The British & Irish Lions stormed back from an 18-point deficit to overhaul Australia 29-26 in front a record crowd in Melbourne on Saturday and seal the series with a test to spare in front of their ecstatic red-clad army of fans.
Hugo Keenan nosed the Lions ahead with a last-gasp try in front of 90,307 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to leave the Wallabies heartbroken. It was the only time in the game when the Lions were ahead. Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, Huw Jones and Tadgh Beirne also scored tries for the Lions, who claimed their first series win since beating Robbie Deans's Australia 2-1 in 2013.
While Andy Farrell's team celebrated, it was a tough night for the hosts, who had taken a 23-5 in the first half only to see the Lions secure their biggest-ever comeback in a Test game and now they have the chance to secure a series whitewash next week in Sydney.
Australia vs Lions latest news
- Start time: 11am BST
- How to watch: Sky Sports
- Lions team news
- Australia team news
- Standard Sport prediction
Thanks for following along to our coverage. Join us next week for the Third Test!
Maro Itoje to Sky Sports
13:26 , Alex Young“It feels a little surreal. The first 20 minutes we weren’t great, we managed to find away, it wasn’t perfect but we got there.
“Huge credit to the bench, the lads who came on made a massive difference. We started hitting in the second half, our scrum got on top and our decision makers started playing the game. It’s amazing, it’s great, my uncle texted me last week and said ‘this is not the harlem globetrotters, you just need to win’ and that was good advice.
“It’s not about me [when asked about his legacy as a Lions winning captain], it’s about those players and the fans who travelled so far.”
Hugo Keenan to Sky Sports
13:18 , Alex Young"You don’t really think of these things — with my try-scoring record, I was probably the least likely!
"I’m absolutely delighted. It came off the back of countless phases of hard work from the lads. It was a pretty cool moment — one I’ll definitely savour."
Andy Farrell to Sky Sports
13:13 , Alex Young“It’s amazing, the occasion and the fans travelling out. They deserve it don’t they? It wasn’t too great in the first half, with penalties and yellow cards but we found a way to get back into the game. We scored each time we got into the 22, and when we were able to build pressure we came away with something. We had solid belief at half time and it was there in the end.
“It’s fairytale stuff for us, it means absolutely everything. These lads have dreamed of this all their lives. Australia said they were going to show up and they certainly did that.
“We want to win every game, but we’ll enjoy tonight and travel to Sydney tomorrow.”
It is the biggest-ever comeback in a Lions game, claim Sky Sports.
They were trailing by 18 points at one stage.
Full-time!
12:53 , Alex Young81min: Russell sends the conversion through the posts and the celebrations start again!
LIONS TRYYYYYYYY!
12:51 , Alex Young80min: Keenan thinks he has clinched the series in the final minute but the TMO are having a look...
YES! THEY’VE WON THE SERIES!
Lions 24-26 Australia
12:46 , Alex Young76min: Agonising as the Lions push forward to find the score to secure the series, but Genge loses the ball.
Time is running out.
Lions 24-26 Australia
12:43 , Alex Young74min: 90,037 people in attendance at MCG.
Lions 24-26 Australia
12:41 , Alex Young71min: Australia survive, again, as Stuart is penalised about five metres out for an extra roll.
Lions 24-26 Australia
12:39 , Alex Young70min: A third scrum penalty conceded by Australia. A big 10 minutes to come.
Lions 24-26 Australia
12:34 , Alex Young65min: Changes to the front row as Kelleher and Stuart are on for Sheehan and Furlong.
Lions 24-26 Australia
12:33 , Alex Young63min: This could be huge. Lions are inches from another try but Tizzano earns a turnover to deny the tourists.
Lions 24-26 Australia
12:32 , Alex Young62min: Lions with the momentum again and the series is in sight.
Lions 24-26 Australia
12:31 , Alex Young61min: Farrell and Kinghorn are on.
TRY! Lions 24-26 Australia
12:29 , Alex Young60min: What a try!
Fantastic from Aki to burst through the Wallabies defence but this all all about Lowe to push through, hold off a tackle and then lay off to Beirne to dive over.
