowd ever at a Lions Test and the biggest on Australian soil in history. At that moment, Wallabies fans must have been worried that their men were running dangerously close to empty after a stunning performance that had Joe Schmidt's fingerprints all over it. They were right to feel that anxiety. With the Lions' bench making a big impact, the tourists' supporters must have sensed that there was some inevitability to this, that their men would find the last surge to overturn a two-point deficit. And that proved the case as Hugo Keenan's superb last-minute try sealed the series for them. The Lions' celebrations were briefly put on hold as the TMO, Eric Gauzins, spotted potential head contact from Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano in a ruck, but referee Andrea Piardi was happy it was legal. And so, the party kicked off properly. The Lions' brilliant team score in the last minute means they grabbed victory in one of the greatest Test matches they have been part of. It was an utterly thrilling and enthralling contest at this magnificent stadium in Melbourne. The Lions were 18 points down at one stage in the first half, making this the biggest comeback win ever in one of these series. Captain Maro Itoje came up with some huge moments in the second half, Tadhg Beirne was as brilliant ever, Jamison Gibson-Park showed his class, Bundee Aki gave a barnstorming performance, while replacements like James Ryan, Ellis Genge, and Blair Kinghorn were pivotal. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO After all the disrespectful chat that the Lions shouldn't come to Australia again and that this has been a terrible series, the wonderful Wallabies turned up in impressive style. Led by tireless skipper Harry Wilson, they didn't deserve to lose. They nearly shocked the Lions, who were widely expected to have too much quality. Andy Farrell's men had to show their steel to grab it at the death but they had the composure required to hold onto the ball through multiple phases before Keenan surged over on the left-hand side. The Wallabies played some brilliant rugby, even as sub scrum-half Tate McDermott had to spend more than 60 minutes on the wing due to an injury. Schmidt's side took advantage when Lions wing Tommy Freeman was in the sin bin during the first half, scoring two tries in that period. The returning Will Skelton and Rob Valetini had a massive impact with their physicality but it was a smart, well-planned Wallabies performance too. That big-hitting duo were replaced relatively early and while the Lions bench impacted hugely, the hosts faded. The Lions always had a bit of muscle when they needed it, winning three scrum penalties, and putting together some superb attack as Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, Huw Jones, Tadhg Beirne, and Keenan scored their five tries. Advertisement At times, the Wallabies simply couldn't cope with that Lions power and precision. Though Farrell's men had wobbly moments, Farrell will be proud at how they never stopped believing. Now they'll look to make it 3-0 in Sydney next weekend. There was a huge crowd at the MCG. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO The first half was sensational, the Wallabies scoring 17 unanswered points in one spell, then the Lions responding with 12 unanswered points of their own just before the break to drag themselves back into the game. Schmidt's men were brutally powerful and direct from the off, earning a 6-0 lead through two Tom Lynagh penalties before the Lions responded with a smart score from hooker Dan Sheehan, who tapped a five metre penalty and dove over Dave Porecki and James Slipper, who were expecting a low carry. Russell hit the post with his conversion and the Lions were soon under the pump at the other end after more outstanding Australian ball-carrying. The Wallabies said no to an easy three points from in front of the posts, kicked into the left corner, and Slipper snuck underneath Jack Conan and Russell to score. Referee Piardi had lost patience with the Lions' poor discipline and sin-binned right wing Tommy Freeman for being offside in that passage. And the Wallabies prospered against 14 men as Tom Wright kicked a brilliant 50:22 then more savage carrying across 17 phases left scrum-half Jake Gordon in position to snipe between Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong to score. Straight from the restart, wing Max Jorgensen nearly broke out from deep in his own half before centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii cut the Lions to shreds by scything inside Bundee Aki and past Porter before sending Wright clear from 40 metres out. Lynagh again missed the conversion but the Wallabies were 23-5 in front. Will Skelton was in the thick of everything. