MATCH ANALYSIS

Finn Russell joins exclusive British & Irish Lions club in series win

Blair Kinghorn and Finn Russell celebrate as the British and Irish Lions seal series victory over Australia <i>(Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)</i>
Blair Kinghorn and Finn Russell celebrate as the British and Irish Lions seal series victory over Australia (Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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A last-minute try from Hugo Keenan sealed a first British and Irish Lions series victory in 12 years, as the tourists edged a thrilling contest with Australia 29-26 in front of more than 90,000 fans in Melbourne.  

Keenan’s try with 30 seconds left ensured Andy Farrell’s team recovered from 23-5 down - a record deficit in a Lions test match - against an inspired Wallabies side.  

The victory also means Finn Russell becomes just the second Scot in the past 100 years to steer the [[Lions]] to a series win in the number 10 jersey, following in the footsteps of Gregor Townsend in South Africa 28 years ago.  

Here are five talking points from one of the great Lions test matches.

Giant forward duo help Australia set tone 

The Wallabies lacked punch on the ball in Brisbane a week ago, but there was no hint of that here with 145kg lock Will Skelton and powerhouse back-row Rob Valetini back to add ballast to their pack.  

From the off, La Rochelle lock Skelton took a short lineout and got the hosts on the front foot, before Valetini got his hands on the ball.  

Will Skelton was outstanding for AustraliaWill Skelton was outstanding for Australia (Image: David Davies/PA Wire) The Lions shipped penalties when they were put under pressure, allowing Tom Lynagh to knock over a pair of penalties as Australia took a 6-0 lead, before the tourists responded with Dan Sheehan’s try – the hooker appeared to jump over the tackle in the act of scoring, but the play was judged legal by referee Andrea Piardi.  

Valetini only lasted 40 minutes on his return after seven weeks out, while Skelton managed just seven minutes further before he made way.

Unfortunately for the hosts, their replacements could not provide the same level of impact as the Lions got back into the game.  

Yellow card hands Australia advantage 

Skelton and Valetini were prominent when the Wallabies got back into the game – their carrying put the home side on the front foot and veteran prop James Slipper, the sole survivor from the 2013 series in the home ranks, squeezed over.  

Tommy Freeman was judged to be offside in the build-up and was sent to the sin-bin, the visitors having been warned by referee Andrea Piardi.  

Tommy Freeman watches on from the sin-binTommy Freeman watches on from the sin-bin (Image: David Davies/PA Wire) Then came a stunning spell from the Wallabies as scrum-half Jake Gordon sniped to score, then fullback Tom Wright got on the end of an outstanding break from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to give the home side a 23-5 advantage.  

Huw Jones gets his moment and Kinghorn makes impact

After Sione Tuipulotu took centre stage last week, ending a 28-year wait for a Scottish try scorer in a [[Lions]] test, his mate Jones got his moment in the sun in Melbourne to drag the [[Lions]] off the canvas just before half-time.  

His try came just after Tom Curry had gone over following an excellent carry by Freeman 

His try came after a wonderful penalty to touch from Finn Russell that put the tourists within five metres, before Jones – who almost put Jack Conan over earlier in the move – showed great strength to power over from close range.  

Huw Jones showed great strength to score his tryHuw Jones showed great strength to score his try (Image: David Davies/PA Wire) So much was made of Garry Ringrose’s decision to withdraw from the team after suffering concussion symptoms having been handed the 13 jersey, but Jones stepped up again when the Lions needed a big moment just before the break.  

Had a couple of good moments after the break too before making way on the hour for Owen Farrell.  

Blair Kinghorn made a big impact when he took over from James Lowe on the left wing. He looked dangerous on the ball and combined well with Russell and Owen Farrell and must be pushing for a starting place in Sydney next weekend.

Lions big-game players drag them back

The performances of several Lions players will have posed more questions than answers for Andy Farrell ahead of the decider in Sydney next weekend.  

The wing spots of James Lowe and Tommy Freeman must be under serious threat, while the midfield did not look right without Sione Tuipulotu either side of Russell and Jones.  

But the wing pair helped drag the Lions back into the game just before the hour. Bundee Aki made the iniital dent in the defence, before Freeman went direct, then Lowe’s offload put Tadhg Beirne over in the corner. Russell’s conversion made it a two-point game into the final quarter.  

The Lions, though, were left to rue missed chances inside the Australia 22 thereafter. Will Stuart was penalised for not releasing, while the Wallabies won an excellent jackal penalty through Carlo Tizzano to relieve pressure with the tourists battering the door down.  

But they could not hold on, and after more than a dozen phases in the Wallaby 22, Keenan found a way through to seal one of the most dramatic wins in Lions history and with it, clinch the series.

Finn Russell writes his name in history books 

Only four Scots have worn the famous Lions number 10 jersey in a test match over the past 100 years. Not since Gregor Townsend guided the team to victory over South Africa in 1997 has a Scotsman played such a central role in a Lions series.  

Russell was instrumental on the biggest stage of his illustrious career. A quickly-taken restart put Australia on the back foot after such an excellent start, while an outrageous penalty to touch should have led to more.  

Finn Russell celebrates with Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki at full-timeFinn Russell celebrates with Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki at full-time (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

Russell, who will have been disappointed with his kicking from the tee, showed great control towards the end, alongside half-back partner Gibson-Park, to drag the Lions over the line.  

Now there is a chance to go one better than Townsend and the class of 1997 and record a series whitewash in Sydney.  

Australia: Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter (McDermott 20), Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper (Bell 40), David Porecki (Pollard 56), Allan Alaalatoa (Robertson 40), Nick Frost, Will Skelton (Williams 47), Rob Valetini (Gleeson 40), Fraser McReight (Tizzano 61), Harry Wilson (captain) 

Tries: Slipper (23), Gordon (28), Wright (30) 

Conversions: Lynagh (29) 

Penalties: Lynagh (4, 10, 53) 

British and Irish Lions: Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones (Farrell 60), Bundee Aki, James Lowe (Kinghorn 60), [[Finn Russell]], Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter (Genge 55), Dan Sheehan (Kelleher 64), Tahdg Furlong (Stuart 64), Maro Itoje (captain), Ollie Chessum (Ryan 55), Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry (Morgan 55), Jack Conan 

Tries: Sheehan (16), Curry (34), Jones (37), Beirne (59), Keenan (80) 

Conversions: Russell (38, 60) 

Yellow card: Freeman (23) 

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR) 

Attendance: 90,037 

Player of the Match: Maro Itoje 

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