A record crowd of 90,307 watched the Lions narrowly defeat the Wallabies at the MCG on Saturday. Photo: AFL
LIONS RUGBY WATCH
Former All Black Aidan Ross has been called into the Wallabies squad for the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney this Saturday.
He played one Test for New Zealand in 2022 and has played for the Waikato-based Chiefs, including this year’s Super Rugby Pacific grand final.
Ross was born in Gosford, NSW, and has joined the Queensland Reds, having played against the Lions on their tour twice already; for Qld and for an Anzac team.
Meanwhile, a heavily disputed 79th-minute referee’s call capped off a dramatic fightback from the Lions in their 29-26 win over the Wallabies in Melbourne on Saturday.
The result allows the Lions to clinch the three-Test series 2-0 after their win in Brisbane the weekend before.
A decision by the match referee not to penalise Lions forward Jac Morgan for his clean out on Carlo Tizzano in the build-up to the match-winning try incensed many.
(It also reportedly prompted Rugby Australia to see clarification from World Rugby.)
The Wallabies opened a 23-5 lead at one point in the first half but couldn’t sustain it and only led 23-17 at the break.
The disappearance of key forwards Alan Alaalatoa, Rob Valetini and Will Skelton at halftime or just after the break proved pivotal.
RUN OF SCORING PLAY
A record crowd of 90,307 fans saw the Wallabies take the lead with a penalty goal in the 6th minute. 3-0.
Six minutes later and the Wallabies were further ahead with another penalty goal. 6-0.
Lion Sheehan scored the first (unconverted) try from a quick tap-and-go off a penalty in the 15th minute. 6-5.
In the 25th minute, prop James Slipper scored an unconverted try from sustained pressure on the Lions tryline that saw a Lions player sinbinned. 11-5.
In the 30th minute, halfback Jake Gordon scored a converted try off a sniping run. 18-5.
From the restart, centre Joseph-Aukoso Suaali broke through to send winger Tom Wright away to score an unconverted try. 23-5.
Then in the 36th minute, Lions and England flanker Tom Curry scored in the corner. 23-10.
Two minutes later, Lion Huw Jones was in for a converted try. 23-17 at halftime.
In the 54th minute, the Lions were penalised and Tom Lynagh converted for their final points of the game. 26-17.
In the 61st minute, Tadhg Beirne scored a converted try for the visitors. 26-24.
In the 80th minute (fulltime), fullback Hugo Keenan scored in the corner to seal the result.
EX-ALL BLACK JOINS COACHING SQUAD
Another former All Black, Tom Donnelly will join the Wallabies coaching squad from the Western Force.
Donnelly played 15 Tests for New Zealand, nearly 100 games of Super Rugby and three seasons in France.
He is a former assistant coach for the Dunedin-based Highlanders and coach of NZ provincial side Otago. He joined the Force this season.
He will help the Wallabies prepare for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
WELSH WOMEN UPSET WALLAROOS
In a women’s Test at Ballymore (Brisbane) on Saturday, Wales defeated the Wallaroos 21-12.
The game was delayed for 30 minutes due to lightning strikes, which saw both teams leave the field after 12 minutes, according to Rugby Australia’s website www.rugby.com.au
Wales led 14-12 at halftime and quickly scored again before they successfully held the Australians out to claim the result.
The two sides will meet again in Sydney this weekend as they wrap up preparations for the upcoming Rugby Women’s Cup in England.