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO And it was a knock-on from Lynagh that gave the Lions' an invite to attack again, with Jamison Gibson-Park making a smart decision to go into the shortside in the Wallabies' 22, with Conan classily giving Tom Curry the chance to finish smartly in the right corner. A good line kick from Russell after the Wallabies came in the side of a breakdown gave the Lions one final chance before the break. And they took it. Sheehan and Conan were among those to carry powerfully before an emphatic finish from centre Huw Jones. But even with Valetini off at half time and Skelton joining him soon after, the Wallabies returned to nailing the fundamental skills in attack and earned themselves a penalty that Lynagh kicked for 26-17. The Wallabies nearly broke away for another brilliant score soon after as Langi Gleeson, on for Valetini, surged into the Lions' half and connected with Fraser McReight, who found Suaalii. But just when it looked like Suaalii would move the ball on again into space, Curry appeared from nowhere and forced a knock-on. It was a crucial tackle. Because only minutes later, the Lions were down the other end landing a big blow. Aggressive carrying from the superb James Ryan and Ellis Genge, both just off the bench, helped to build momentum before left wing James Lowe wonderfully preserved space down the left and then Tadhg Beirne blasted over. Dan Sheehan celebrates his first-half try. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO Russell's excellent conversion left the Lions training by just two with a quarter of the game still to go. With their beefy bench being rolled out, momentum seemed to be on the Lions' side, captain Maro Itoje winning a breakdown turnover they kicked into the left corner. The Wallabies kept fighting for everything, sub back row Carlo Tizzano earning a crucial poach just in front of his own tryline to lift the siege. The Lions' scrum continued to prosper, winning a third penalty but they couldn't crack the Wallabies down in the 22 after a brilliant break from replacement wing Blair Kinghorn. This time, sub tighthead Will Stuart rolled on the ground after being tackled, denying Gleeson a poach attempt. Itoje came up with another big play as he led a maul turnover that gave his team another chance, only for Genge to knock on as they looked to enter the Wallabies' 22. But the Lions had one more sting left in their tail. Keenan had the final say. Australia scorers: Tries: James Slipper, Jake Gordon, Tom Wright Conversions: Tom Lynagh [1 from 3] Penalties: Tom Lynagh [3 from 3] Lions scorers: Tries: Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, Huw Jones, Tadhg Beirne, Hugo Keenan Conversions: Finn Russell [2 from 5] AUSTRALIA: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter (Tate McDermott '20); Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper (Angus Bell 'HT), David Porecki (Billy Pollard '57), Allan Alaalatoa (Tom Robertson 'HT); Nick Frost, Will Skelton (Jeremy Williams '48); Rob Valetini (Langi Gleeson 'HT), Fraser McReight (Carlo Tizzano '61), Harry Wilson (captain). Replacements not used: Ben Donaldson LIONS: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman (yellow card '24), Huw Jones (Owen Farrell '61), Bundee Aki, James Lowe (Blair Kinghorn '61); Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park (Alex Mitchell '); Andrew Porter (Ellis Genge '55), Dan Sheehan (Rónan Kelleher '65), Tadhg Furlong (Will Stuart '65); Maro Itoje (captain), Ollie Chessum (James Ryan '55); Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry (Jac Morgan '55), Jack Conan. Referee: Andrea Piardi [Italy].
