10 most Iconic moments from British & Irish Lions Test matches vs Australia
Rugby NewsThursday, 17 July 2025 at 14:02
The wait is almost over. The British & Irish Lions begin their three-match Test series against Australia this Saturday, with the squads primed and ready for a colossal clash in Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. The stage is set for an unforgettable first Test upon the Sunshine Coast, with the Lions and Wallabies both out to secure the opening win and establish their own stronghold upon the series.
The British & Irish Lions' history with the 'land down under' dates all the way back to the inaugural voyage in 1888. Whilst the first ever Lions did not run out for a Test match against the Wallabies, the men in red did tour across the country and played 16 matches against an array of club sides and university XVs. The first ever Test would come upon the 1899 tour, in what sparked the start of a 126 year rivalry between the Lions and Australia.
There have been plenty of incredible moments throughout the Lions' nine previous ventures to Australia, albeit only the tours since 1959 have been broadcast on television to a world-wide audience. The shared history between the two sides spans every era of rugby union as we know it, from the pioneers of the late nineteenth century, through the rise of the global game as an amateur sport and into the turn of professionalism in 1995.
The legacy has continued throughout the past three decades of the sport's professional era, with Andy Farrell's current crop of tourists set to write the next chapter in this storied rivalry this Saturday. Here are the 10 most iconic moments, from the history of the British & Irish Lions against Australia.
1. The Start of the Saga: First Ever British & Irish Lions vs Australia Test – 1899
June 24, 1899, Sydney Cricket Ground
On June 24, 1899, the British Isles team, the early incarnation of today’s British & Irish Lions, played their first-ever Test match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The tourists secured a 13–3 victory, setting the stage for a historic rivalry that has spanned more than a century.
This match was significant not only as the inaugural Test between the two sides but also as a symbol of the growing international reach of rugby union. Despite this opening defeat, Australia went on to win the series 3–1, a remarkable achievement for the young rugby nation. The 1899 series laid the foundation for one of rugby’s most storied contests, shaping the fiercely competitive and respected relationship between the Lions and the Wallabies.
2. Peter Jackson Runs Riot: 1959 Lions v Australia Test Series
Throughout the Lions' 1959 tour of Australasia
Image: Peter Jackson - Back Row, 6th from Left
Peter Jackson was one of the most entertaining performers on the 1959 British Lions tour of Australasia. Ronnie Dawson’s tourists were hailed as one of the most impressive touring sides ever to visit New Zealand and Australia, with Jackson playing a key role. Nicknamed “Nijinsky” after the famous Russian ballet dancer, Jackson’s quick feet and perfectly balanced running style thrilled fans, as the public loved the Lions’ free-flowing, attacking rugby.
His trademark swerves allowed him to exploit the smallest gaps in opposition defenses. The Coventry winger scored 19 tries in 18 matches for the Lions, including a hat-trick on his debut against Australia and upon two occasions he scored four tries in a game. He was so entertaining was his style, that some reporters joked that Jackson should appear on a unicycle on the sidelines to keep the crowd amused when he was not playing.
3. 'The Battle of Ballymore' - the infamous second Test of the 1989 Lions Tour
July 8 1989, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
On 8 July 1989, the British Lions and Australia collided at Ballymore Stadium in what would become rugby’s iconic Battle of Ballymore. The scene was chaotic: audiences gathered with barbecues and beers along a creek bank, so packed that the Lions’ bus couldn’t enter the stadium and players walked through a gauntlet of fans to reach the dressing room.
From first scrum, tempers flared: Welsh scrum-half Robert Jones stood on Nick Farr-Jones’s foot, sparking an explosive brawl that saw fists and furious shoving across the pack Lions prop Dai Young later received a reprimand behind closed doors for kicking Wallaby Steve Cutler. This sparked one of the bigger brawls of a truly brutal match.
The Lions’ revamped forward pack, bolstered by Mike Teague, Wade Dooley, and Paul Ackford, crushed Australia in collisions and rucks, systematically breaking Wallaby spirit. As the match wore on, graze marks and bloodied jerseys became badges of honour as the physicality intensified .
