Lions player ratings vs Australia: Second Test Has Incredible End
Rugby NewsSaturday, 26 July 2025 at 12:52
Lions player ratings vs Australia from the second test in Melbourne as the Wallabies came close but lost again.
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Melbourne, take a bow. The British & Irish Lions pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in tour history, snatching a breathtaking 30-26 win over the Wallabies in front of a record-shattering crowd of 90,000-plus at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
And it was Hugo Keenan – the ice-cold Irishman – who had the final say, diving over at the death to settle a Test match for the ages and clinch the series in dramatic fashion. But not before a nerve-shredding TMO check that had every Lions fan holding their breath.
From 23-5 down to victorious in the final moments – this was pure theatre. A rugby rollercoaster.
The Wallabies came out like a storm, tearing into the tourists with raw power and purpose. With talismanic duo Rob Valetini and Will Skelton leading the charge, Australia blitzed the first half with tries from James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright. Add Tom Lynagh’s early penalties to the mix, and the Lions were reeling.
Gordon and Wright struck when Tommy Freeman saw yellow – a costly sin bin that looked like it could define the match.
But the Lions didn’t roll over. Dan Sheehan clawed one back, before a thunderous response from Tom Curry and a moment of brilliance by Huw Jones saw them roar back before half-time. Six tries in a breathless opening 40. The underdogs led 23-17 at the break.
The second half was a tension-filled grind. Lynagh nudged the Wallabies further ahead with the boot, but Tadhg Beirne crashed over in the corner to bring the Lions within two.
Then, with the clock deep in the red, Keenan struck. The finish was cool. The crowd erupted. And after the TMO confirmed the grounding, history was made.
The Lions are series winners – and Melbourne witnessed a modern-day classic.
Scroll down for Lions player ratings vs Australia.
WALLABIES: 26
- Tries: Slipper (22'), Gordon (28'), Wright (30')
- Cons: Lynagh (29')
- Pens: Lynagh (4', 10', 53')
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: 29
- Tries: Sheehan (15'), T Curry (34'), H Jones (37'), Beirne (59'), Keenan (80')
- Cons: Russell (38', 60')
- Pens:
Lions player ratings vs Australia: Second test:
1. Andrew Porter-5
The Lion’s scrum was mighty, and more often than not, Porter was the first to show that to referee Andrea Piardi, he looked okay in attack but looked better defensively, but was caught short for Gordon’s darting try.
2. Dan Sheehan-7
Sheehan has impressed this tour. The young Irishman often looked far more experienced than his age, and his try was the epitome of this. A clever bend of the rules diving over the Wallabies’ defence from a really smart tap-and-go penalty.
3. Tadhg Furlong-5
Furlong was by far the oldest of the Lions front row and it really showed with Furlong never matching the pace and dynamics of his Australian counterparts. His scrum work held really strong and bailed out the Lions when they were under pressure.
4. Maro Itoje-5
Iotje looked far off his usual industrious self and spent more time speaking to the referee instead of disrupting the Wallabies’ attack. Defensively, he brought a great injection of power and helped the touring side get back into the fight in defence.
5. Ollie Chessum-5
Chessum was mainly a passenger and struggled heavily against Skelton and Frost in both physicality and tempo of the game. The Itoje and Chessum partnership just didn’t seem to click the way the Lions would’ve hoped.
6. Tadhg Beirne-3
Berine was still in the changing room for the opening half, looking nowhere near the tempo of the game in attack, misplacing passes and poor running lines. In defence, he was bullied around the field. Arguably should’ve been taken off instead of Curry but finished his try decently.
7. Tom Curry-8
Best player in a Lions jersey by a country mile. Finished his try with the style a winger would be jealous of and saved the Lions’ skin with a try-saving tackle, showing some immense work rate with his final contribution of the game. Other than those two key areas Curry was one of the only Lions’ forwards to hold their own physically
8. Jack Conan-6
Conan was slow into the game but when he got going he hugely helped his side, especially with his carries inside the Lions’ own half. His handling skills were neat and assisted Tom Curry really nicely.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park-5
JGP wasn’t firing on all cylinders and it really showed. His kicks were average at best and his distribution was wayward at times. Even when he’s not his best he still massively helps his side to get back into the game.
10. Finn Russell-6
Russell’s kicking game was a tail of two stories. His goal kicking wasn’t anywhere near as good as he’d expect but his kicking to the corner was utterly world-class. His distribution and ball playing was as tight as always and he orchestrated the Lions’ attack really well.
11. James Lowe-4
Lowe has looked off the tempo in both tests and today was another story of that. He never got going and was exposed hugely in defence. In attack he was nothing to fear for the Wallabies apart from his assist for Beirne.
12. Bundee Aki-6
Aki looked much better in the second half with him going back to his old traditional routes of play. He was used as a battering ram and he did it to a great level gaining some really vital yards for the Lions.
13. Huw Jones-7
Jones was excellent and he’d been arguably one of the best players of the tour before this. First half he was a mixed bag but in the second half he came alive and made a huge impact especially in attack.
14. Tommy Freeman-5
Freeman was never afforded the time and space to get going in attack and was punished for poor discipline with a yellow card in the first half. Freeman would’ve wanted to see more of the ball but he can’t complain defensively.
15.Hugo Keenan-7
The series-winning try came from a man who rarely put a foot wrong. In the backfield he was hounded with kicks which he dealt with aptly and he looked electric in attack to create a great overall performance.
Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher-5
17. Ellis Genge-6
18.Will Stuart-5
19.James Ryan-5
20.Jac Morgan-6
21. Alex Mitchell-N/A
22.Owen Farrell-5
23.Blair Kinghorn-6
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