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Second Test ratings: Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan top men as Lions clinch series
The British and Irish Lions wrapped up a first Test series win since 2013 as they beat Australia 29-26 in Sydney. It took a last-gasp Hugo Keenan try to down the Wallabies, who looked a completely different outfit from the opening defeat. Here's how we rated the Lions players. 15. Hugo Keenan – 8 The Ireland full-back will go down in legend as the series-winning try-scorer, showing great fitness and guile to work the late score. Had a mixed game before that but came up with a big defensive play in the second half and an assist for Huw Jones' try. 14. Tommy Freeman – 7 Sin-binned for going offside after a referee warning and the Lions shipped 12 points when he was off. Made a great impact upon return but otherwise didn't get loose to use his pace. 13. Huw Jones – 7 Played second fiddle to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii but got his name on the scoresheet as the Lions mounted their first-half comeback. 12. Bundee Aki – 7.5 Did what was asked after coming in for Sione Tuipulotu. Carried hard and tackled hard but was caught for Tom Wright's try. Made a great break in the second half that led to Tadhg Beirne's try when the Lions needed some impetus. 11. James Lowe – 7 Carried for hard and clever yards but didn't kick to his standard. Made a couple of defensive errors but made up with a superb assist for Beirne, beating and drawing defenders to make space for the score. 10. Finn Russell – 8 Another mature, accomplished performance from the out-half. Kicked two conversions but missed three that could have been costly. His touch-kicking from penalties was excellent, putting the Lions in position to strike. 9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 8 Solid outing by the scrum-half, who matched up with an inspired counterpart in Jake Gordon. Spotted the chance on the outside for Tom Curry's score that started the comeback. 1. Andrew Porter – 7.5 Slotted into the all-Irish front row and helped the visitors assert dominance up front. Carried well when asked and racked up 16 tackles. 2. Dan Sheehan – 7.5 Busy shift in the middle of the park and again, flawless out of touch. Showed great smarts taking his try in that fashion, diving for the line to negate the predictable incoming chop tackle. 3- Tadhg Furlong – 7.5 Strong showing by the Lions veteran, who has started the last eight consecutive Tests. Never took a backward step and made 11 tackles. 4. Maro Itoje – 7.5 Conceded a couple of early penalties but got through a huge amount of work, was named the official player of the match. Completed 20 tackles. 5. Ollie Chessum – 7 Second best to Will Skelton but put in a solid performance in the second row. Was used in the lineout. Had 13 tackles to his name. 6. Tadhg Beirne – 7.5 Had a mixed bag, with a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes with the ball. Took his crucial try brilliantly. Was top-carrier for the Lions with 11 and completed 12 tackles. 7. Tom Curry – 7.5 Another who didn't reach the heights of last week but got on the scoresheet with a well-taken try at a vital point of the game. Busy and effective at the breakdown and contributed 15 tackles. 8. Jack Conan – 7.5 An unbelievably consistent performer. Does what it says on the tin. His carrying, breakdown play and defence helps everyone else look better. Set up Curry's try. 16. Rónan Kelleher (for Sheehan 65) – 6.5 Helped the Lions get the job done. 17. Genge (for Porter 55) – 7.5 Carried well when he came on and added much-needed energy. 18. Will Stuart (for Furlong 65) – 7 Penalised when the Lions were in good position but made up for a carry that led to the winning try. 19. James Ryan (for Chessum 55) – 7.5 Made an instant and hard-hitting impact on his debut. Fitting. 20. Jac Morgan (for Curry 55) – 7 Another who added crunch to the Lions comeback. Rightfully not penalised in the final passage. 22. Owen Farrell (for Jones 61) – 6.5 Cool head for the final stages. 23. Blair Kinghorn (for Lowe 61) – 6.5 Knocked on but made a nice break.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Lions v Australia player ratings: Maro Itoje stands tall, James Lowe struggles again
The British and Irish Lions have won their Test series with Australia after a 29-26 win in Melbourne gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead. Here is Telegraph Sport 's analysis of who put their hand up for a Test start and who took a step back. Give your opinion with our thumbs up/thumbs down voting tool. Lions HUGO KEENAN WINS IT FOR THE LIONS! 🦁 — Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 26, 2025 Tadhg Beirne POWERS over the line for the Lions! 🦁💪 — Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 26, 2025 How about these feet from Tom Curry for his try 😮💨 — Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 26, 2025
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Ollie Chessum: It's my turn to set the tone physically for Lions
There were just 12 seconds on the clock in the first Test last week when Tom Curry folded James Slipper, the Australia prop, in half like an ironing board in the first of a dozen thunderous tackles. Two seconds and one phase later with Australia on the back foot, centre Joseph Suaalii carried timidly into contact allowing Tadhg Beirne to swoop in for a holding-on penalty. At a stroke, the Lions flankers had combined to set the tone for a first half of complete physical dominance. Australia fought back after half-time but the damage had already been done. Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt later complained that his side had been too 'submissive' but in the eyes of Ollie Chessum, who had a sideline seat as a replacement, that was a result of the early Curry-Beirne one-two punch. 'I'd been sat down for about 30 seconds when that first hit went in,' said Chessum, who starts in the second Test as one of three changes. 'I think we knew from then on that the tone was set for the game, for us and for them. It's a huge energy lift. It's exactly how you plan for a game to go, that first contact you get to lay down a marker and that's what Curry did for the team. 