'Just absurd': Wallabies fans fume over missed Tom Lynagh act as TMO drama baffles
Tom Hooper was player-of-the-match having filled in for Rob Valentini with aplomb as the Aussies were more physical than the Lions in the pouring rain. And the Aussies managed the consolation victory without flyhalf Lynagh who didn't come back on the field in the second-half after failing a HIA.
Lynagh suffered a head knock during a clean out and went off the field and didn't return. Although replays showed Dan Sheehan charged into the ruck and collected Lynagh high.
Lynagh was bracing for the impact, but it was still deemed dangerous play by many viewing. The incident comes after the Wallabies fans felt aggrieved they were not granted a penalty in the final seconds of last week's game at the MCG over a controversial ruck moment.
But Sheehan's effort was more overt than last week and most fans agreed it was clear foul play. The Wallabies lost Lynagh for the game, with Ben Donaldson coming on, while the Lions escaped any sanction.
What made the missed Lynagh moment even more frustrating was the TMO raised two other incidents against the Wallabies that were not nearly as dangerous. Nic White, playing his final game in the Wallabies jersey, rushed through the defensive line of the Lions at one stage and caused a handling error.
Although the game came to a halt as the TMO reviewed what appeared to be minimal contact from White. Nothing came of the incident. Then one of the Wallabies' best, Joseph Suaalii, was at the centre of attention.
With only a couple of minutes left, Suaalii made a last-ditch tackle to stop the Lions from going over for a consolation try. Although the TMO reviewed it and deemed it slightly high, but the on-field referee did not believe it was worthy of a card. But the TMO took its time reviewing the situation. And fans were left frustrated with world rugby and the TMO with the officials so willing to check every incident in the game, except the missed Lynagh high tackle.
Two of the most ridiculous TMO reviews in the history of rugby tonight - the White 'shoulder charge' and the Sua'ali'i 'shoulder charge' were both the biggest wastes of time.All after not reviewing the Lynagh hit.Just absurd.#AUSvLIO #LionsTour2025
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) August 2, 2025
Off! (Shoulda been.) https://t.co/8f19vACovk
— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) August 2, 2025
So, just to be clear:This TMO will stop the game to check literally EVERYTHING except Dan Sheehan's hit that took Lynagh out. What are we doing here.
— Jack Quigley (@Jack_Quigley) August 2, 2025
That has to be one of the worst TMO interventions in the history of the game #LionsTour2025
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) August 2, 2025
Disgrace. Red card every day of the week. So dangerous. You can see Lynagh brace as he knows it's coming. Will World Rugby stand behind their refs again this week? In a situation like this (no matter who is playing) would have no qualms if refs hooked offending player at HT. https://t.co/ApXbOo8qIW
— Tom Decent (@tomdecent) August 2, 2025
Wallabies win after game halted for lightning
The Wallabies managed to stop the Lions from becoming the first team to win a 3-0 series in Australia since 1904. Although while the celebrations were dampened, the Lions had already secured the trophy with a controversial 29-26 win in Melbourne last Saturday having won the Brisbane opener 27-19.
But there is plenty of excitement around this Wallabies team with coach Joe Schmidt managing to get up without the likes of Alan Alaalatoa, Valetini and Jake Gordon in the XV. Losing early didn't help and the weather was havoc.
The game was stopped for 40 minutes in the second-half when lightning came within 10km of Accor Stadium. But the players returned to the soaking pitch with the Wallabies coming out stronger from the break. And captain Harry Wilson was thrilled with his team's bounce back after such a devastating setback last week.
"So proud," Wilson said after the game. "Obviously it was a disappointing week this week after such a tough loss. To bounce back the way we did, to play an 80-minute performance, I'm so proud of everyone.
We just wanted this game so badly. Whatever we had to do, we had to do. "To get the win was special."
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