The gap is now two points.
Lions 17-26 Australia
12:24 , Alex Young55min: Australia look destined to score another try as McReight and then Suaalii flies through the Lions defence, only for Curry to throw himself in and drag down the debutant.
Stunning tackle. A try-saving tackle.
PENALTY! Lions 17-26 Australia
12:22 , Alex Young54min: Lynagh clears the posts after another Wallabies attack breaks down.
Lions 17-23 Australia
12:18 , Alex Young50min: Farrell is spotted scrathing his chin as Russell wastes a superb opportunity to gain terriority with a slack kick.
Lions 17-23 Australia
12:16 , Alex Young48min: Another big substitution from Australia as Skelton makes way for Williams.
First Valetini and now another big-hitter. The Lions must capitalise.
Lions 17-23 Australia
12:15 , Alex Young46min: Fantastic from Keenan! He races back, slaps the ball back into play near the try line and then boots it clear down the line.
Lions 17-23 Australia
12:11 , Alex Young42min: Decent start from the Lions, better than the first half.
Valetini was a half-time substitution for Australia, replaced by Gleeson.
Second half
12:07 , Alex Young41min: Back underway!
Lions are 40 minutes away from a series win, but that is a huge, huge order based on the first half.
Lions will have come into this game full of confidence. Now what?
Well, two quickfire tries before half-time will have helped, but they are surely now facing a true Wallabies outfit compared to the shadow of one last week.
Half-time!
11:52 , Alex Young41min: There’s the whistle. Exhausted.
TRY! Lions 17-23 Australia
11:51 , Alex Young38min: HUGE!
The energy has shifted massively in a few short minutes as Jones bounces through the Australia defence to dot down.
Russell converts and the gap is just five points.
Lions 10-23 Australia
11:50 , Alex Young38min: Maybe!
Lions win a penalty after Suaalii is penalised for entering a ruck from the side. Russell finds his kicking boots and sends a huge one downfield to earn a line-out seven metres out.
Lions 10-23 Australia
11:49 , Alex Young37min: Can the Lions build some momentum before the break?
TRY! Lions 10-23 Australia
11:47 , Alex Young35min: Lions aren’t out of it yet!
Curry dives over after a smart side-step inside. Oh boy, they needed that. But Russell misses the conversion, again.
TRY! Lions 5-23 Australia
11:44 , Alex Young31min: This is stunning rugby!
A superb breakaway try from the Wallabies, with Suaalii swanning through the Lions defence before popping off ot Wright to dot down.
TRY! Lions 5-18 Australia
11:43 , Alex Young29min: Australia are running riot as Gordon spots a gap and dives over.
Lyangh converts
Lions 5-13 Australia
11:38 , Alex Young26min: Woof! That is some kick from Wright, from the 50 into the 22.
The Lions are being swarmed and have no answer.
SIN BIN! Freeman sent to sin bin
11:35 , Alex Young25min: It gets worse for the Lions as Freeman is penalised for repeated infringements at the breakdown.
TRY! Lions 5-13 Australia
11:34 , Alex Young24min: A rare try from Slipper as Wallabies are rewarded for a brilliant response to the Lions try.
Lions 5-6 Australia
11:33 , Alex Young20: Injury for Australia as Potter is replaced on the wing by McDermott. A scrum-half on the wing, then.
Lions 5-6 Australia
11:29 , Alex Young19min: Australia respond with an attack down the right from Jorgensen, but is soon snuffed out.
TRY! Lions 5-6 Australia
11:25 , Alex Young17min: This one counts!
Phase after phase as the Lions probe the Wallabies defence until Sheehan dives over two tackles to dot down!
Russell's conversion hits the post.
NO TRY! Lions 0-6 Australia
11:24 , Alex Young15min: The Lions kick to the corner rather than go for the posts... and Conan bundles the ball over after fine work from Aki.
Big celebrations from the Lions but the Wallabies immediately complain, and replays prove Conan knocked on.