'Largely for the first half, you could see the boys built off the back of that and the second half we didn't and you see the knock-on effect, a team grows a leg and comes back into the game. I suppose the fix-up for us this week is that whoever lays down the marker this week, whoever is lucky enough to get that first shot, we keep that intensity for the other 79 minutes of the game.' Ollie Chessum levels it up 👊 — Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2025 Coming in for Ireland enforcer Joe McCarthy, who has a foot injury, it is Chessum's task not just to match that level of physicality but raise it against an Australia desperately fighting to rescue the Test series. To counteract any hint of submissiveness, Schmidt has brought in second row Will Skelton and flanker Rob Valetini as well as deploying a six-two bench. While weather forecasters are expecting Melbourne to escape the torrential rain that has affected other parts of the country, Chessum knows that a storm will still be coming at the MCG on Saturday. 'I expect no different this week, I expect it to go up another level,' Chessum said. 'Maro [Itoje] said it to us in the week, what we produced last Saturday will not be good enough this Saturday. There's a whole different beast coming down the road and we'll have to front up and tackle it head-on. 'This is everything that international rugby is all about. Physicality goes up through the roof, the intensity goes up through the roof, the speed of the game goes up through the roof and you have to walk towards it because if you don't, you'll get found out pretty quickly.' Chessum, who was once let go by Leicester's academy, says that he still suffers from impostor syndrome playing at a venue such as the MCG where he remembers watching England's cricket team toil. 'You think, 'How on earth did I get here?',' the 24-year-old said. 'But you genuinely have to believe in why you're here and why Faz has put the trust in you to play in a Test match.' At 1-6 on, Lions go into the second Test as even bigger favourites than in Brisbane and it feels that obituaries have already been prepared for the Wallabies. Captain Itoje made a point of saying that Australia are 'not a pub team' and Chessum insists there is no trace of complacency in the Lions camp. 'They're going to draw on every emotional aspect of this game that they can,' Chessum said. 'They are 1-0 down in the series but they are at the MCG, in front of their fans, on their home soil with the series on the line. They know they're going to throw the kitchen sink at us and that's a real statement in the team they've named as well. So it's a proper challenge laid down to us. 'What was it last weekend – an eight-point game? They are no mugs and they've just announced a team with some huge names back in the side so absolutely have to treat them with the respect they deserve. If you go walking and cruising into this one, then I think we'll get shown up early doors.' 'We said right from the start that we want to lay down a marker and be the best Lions team there has ever been. If we are to do that, we've got to make ourselves part of that history and do the job at the weekend. It's all part of it. At the end of the day, you've got to bring it back to the basics of your own game, go through your match prep and what gets you going for the weekend. But there is no game like this ever. It's completely different in that respect.' 'Icon' Johnson presents shirts to players The Lions will seek to make history by closing out back-to-back series wins over Australia for the first time after Martin Johnson presented the squad with their Test jerseys. Johnson handed a shirt to each individual member of their match-day squad in a special ceremony at the team hotel in Melbourne before dinner on Thursday night before the Lions take on Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Most of the squad were not yet born when Johnson led the Lions to a series victory over South Africa in 1997 before suffering a 2-1 loss to the Wallabies four years later, but according to Lions assistant coach John Fogarty, the World Cup-winning captain held the players spellbound. 'Martin came in last night and he speaks nice and calmly,' Fogarty said. 'It was so cool to have him there. It was a privilege really. The room was completely quiet for the whole time he was there and spoke. There were guys just staring up at him. Maro asked him a question or two and then he handed out the jerseys. It has been such a privilege this whole journey to have someone like him come in and talk to the lads was another privilege. 'They [the players] knew who he was for sure. There was a bit of contemplation and reflection after he talked which is a good thing. You don't just want to turn around and get your dinner. There was a bit of thinking and there were conversations, but it was a quiet room because they wanted to listen to a guy they see as an icon. It was pretty cool.' In 2001, the series hinged on Joe Roff's interception of Jonny Wilkinson's pass in the second Test at the MCG and Johnson's main message to the squad was the need to keep their cool in front of an expected crowd of 95,000. 'He talked a bit about the Lions series they won [1997] and the Lions series they lost [2001],' Fogarty said. 'He spoke about how in the biggest games the fundamentals are incredibly important. There's going to be errors but not compounding errors on errors is a huge part of winning big games. It was really cool. 'The error bit, what he is talking about there is being able to get back to neutral and talking about being in the moment. All that stuff is difficult when you're playing in front of 95,000 people in a stadium as iconic as this. 'When you are under pressure or applying pressure your emotions can go up and down so being able to get back to neutral or find a way to get clarity back in your mind in the shortest of times is difficult for players. I think that's really important for us tomorrow. We are not going to get everything our own way and we understand what type of a game and how big a game it is going to be for both teams and we know it is going to be a game of small margins. So that's good advice.'
