Lions player ratings after Wallabies win third test
The Wallabies were up for it from the start and the heavy rain suited them perfectly, with the likes of Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou able to throw their weight around to huge effect. The game went a bit towards the messy side with rucks resembling a wrestling match at points.
It's the first Lions series win since 2013 and they can all now celebrate it. They'll quickly forget about today no doubt. Tadhg Furlong. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Andrew Porter 5
Tough one in the rain but Lions as a whole lost the physical battle.
Dan Sheehan 6
Lineouts went awry once Itoje and Ryan were off unfortunately. Andrew Porter. Pic: DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images
Tadhg Furlong 5
A historic ninth test start in-a-row but wasn't to be.
Maro Itoje (C) 5
Hard one for Itoje as he went off with HIA but was part of the pack that was losing physical battle.
James Ryan 6
He was probably the Lions' best chance of stopping Skelton but an unfortunate collision ended his game. Tom Curry Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Tadhg Beirne 7
Went until the very end. Undoubtedly one of the best players this series.
Tom Curry 7
Not far behind Beirne, Curry answered all critics this series, fair play to him. Maro Itoje getting tackled. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Jack Conan 7
Another solid display, with 6 tests starts now Conan has to be considered a Lions great.
Jamison Gibson-Park 7
Was a tough one in conditions but some crucial defensive plays kept Lions in it.
Finn Russell 5
Not the night for a player like Russell, but he's been great this tour. Jamison Gibson-Park. Pic: Steve Christo/Sportsfile
Blair Kinghorn 5
Rough night out there for wingers. Hard to do much when the ball is so tight to ruck.
Bundee Aki 5
Some poor handily but understandable in the miserable conditions. Bundee Aki on the attack Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland
Huw Jones 5
Shifting out onto the wing didn't help but held his own out there.
Tommy Freeman 4
Wasn't a game for wingers with the weather and was also unfortunate with HIA. Hugo Keenan. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Hugo Keenan 6
Did very well aerially, especially considering conditions. Some of his catches helped Lions stay in the game.
Substitutes 7
Jac Morgan and Ellis Genge were particularly impactful when they came on. Some big shifts from Ollie Chessum and Owen Farrell having to come on in the first half. Andy Farrell. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Andy Farrell 6
Tour was already won so doubt Farrell will be too upset about the result. 6/2 split bit the Lions and choosing to keep with Freeman who came into the game with an injury probably wasn't wise in hindsight, though his substitution was unrelated to his injury but a HIA.
He could still be in contention for the next tour but who knows for now. A deserving reward after all his great work with Ireland.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Lions CEO Ben Calveley hints Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead 2029 New Zealand Tour
Andy Farrell looks set to lead the British and Irish Lions again in 2029 after guiding them to a famous 2-1 series win in Australia FAZ-TASTIC Lions CEO Ben Calveley hints Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead 2029 New Zealand Tour IRELAND boss Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead Lions again for the 2029 Tour of New Zealand. That's according to Lions CEO Ben Calveley, who has all but confirmed that the Ireland boss is the man to take charge of the next expedition to New Zealand. Advertisement 2 British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley hinted Andy Farrell could once again lead the touring side in New Zealand 2 Andy Farrell guided the Lions to a 2-1 series win over Australia The news comes following a dramatic and successful summer Test series against Joe Schmidt's Australia. Farrell guided the Lions to a first series win since 2013, clinching the tour 2-1 despite defeat to the Wallabies in the final Test in Sydney. While Calveley stopped short of officially re-appointing Farrell, he made clear that the English-born Ireland boss is their preferred candidate for the prestigious role in four-year time. He said: 'Andy's done an incredible job and I've really enjoyed working with him. He's brought a laser focus to the group since December and the results speak for themselves. Advertisement 'We'll give him a bit of time off now - but there's no doubt he's in a very strong position for 2029. Let's put it that way.' The Lions chief went on to admit the interest in the touring side is higher than ever as he says their status is reaching new heights in the rugby world's popularity. He added: 'You've seen the players' quotes throughout - they remain absolutely committed to the Lions. 'Our calendar spot is secured, and our relationship with the pro game is stronger than ever.' Advertisement Meanwhile, Farrell issued an update on James Ryan after the Ireland lock was stretchered off during the final Test against Australia. The Ireland lock was stretchered off in the first half of the Lions' 22-12 third Test defeat to Australia after a sickening - accidental - knee to the head. Australia and Lions rugby stars are forced off the pitch mid-game due to threat of lightning The Leinster star collided with the knee of Will Skelton while attempting to make a tackle on 42 minutes. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Farrell confirmed some reassuring news for concerned rugby fans as he issued an update on the Leinster lock's condition. Advertisement The Ireland boss said: 'He's up and talking. He was [knocked] out there for a few minutes. "But he is back and in good spirits. He's going to be fine.'
