The British and Irish Lions were denied a perfect tour on Saturday as they were beaten 22-12 by Australia in their final summer Test.
Australia had come agonizingly close to beating the tourists in the second Test, beaten by way of a last-play try, but dodged the ignominy of a series sweep with a composed showing in inhospitable conditions.
The Wallabies kept their composure as torrential rain complicated the affair, and responded better as the second half was temporarily halted for a lightning delay, extending their lead as the error-strewn Lions fumbled. They led by eight at the break, and extended their advantage after the second-half lightning delay to counteract the Lions’ late push.
Andy Farrell’s side will be disappointed not to become the first perfect Lions outfit since 1927, but can hold their heads high with a hard-fought series win under their belts.
The Lions struggled to grow into the match after Dyland Pietsch’s fifth-minute opener, scored in the corner as Australia made good on an early spell of pressure. The unrelenting rain made conditions challenging, handling errors were regular and glaring, and the Lions could not muster any serious attacking threat.
They failed to score before the break for the first time since 2005, but gritty defending saw them tally 95 first-half tackles, limiting the territorially dominant Australia to just eight points.
There was bad news for the Lions, though, as captain Maro Itoje was dismissed for a head injury assessment with less than half an hour played, and did not return. Injury concerns worsened early in the second half, as James Ryan was carted off after bouncing off Will Skelton.
With two key forwards out, the tourists had a mountain to climb, but after their remarkable second Test comeback, anything was possible. They had plenty of time to rest and reassess as play was suspended for 40 minutes due to lightning, with less than three minutes of the second half played.
The Lions were not much improved when play resumed, though. Clumsy handling persisted, and the deficit widened after Bundee Aki fumbled Owen Farrell’s pass into the grateful hands of Max Jorgensen, who streaked away unopposed to add a second try for the Wallabies and leave the Lions requiring another unlikely comeback.
Jac Morgan was bundled over the line to slash the deficit with 15 minutes to play, but his effort was promptly cancelled out as Tate McDermott landed Australia’s third of the night after Ronan Kelleher was booked.
Will Stuart added further consolation for the tourists on last play, but it was ultimately a moral victory for the Wallabies, who were desperate to avoid a winless series after squandering a considerable lead in the second Test.
