The Wallabies’ heartbreaking 29-26 defeat in Melbourne will go down as one of the great games in modern Test rugby.
It had everything: breathtaking tries, spice, physicality, the greatest comeback in Lions history and, of course, drama from start to finish.
But it was also another disappointing missed opportunity for the Wallabies, who, as Joe Schmidt put it in the post-match, “led for 79 minutes” but couldn’t close out what would have been the nation’s most famous win since upsetting the All Blacks in the 2003 World Cup semi-final. Instead, it finished as arguably the Wallabies’ great choke, having led by 18 points deep in the first half on home soil.
Two moments let the Lions off the hook – and went a long way to allowing Andy Farrell’s side back into the Test.
The first came in the 33rd minute, moments after Tom Wright helped send the Wallabies up 23-5, as Tom Lynagh spilled a Jamison Gibson-Park box kick just outside his own 22 metre line when defending at fullback.
Sensing the importance of the moment, Morgan Turinui said the Wallabies needed to ensure they carried the momentum on and didn’t open the door for the Lions.
“It’s important now in these last seven minutes until half-time that the Wallabies maintain momentum and stay disciplined,” he said on Stan Sport.
“They’ve got the referee on their side. For Wallabies fans, with this performance, it’s like seeing an old friend back again. They must maintain this level of energy and an attitude and discipline it’s been paired with.”
Seconds later, the Lions hit back as Tom Curry scored out wide.
Three minutes later, off the back of an incredible touch-finder from Finn Russell, the Lions had a second try and the Wallabies’ 18-point lead after 30 minutes had been whittled down to just six by half-time.
The second defining moment in the Test occurred in the 55th minute.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii reacts during the Wallabies’ devastating second Test loss to the British and Irish Lions at the MCG on July 26, 2025. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
With the Wallabies extending their lead out to nine following Tom Lynagh’s third penalty of the evening, the home side got a slice of luck as twice they came away with the crumbs off the deck.
With Langi Gleeson on the charge, the replacement back-rower linked up with his loose-forward teammate Fraser McReight who was out in space near the opposition 22 against a splintered defensive line.
After McReight cut back on the inside, the No.7 hit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who drew in the last man (Huw Jones), but was blindsided from behind after taking an extra step and couldn’t hit acting winger Tate McDermott out wide, who was in aches of space and had a clear run to the line.
Suaalii’s reaction, with the Wallabies up 26-17 in the 55th minute, said it all as he cursed himself immediately and then stood up with his hands on his head.
“The Lions make an incredible stop,” said Stan Sport’s lead commentator Sean Maloney. “They scrambled brilliantly. Oh, that’s a huge play.”
Co-commentator and Wallabies great Tim Horan added: “He could have gone to the left, but he didn’t see the defender coming across. This is a huge stop by the Lions. Who else but Tom Curry – a try-saving tackle by the No.7 from the Lions.”
It was Curry’s last play of the evening.
It also proved to be the match-turning moment as the Lions quickly got the ascendancy after being awarded a scrum penalty from the next play. Three minutes later, the Lions were over as James Lowe sent Tadhg Beirne in to score after holding off Len Ikitau and producing an incredible out-the-back flick-pass.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Will Skelton summed up the missed chance to level the series, saying: “That’s on us. We had moments in that game where we could have clinched it, but you have to give credit to them – they came away with the chocolates.”