RTÉ News
32 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Lando Norris cuts Oscar Piastri's lead with Hungarian GP success
Lando Norris held off a thrilling late charge from Oscar Piastri to win the Hungarian Grand Prix and reduce his world championship rival's lead to nine points. Norris was running in fourth place but benefited from stopping for tyres one fewer time than his rivals to land his fifth victory of the season. The British driver took the chequered flag just six tenths ahead of Piastri, who went within centimetres of colliding with Norris on the last-but-one lap when he locked up his front-right tyre at the opening corner. "Remember how we go racing, Oscar," came the warning from his race engineer, Tom Stallard. George Russell passed Charles Leclerc with eight laps to go to take the final spot on the podium. Pole-sitter Leclerc had to settle for fourth. Lewis Hamilton, who urged Ferrari to replace him after he qualified only 12th, finished in the same position, a lap down. Norris' win in the concluding round before the summer break - his third triumph from his last four appearances - reignites his bid to land a maiden world crown. But the Bristolian can count himself somewhat fortunate to be standing on the top step of the podium. Norris started third, and although he got away well from his marks, an attempt to pass Piastri on the inside of the opening corner backfired. Norris did not commit to the overtake and that left him in no-man's land, allowing Russell and then Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso to breeze through. On lap three, Norris fought his way clear of Alonso but was then tucked up behind Russell and making little progress. On Saturday, Hamilton described himself as "absolutely useless" after he was knocked out of Q2 with Leclerc, in the other scarlet car, having taken the Scuderia's first pole of the year. By the end of the first lap, Hamilton dropped behind Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli and was 14th. By eight laps, he was 20 seconds behind Leclerc, and at the end of lap 14, he trailed his team-mate by half a minute. Piastri was the first of the leaders to blink, stopping for hard tyres on lap 18. Ferrari, reacting to Piastri's stop, pulled in Leclerc on the next lap. On fresh tyres, Piastri had been quicker than the Ferrari, but Leclerc managed to stay ahead. Russell also stopped on lap 19 promoting Norris to the lead. Further back, and Max Verstappen, who had also taken on fresh tyres, was tucked up behind Hamilton, yet to stop, in a duel for 11th. Verstappen threw his Red Bull underneath Hamilton's Ferrari at Turn 4 on lap 29, with the seven-time world champion running off the road and losing the place to his old nemesis. The flashpoint will be investigated by the stewards after the race. Returning to the front, and McLaren were now considering a one-stop strategy for Norris. His race engineer, Will Joseph, was on the radio: "Lando, 40 laps on the hard tyre, you up for it?" Norris replied: "Yeah, why not?" On lap 31 of 70 he came in for his sole change of tyres before lighting up the timesheets with the fastest laps of the race so far. Norris then dropped two wheels through the gravel on the exit of the chicane, which irked Joseph. "Lando, just keep the focus, we don't want these mistakes," he said. Both Leclerc and Piastri were forced to stop again on laps 40 and 45, respectively. Norris now led Leclerc by seven seconds, with Piastri five seconds further back. But Piastri was on the move, swatting Leclerc aside on lap 51 and then setting about reducing Norris' nine-second advantage. With five laps to go, Piastri was just a second behind, and on the penultimate lap attempted a banzai move at the first corner but Norris remained ahead to land what could be a pivotal win in his championship charge. Alonso finished fifth, one place ahead of rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. Verstappen finished ninth, with Hamilton fighting his way past Pierre Gasly and then Sainz but finished outside of the points on a desperate weekend for the 40-year-old.