Lions 0-6 Australia
11:21 , Alex Young14min: Deary me, that was unnecessary from Skelton as he barges into Furlong after he knocked out. Cue some early handbags.
PENALTY! Lions 0-6 Australia
11:18 , Alex Young11min: Lynagh makes no mistake from a slightly bigger distance.
Wallabies firmly on top.
Lions 0-3 Australia
11:17 , Alex Young10min: Australia win another penalty at the breakdown, Curry the guilty party this time.
Lions 0-3 Australia
11:14 , Alex Young8min: Lynagh right in the mix early doors, this time with a few big clearances. Kicking game is on point for the hosts.
PENALTY! Lions 0-3 Australia
11:12 , Alex Young5min: Lynagh boots between the posts for the first points on the board after the Lions are caught offside.
Lions 0-0 Australia
11:11 , Alex Young3min: Australia have clearly started far better than last week. Valetini almost squeezes through a gap after a lineout, and then the Wallabies win a penalty.
Lions 0-0 Australia
11:10 , Alex Young2min: First penalty goes to Australia, with Itoje penalised for taking the ball off Skelton. Wallabies boot the ball down field.
Kick-off!
11:07 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
The rain has come. Kick-off in one minute.
Here come the players.
Time for an MCG lightshow ahead of kick-off.
Final team talk from the captain ahead of kick-off.
It’s worth noting that Australia were around 15 to 20 minutes late arriving at the MCG today, coming through the door about an hour before kick-off.
Not ideal.
Stage set for Russell
10:32 , Alex YoungMuch of the spotlight this week has fallen on Owen Farrell, allowing the Lions' real star to glide into the second Test relatively unnoticed. In Brisbane, Finn Russell was mesmerising at times during a first half when his passing repeatedly unlocked Australia's defence.
Aided by a dominant pack and the generalship of scrum-half Jamison Gibson Park, the 32-year-old is functioning at the peak of his powers and has another opportunity to prove that on current form, he is the game's standout fly-half.
Joe Schmidt to Sky Sports
10:20 , Alex Young"It's a massive crowd, huge venue, and a massive night, so the players are going to be very conscious of that.
"I feel massive pressure, but I'm pragmatic enough to know that I've worked hard during the week to help the players try to get themselves prepared, and now they will go out and represent their country really well. I'm hoping."
Comeback king
10:08 , Alex YoungOne of the most fascinating stories of the tour took another twist when Owen Farrell was named on the bench for the MCG clash. If he comes on, the former England captain will be making his first Test appearance in almost two years.
Even after two quietly encouraging performances on tour, including a full 80 minutes on Tuesday when he proved his fitness following a season of injury setbacks, the involvement of Andy Farrell's son as a late call-up divides opinion, but so far his presence has only benefitted the squad.
Down but not out
09:56 , Alex YoungFor all their difficulties, Joe Schmidt's men are not without hope for their shot at levelling the series. They scored more points in the second half at Suncorp Stadium where, unexpectedly, their bench made the greater impact.
Reinforcing their assault on the Lions are the return of powerful forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, whose very presence after missing the first Test because of calf injuries should prevent their pack being bullied again. Valetini's ball carrying at the blindside flanker is a particularly important weapon.
Do or die for Australia
09:45 , Alex YoungThe Wallabies are not just playing to keep the series alive, but also their credibility as a tour destination for the elite of British and Irish rugby.
These are difficult times for Australian rugby and even though their precarious finances have been shored up by the Lions' visit, problems abound on and off the field.
It is imperative that they take the series to a decider by rising to the occasion in Melbourne. If they lose again, calls for the Lions to instead turn their attention to the mouth-watering prospect of a tour to France will only grow louder.
Lions withstand late Australia pressure to win First Test
09:32 , Alex YoungThe British and Irish Lions lead the series against Australia thanks to a First Test win in Brisbane.
Ultimately it was a game of two halves as Andy Farrell’s side were the dominant force in the first-half, leading 17-5 at the break thanks in part to a brilliant performance from Finn Russell.
