Two years out from the World Cup on Australian shores and the Wallabies have reminded the globe that they can’t be underestimated.
Despite losing the Lions Series Trophy 2-1, Joe Schmidt’s side finished the campaign on a high as they smacked Andy Farrell’s side 22-12 on a wet and wild night in Sydney.
Inspired by Will Skelton, the Wallabies rolled up their sleeves and showed plenty of character following last week’s devastation to deny the Lions a clean sweep.
The Wallabies led 15-0 after tries to wingers Dylan Pietsch and Max Jorgensen, before the Lions threatened to make a late fightback. But their hopes ended when Tate McDermott snuck over to ensure the Wallabies took some momentum into The Rugby Championship, which gets underway in South Africa in a fortnight.
Will Skelton was sensational during the Wallabies’ win over the Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The Wallabies’ forward pack was sensational.
Skelton brought the physicality and didn’t take a backward step all night, but he wasn’t alone.
His second-row partner Nick Frost dominated the lineout, Taniela Tupou rolled back the years and brilliantly filled the void of Allan Alaalatoa while Tom Hooper was awarded player of the match after being a pest at the breakdown.
The match was the perfect result for Nic White, who announced on Thursday he would retire after the series. Whether that occurs remains to be seen, with fellow halfback Jake Gordon sustaining a hamstring injury on Thursday that has him in major doubt for the first leg of the TRC.
The Wallabies’ back three were also exceptional, while the men in gold managed to secure the 10-point win despite having to play without their playmaker Tom Lynagh for 45 minutes.
The 22-year-old copped a blow to the head by Dan Sheehan at a ruck. Although doctors forced him to undertake a Head Injury Assessment, which he failed, officials turned a blind eye to the incident.
Ultimately, it didn’t matter as the Wallabies took their chances.
Farrell’s side, meanwhile, struggled all evening against the pressure and ferocity of the Wallabies.
The defeat ensured the visitors’ hopes of laying claims to being the “greatest Lions side” washed away on the wet night.
Tate McDermott celebrates after scoring during the Wallabies’ 22-12 win over the British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Lions weren’t helped by the loss of their captain Maro Itoje, who also failed a HIA midway through the first half.
More pain was to come as Itoje’s second-row partner James Ryan was also forced off shortly after half-time after he collected Skelton’s knee.
The loss of the second-row duo allowed the Wallabies to target the Lions at the set-piece – and it proved a telling blow.
The Wallabies might have been picked off at the opening lineout, but they dominated much of the first half – and it was reflected on the scoreboard.
Dylan Pietsch scored the opener for the Wallabies as the recalled winger managed to reel in a tough ball from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to score out wide.
The Lions threatened to respond immediately after Lynagh spilt Jamison Gibson-Park’s box kick and Finn Russell immediately pinned the corner and forced Tom Wright to mop it up and take the ball into touch on his five-metre line.
But after another penalty, the Lions bombed a try as Blair Kinghorn took the ball into contact rather than passing to his unmarked teammate Hugo Keenan and was pinged for not releasing.
Tempers flared midway through the first half when Skelton pushed Sheehan after the Lions won a penalty. It was the second time the giant lock had used an open palm to push away a Lion – and this time the Wallabies were marched ten metres for instigating the skirmish.
But Finn Russell spilt the ball moments later after looking up.
Enter Taniela Tupou, who continued to get the better of Andrew Porter and helped the Wallabies win another penalty.
While the Wallabies turned down a shot soon after, Lynagh banged over one in the 33rd minute to give the home side an 8-0 lead. It was his last involvement as the 22-year-old was replaced after copping the heavy hit from Sheehan at the clean out.
After giving up a massive first-half lead in Melbourne one week earlier, there was no repeat in Sydney as Tom Hooper came to the rescue to deny the men in red in the 37th minute as he got over the ball to win a penalty. It was a huge play from an outstanding player, who was brutally left out of the second Test despite being one of the nation’s in-form forwards.
More drama was to come in the second half as James Ryan was knocked out cold after copping Skelton’s knee in the process of trying to bring down the Wallaby. A split second later another fight was underway with White and Owen Farrell in the centre of it, before play was stopped for 40 minutes after a lightning strike.
When play resumed, it was the Wallabies who came out firing.
Taniela Tupou burst through the line, but unfortunately spilled it as he charged towards the Lions’ line.
Two quick penalties helped the Lions, but Nick Frost proved a thorn in the visitors’ backside as he stole two lineouts soon after.
The pressure quickly showed as the Lions’ attack broke down again and Max Jorgensen, the in-form Wallabies winger, raced 50 metres to score and help open up a 15-0 lead after 55 minutes.
The Lions eventually got on the scoreboard though Welshman Jac Morgan, who burrowed over to give the visitors some hope.
But another dreadful kick out on the full soon after allowed the Wallabies to get back inside the Lions’ attacking zone.