The Lions emerged with a gritty 19–12 win, fueled by indomitable forward power and tactical precision. The ferocity in Brisbane was the crucible that fired their comeback, laying the foundation for the series-deciding Third Test in Sydney
4. David Campese’s fatal mistake: A historic victory handed to the Lions
July 15, 1989, Sydney Football Stadium
The 1989 Lions tour produced one of the most iconic comebacks in Test rugby history. After a bruising 30–12 loss in the First Test, the Lions roared back with a ferocious performance in the infamous Battle of Ballymore, filled with thunderous hits, bloodied forwards, and near brawls that showed the Lions would not back down. That gritty win set the stage for a thrilling decider in Sydney.
In the decisive Third Test, the defining moment came when David Campese, one of rugby’s most gifted yet unpredictable talents, attempted a pass from his own try-line. It went horribly wrong, intercepted by Ieuan Evans and lead to a crucial Lions try to win the series.
The Lions held on for a famous 19–18 victory, becoming the first team to win a series in Australia after losing the opening Test. Guided by Sir Ian McGeechan’s tactical acumen and fueled by sheer resilience, the 1989 Lions etched their place in history, having beaten Australia on their own turf and turning Campese’s audacious error into a moment of red-shirted glory.
5. "Waltzing O'Driscoll" - Break-out BOD scores Lions wonder try
June 30, 2001, The Gabba, Brisbane
On 30 June 2001, at Brisbane’s Gabba, the British & Irish Lions stunned Australia with a commanding 29–13 victory, a night remembered for Brian O’Driscoll’s iconic solo try. Just 22 years old, O’Driscoll had already shown plenty of promise within the Ireland set-up to earn his Lions place, but this moment catapulted him into global rugby stardom.
Midway through the second half, O’Driscoll received a pass from Jonny Wilkinson just inside the Wallaby half. With effortless grace, he weaved past Nathan Grey and Jeremy Paul, before throwing a sublime feint to leave fullback Matt Burke clutching air. He then raced in untouched to score under the posts, one of the greatest individual tries in Lions history.
The Gabba, packed with over 20,000 roaring Lions fans, erupted. Fans later recalled the moment as pure sporting magic, describing it as “Waltzing O’Driscoll.” That try didn’t just seal the win, it announced the arrival of a generational talent. For a player barely out of university, it was a defining moment in a career that would go on to span four Lions tours and rugby immortality.
6. Joe Roff's Game-Changing Interception: Second Test, 2001 Lions Tour
July 7, 2001, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
The 2001 Lions tour witnessed a hot start from the tourists in the second Test, as the Lions built an 11-6 lead out in Melbourne. However, the actions of Australian winger Joe Roff flipped the game on its head, as he raced away to score two electric intercept tries early in the second half. The first score came just after the restart, as Roff seized upon Jonny Wilkinson's pass and surged away to the corner to equalise the score-line. Moments later, he struck again, shrugging off a Lions defender and weaving past Jason Robinson to put Australia firmly in control.
His second try ignited a roaring home crowd, drenching the stadium in gold scarves handed out by organisers determined to drown out the 'sea of red'. The mood shifted palpably: what had been a tense, Lions-dominated contest became a full-blown Wallabies assault. Australia went on to claim a 35–14 victory, with Roff's efforts swinging momentum entirely in their favour. This then set the stage perfectly for a dramatic series finale in Sydney...
7. History made down under - Australia win their first Test series against the Lions
July 14, 2001, Stadium Australia, Sydney
The 2001 British & Irish Lions tour is fondly remembered by Wallabies fans, as the occasion marked the first time that Australia had won a three-match series against the formidable tourists from the Northern Hemisphere. Prior to this, Australia had only sent the Lions packing off their island back in 1930, following an Aussie victory in a stand-alone Test match in Sydney.