Irish Examiner
32 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Lando Norris holds off Oscar Piastri to win thrilling Hungarian Grand Prix
Lando Norris held off a thrilling late charge from Oscar Piastri to win the Hungarian Grand Prix and reduce his world championship rival's lead to nine points. Norris was running in fourth place but benefited from stopping for tyres one fewer time than his rivals to land his fifth victory of the season. The British driver took the chequered flag just six tenths ahead of Piastri, who went within centimetres of colliding with Norris on the last-but-one lap when he locked up his front-right tyre at the opening corner. 'Remember how we go racing, Oscar,' came the warning from his race engineer, Tom Stallard. George Russell passed Charles Leclerc with eight laps to go to take the final spot on the podium. Pole-sitter Leclerc had to settle for fourth. Lewis Hamilton, who urged Ferrari to replace him after he qualified only 12th, finished in the same position, a lap down. Norris' win in the concluding round before the summer break – his third triumph from his last four appearances – reignites his bid to land a maiden world crown. But the Bristolian can count himself somewhat fortunate to be standing on the top step of the podium. Norris started third, and although he got away well from his marks, an attempt to pass Piastri on the inside of the opening corner backfired. Norris did not commit to the overtake and that left him in no-man's land, allowing Russell and then Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso to breeze through. On lap three, Norris fought his way clear of Alonso but was then tucked up behind Russell and making little progress. On Saturday, Hamilton described himself as 'absolutely useless' after he was knocked out of Q2 with Leclerc, in the other scarlet car, having taken the Scuderia's first pole of the year. By the end of the first lap, Hamilton dropped behind Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli and was 14th. By eight laps, he was 20 seconds behind Leclerc, and at the end of lap 14, he trailed his team-mate by half a minute. Piastri was the first of the leaders to blink, stopping for hard tyres on lap 18. Ferrari, reacting to Piastri's stop, pulled in Leclerc on the next lap. On fresh tyres, Piastri had been quicker than the Ferrari, but Leclerc managed to stay ahead. Russell also stopped on lap 19 promoting Norris to the lead. Further back, and Max Verstappen, who had also taken on fresh tyres, was tucked up behind Hamilton, yet to stop, in a duel for 11th. Verstappen threw his Red Bull underneath Hamilton's Ferrari at Turn 4 on lap 29, with the seven-time world champion running off the road and losing the place to his old nemesis. The flashpoint will be investigated by the stewards after the race. Returning to the front, and McLaren were now considering a one-stop strategy for Norris. His race engineer, Will Joseph, was on the radio: 'Lando, 40 laps on the hard tyre, you up for it?' Norris replied: 'Yeah, why not?' On lap 31 of 70 he came in for his sole change of tyres before lighting up the timesheets with the fastest laps of the race so far. Norris then dropped two wheels through the gravel on the exit of the chicane, which irked Joseph. 'Lando, just keep the focus, we don't want these mistakes,' he said. Both Leclerc and Piastri were forced to stop again on laps 40 and 45, respectively. Norris now led Leclerc by seven seconds, with Piastri five seconds further back. But Piastri was on the move, swatting Leclerc aside on lap 51 and then setting about reducing Norris' nine-second advantage. With five laps to go, Piastri was just a second behind, and on the penultimate lap attempted a banzai move at the first corner but Norris remained ahead to land what could be a pivotal win in his championship charge. Alonso finished fifth, one place ahead of rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. Verstappen finished ninth, with Hamilton fighting his way past Pierre Gasly and then Sainz but finished outside of the points on a desperate weekend for the 40-year-old. 'I am dead, I am dead,' Norris said. 'We were not planning on the one stop, but it was our only chance after the first lap. I have pushed hard, and my voice has gone a little bit but it was the perfect result today. 'We are so close in the championship, it is hard to say if the momentum is on either side, but it is fun racing against Oscar, and I just about held on so I look forward to plenty more of these.' Piastri said: 'I pushed as hard as I could. After I saw Lando take on the one stop, I knew I would have to overtake on track and that is easier said than done.'