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Lions v Wallabies head-to-heads: Tadhg Beirne v Rob Valetini
Tadhg Beirne Position: Blindside flanker Age: 33 Height: 6ft 6 Weight: 113kg (17st 11lbs) READ MORE Lions Tests: 3 Points: 0 Why he's so important: There is one statistic that goes to the centre of why the Munster and Ireland forward is invaluable to the teams in which he plays and that is the number of turnovers he manages. Beirne is a pilferer par extraordinaire at the breakdown. He has won eight turnovers in five matches on the current Lions tour and three of those came in last Saturday's first Test. Andy Farrell spoke about the Kildare native being a big-game player before selecting him in the win over the Wallabies and Beirne more than repaid that faith with a man-of-the-match display. His ability to survive the rough and tumble of clean-outs at rucks is remarkable at times. Tadhg Beirne during a Lions training session at Xavier College in Melbourne on Thursday. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho It'll be a surprise if Beirne isn't targeted by the Aussies on Saturday to try to mitigate the threat he poses but they'll have to be quick and shrewd. He's also an excellent lineout forward and his athleticism allows him to be a regular contributor on both sides of the ball. He's stuck 58 of 64 tackles. There's no need though to rely on numbers to evaluate his contribution as his value to the Lions is easily discernible to the naked eye. He is indeed one who performs in important games, something that he'll be keen to reinforce in Melbourne. Trivia: Beirne is one of three Lions to score on his debut, alongside wings Josh Adams and Duhan van der Merwe, having crossed for a try against Japan at Murrayfield in 2021 ahead of the tour to South Africa. Rob Valetini Position: Blindside flanker Age: 26 Height: 6ft 4 Weight: 113kg (17st 11lbs) Caps: 52 Points: 25 Why he's so important: A two-time winner of the John Eales Medal awarded to the best Australian player voted by the Australian Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Players Association, it underlines the consistent excellence of the Melbourne-born backrow of Fijian heritage. Signed to a Super Rugby franchise, he played for the Rebels under-20s as a 17-year-old in 2016 and despite a couple of serious MCL tears he's compiled quite the rugby career. Prior to the international against Wales in the Principality Stadium last November, Valetini had played 47 of Australia's previous 50 Test matches, the majority of which he played the full 80 minutes. Absent last week because of a calf injury, Valetini will provide the Wallabies with more ballast and athleticism, and he's also a player who carries effectively, whether that's through traffic or in being released in the winder channels, as well as being aggressive in the tackle. Rob Valetini during a Wallabies training session in Melbourne on Tuesday. Photograph: William West/AFP via Getty Images Australia lost many of the physical collisions in the first 50-minutes of last weekend's Test; Valetini will be a key figure in trying to redress that issue. If the Wallabies are to win then he is likely to be an important figure in the process. The Lions will look to curtail him at source, to shut him down quickly and negate that influence. It's easier said than done. Trivia: Valetini had hoped to face one of his former team-mates, but the Melbourne-born Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu hasn't retained his Lions place from the first Test. Valetini explained: 'I played through all my grades growing up with Sione. He was the guy you wanted to be in rugby in Melbourne and I was pretty shocked when he had to leave (Australia). It's been a wild journey for him to be able to come back here and play for the Lions against us.' Andy Farrell's Lions fire the first shot in Australia Listen | 46:27