The 2001 series win was a jubilant cause for celebration, as Australia sealed the series 2-1 with an immortalised 29-23 win, also in Sydney. Matt Burke opened the scoring with two early penalties, but Jonny Wilkinson—playing despite injury concerns, kept the Lions in touch. Jason Robinson scored the first try, converted by Wilkinson, to give the Lions a brief 10–9 lead. Daniel Herbert responded with a converted try, and Burke’s boot pushed Australia ahead 16–10.
Wilkinson added a penalty before scoring and converting his own try early in the second half to reclaim the lead, 20–16. Herbert’s second try and more accurate kicking from Burke edged Australia back ahead. With the scores locked at 23–23, Burke added two late penalties to secure a 29–23 win.
8. Kurtley Beale's heartbreaking Last-Minute Miss - 2013 First Test
June 22, 2013, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
On June 22, 2013, at Brisbane’s bustling Suncorp Stadium, the opening Test of the Lions’ tour was a bruising, high-octane contest that came down to one of the most dramatic finishes in Lions history. With the Lions clinging to a 23–21 lead in the final seconds, Australia were awarded a long-range penalty.
Kurtley Beale, brought back into the Wallaby squad after off-field controversies that saw him suspended by his Melbourne Rebels club, had already missed one kick and now had a chance to win the match. The stadium held its breath, but as he planted his foot, Beale slipped, scuffing the kick wide of the posts. The Lions had survived.
Earlier, the match had produced moments of individual brilliance. Israel Folau, making his Test debut, scored two superb tries for the Wallabies. But the highlight belonged to George North, whose sensational solo effort saw him slice through half the Australian backline to score a try for the ages.
The Lions also lost captain Sam Warburton to injury, further raising the tension. Despite injuries and late nerves, the tourists held firm. Beale’s late misstep handed the Lions a priceless win and a crucial 1–0 lead in the series.
9. George North sends Israel Folau packing - 2013 Lions Tour 2nd Test
June 29 2013, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne,
The Second Test of the 2013 Lions tour was a classic filled with tension, brilliance, and heartbreak. Early in the match, George North delivered one of the most iconic moments in Lions history: while being tackled by Israel Folau, North lifted the Wallaby fullback onto his shoulders and carried him backwards, walking several metres before slamming him down. The astonishing feat of strength went viral, becoming symbolic of the tour.
Despite North’s heroics and a gritty Lions performance, Australia refused to fold. Trailing 15–9 with five minutes to go, the Wallabies unleashed a relentless assault. Adam Ashley-Cooper burst through the defence in the 75th minute to score a crucial try. The pressure fell to Christian Leali’ifano, who held his nerve to nail the conversion and secure a dramatic 16–15 victory.
It was one of the most evenly fought Tests in Lions history, decided only by inches and nerves. The Wallabies’ late comeback levelled the series at 1–1 and set the stage for a titanic, winner-takes-all showdown in the Third Test in Sydney.
10. Greatest Lions triumph of the professional era - 2013 Third Test vs Australia
July 6, 2013, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Tthe British & Irish Lions delivered one of their most dominant performances in their professional history, crushing Australia 41–16 in the deciding Third Test. In front of a passionate crowd of touring fans awash in red, the Lions combined ruthless aggression with clinical precision to secure their first Test series win in 16 years - their previous series victory having come against South Africa in 1997.
The scoring began early and continued often for a brilliantly brutal Lions side. Late call-up Alex Corbisiero powered over for a try, and set the tone for the finale of the tour. Jonny Sexton, the series’ standout fly-half, controlled the game with tactical kicking and added his own try.
George North dazzled again with his trademark pace and power, while his fellow Welshman Jamie Roberts bulldozed through defenders to cross the line. The Lions’ relentless forward dominance and slick backline moves overwhelmed the Wallabies. This emphatic victory not only sealed the series 2–1 but also marked the Lions’ biggest winning margin in a Test match. It was a triumph that resonated beyond the scoreboard, a testament to skill, resilience, and unity that defined the 2013 Lions tour.
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