From the moment Dan Sheehan increased the lead right at the start of the second half, the First Test looked a forgone conclusion. However, a mixture of the Lions’ levels dropping and Australia growing in confidence resulted in a much closer game.
Billed as strong favourites to win the first Test at Suncorp Stadium, they surpassed expectations by taking the Wallabies apart in a first half that exposed the gulf in class between the rivals.
Flankers Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne were at the heart of their dominance up front with props Ellis Genge and Sheehan delivering strong supporting roles, while Russell cast a spell over the home defence.
Russell had serious firepower to unleash in the form of centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, the classy number 13 touching down with the omnipresent Curry and Sheehan also crossing.
For all the fireworks from the Lions, who had built an unassailable 24-5 lead just seconds after the interval, their play became far more ragged in the final half-hour with Australia's bench having greater impact.
Lions move in for the kill
09:23 , Alex YoungA flawless record of seven wins since arriving Down Under has placed the Lions on the brink of an achievement that has only been managed twice before in the professional era.
Successful Lions tours are the exception, not the rule, but they are overwhelming favourites to crush Australia for the second time.
The persistent rain forecast to fall throughout Saturday could be a leveller, but on the strength of a one-sided first Test, Andy Farrell's men should be comfortable winners.
Second Test prediction
09:15 , Alex YoungThe first Test, and indeed the series, looked like being a bit of a blowout for just over half of last week’s match in Brisbane.
The Lions were dominant physically and, led by some Russell inspiration, cut the Australian defence open almost at will.
But Australia fought back in the second half and can take that into this match, and the availability of Skelton and Valetini is a major boost to the Wallabies pack.
Farrell’s decision to drop Genge to the bench suggests he wants more of an impact off the bench but that comes at a risk, with Australia potentially able to get more of a foothold in the match from the start.
Both sides will believe they can be better than last week but the Lions should be confident of coming out on top, with a gulf in class evident in Brisbane.
With the motivation of a series win being on the line, the Lions can be expected to keep their feet on the gas this week and they should leave themselves on the verge of a 3-0 whitewash.
Lions to win by 12 points.
Australia line-up
09:04 , Alex YoungAustralia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Frost, Skelton, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Williams, Gleeson, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson
Australia team news
08:56 , Alex YoungAustralia are significantly boosted by the return to the starting lineup of lock Will Skelton and flanker Rob Valetini.
The pair both missed the first Test with calf injuries but have recovered and come straight back into the side in Melbourne.
Dave Porecki starts at hooker, while Langi Gleeson is fit again after injury and is named on the bench.
With Noah Lolesio missing the series due to injury, Tom Lynagh keeps his place at fly-half after making his first start last weekend.
Lions line-up
08:48 , Alex YoungBritish & Irish Lions: Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Chessum, Beirne, Curry, Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, Genge, Stuart, Ryan, Morgan, Mitchell, Farrell, Kinghorn
Lions team news
08:43 , Alex YoungGarry Ringrose has withdrawn from the Lions side after feeling the effects of a concussion in training.
Sione Tuipulotu has a tight hamstring, as Bundee Aki comes in at centre to partner Huw Jones as one of nine Irishmen in the starting XV.
There is no change at full-back or on the wings, with Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman and James Lowe keeping their places, and Finn Russell is again at fly-half.
Farrell has made a big call at loosehead, preferring Andrew Porter to Ellis Genge from the start, and Ollie Chessum comes in to replace in the injured Joe McCarthy at lock.
Owen Farrell impressed in the midweek fixture and makes the bench to cover fly-half and centre, with Blair Kinghorn and Jac Morgan also among the replacements.
How to watch Second Test today
08:35 , Alex YoungTV channel: Live coverage of the Second Test is available via Sky Sports, who have exclusive broadcasting rights to the Lions tour in the UK this summer.
Their broadcast starts at 9:30am BST on Saturday morning on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Live stream: Fans with a Sky Sports subscription can also watch the Second Test live online via the Sky Go app, while it’s available to stream via NOW.
Welcome
08:29 , Alex YoungGood morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Second Test between the British and Irish Lions and Australia.
Kick-off is at 11am UK time, so stick with us.
