"Seal the Series" - British & Irish Lions Record in 2nd Tests in the Professional Era (1995 - 2021)
Rugby NewsThursday, 24 July 2025 at 16:09
The British & Irish Lions are 1-0 up in the series 2025 against Australia, with a strong response required from the Wallabies this Saturday in Melbourne. Andy Farrell's side were impressive upon their 27-19 triumph in Brisbane, with the series set to continue down along the West Coast for this weekend's return fixture in the Accor Stadium.
Farrell has made eight changes ahead of the clash in Melbourne, from the Test side that won the opening match against the Wallabies. Three new faces come into the starting XV, as Bundee Aki, Ollie Chessum and Andrew Porter start ahead of Sione Tuipulotu, Joe McCarthy and Ellis Genge respectively. James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Owen Farrell and Blair Kinghorn are the new additions to the Test squad bench.
Huw Jones is a late change in the midfield, after Garry Ringrose withdrew himself from the starting side with a concussion, having already been named for the 2nd Test by Andy Farrell.
Whilst the Lions will be riding a wave of momentum heading into the second test, history has shown that the men in red should avoid any complacency after taking an early lead in the series. In this article, we will take a look back at the previous 2nd Tests in Lions tour history since the turn of the professional era, as the world famous touring side has had a mixed bag of results in this stage of a the trilogy.
1997 British & Lions Tour of South Africa
South Africa 15 - 18 British & Irish Lions (2nd Test)
June 28th 1997, Kings Park Stadium, Durban
The British & Irish Lions clinched a famous 18–15 win over South Africa in the Second Test, to seal a historic 2–0 series lead in hostile territory. South Africa ran in three tries through Joost van der Westhuizen, Percy Montgomery, and Andre Joubert, but shockingly missed all six conversion and penalty attempts, leaving the door wide open for the men in red.
Once again, it fell to the metronomic Neil Jenkins to keep the Lions in the contest, nailing five crucial penalties to draw the scores level at 15–15 late in the game. With just three minutes remaining, a line‑out inside the Springboks’ 22 gave the Lions their chance. Following recycling at the breakdown, the ball reached centre Jeremy Guscott, who calmly executed a drop-goal under immense pressure to take an 18–15 lead, for a kick that sealed the series in dramatic fashion.
Throughout a brutal and close-fought game, the Lions' refuse-to-lose defensive discipline held firm. A key try‑saving tackle by Lawrence Dallaglio helped repel a fierce Bok resurgence in the closing stages. Despite never playing at their fluent best, the Lions showed mental resilience; coach Ian McGeechan later admitted the players “hung in there” when they were being outplayed. This win secured the Lions’ first Test-series victory in South Africa since 1974, in a feat which remains one of the most intense and iconic matches in Lions history.
2001 British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia
Australia 35 - 14 British & Irish Lions (2nd Test)
July 7th 2001, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
On July 7, 2001, at Melbourne’s Colonial (Marvel) Stadium, the Wallabies bounced back emphatically in the Second Test, defeating the British & Irish Lions 35–14 to level the series at 1–1. The Lions began strong, as Jonny Wilkinson landed two early penalties to lead 6–0, before Neil Back crashed over for a try, giving the tourists an 11–3 advantage at halftime.
However, after the break, Australia turned the tide through Joe Roff, whose famous intercept try sparked a scoring surge. Wallaby fly-half Matt Burke kept the scoreboard ticking with penalties and a full conversion. Roff’s second try pushed the score to 21–11, before Burke again added three penalty goals and a further try, finishing with a commanding personal haul of 25 points.
The shift in momentum was stark: the Lions, who had looked sharp early on, became visibly fatigued, especially after flanker Richard Hill was forced off following a collision with Nathan Grey. This incident disrupted the Lions rhythm on both sides of the ball, and drew plenty of criticism over its physicality. Hill was subsequently ruled out of the third Test with a concussion, which was a hammer blow for the Lions.
Australia’s physicality, tactical adjustments, and Burke’s boot under pressure made all the difference. While the Lions delivered the better opening half, Australia’s dominant second-half performance restored parity and set up a dramatic decider in Sydney.
2005 British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand
New Zealand 48 - 18 British & Irish Lions (2nd Test)
July 2nd 2005, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Inside Wellington’s Westpac (Regional) Stadium, the All Blacks delivered a staggering 48–18 victory over the British & Irish Lions in the Second Test. This seized a 2–0 series lead and built towards the impending whitewash that cast a shadow over the 2005 tour.
The Lions opened brightly, as captain Gareth Thomas scored under the posts just 90 seconds in, with the conversion nailed by Jonny Wilkinson. However, that spark lasted only minutes as Dan Carter responded with two penalties before masterminding the All Blacks’ first try. He set up Tana Umaga with a blistering break from turnover ball, marking the beginning of total domination from the All Blacks.
By halftime, New Zealand led 21–13, yet the second half belonged entirely to the masterful Dan Carter. He scored two tries, converted four, and added five penalties, amassing a record 33 points, the most ever by an All Black against the Lions. Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richie McCaw also dotted down, underlining the All Blacks’ relentless superiority over their hapless tourists.
Though Simon Easterby crossed late for the Lions, it was too little, too late. The performance exposed systemic issues: tactical confusion, poor discipline, and waning morale, all amplified by Clive Woodward’s criticised leadership, including bizarre team-bonding exercises and a divisive speech from spin doctor Alastair Campbell. This result marked one the second stage towards one of the lowest points in Lions history, as a humiliating 3–0 series loss would follow, for a catalyst for change in future tours.
2009 British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa
South Africa 28 - 25 British & Irish Lions (2nd Test)
June 27th 2009, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
In 2009, the Springboks edged the British & Irish Lions 28–25 in a brutal Second Test, to clinch the series 2–0 in dramatic fashion. The Lions built an early lead when Rob Kearney scored their only try, which was converted by Stephen Jones. Jones then added two penalties and a drop-goal to put the visitors ahead 16–8 by the hour-mark.
However, South Africa responded fiercely in front of a packed-out Pretorian crowd, as JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, and Jaque Fourie each crossed for tries, canceling the deficit as the game tipped back and forth upon a red and green knife-edge. With two minutes to go, Stephen Jones slotted a penalty to level the Lions up at 25–25, but in the final play, Morné Steyn calmly drilled a 52‑metre penalty to win the match and seal the series for the Boks.
The Test was visceral and punishing: Schalk Burger was yellow-carded in the first minute for making contact with a player's eye and was later suspended for eight weeks. Injuries to Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Brian O'Driscoll, and Jamie Roberts forced multiple changes for the Lions, with uncontested scrums introduced as the Lions battled on without a regular front row.
Despite the defeat, the Lions were praised for their resilience. Jamie Roberts completed the game without missing a tackle until his wrist injury subsided his involvement, as the whole Lions side battled relentlessly to the final whistle. This Second Test went down as one of the most excruciating and dramatic in Lions history. A narrow defeat, but a heroic effort under hellish circumstances.
2013 British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia
Australia 16 - 15 British & Irish Lions (2nd Test)
June 29th 2013, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Australia secured a dramatic 16–15 victory over the Lions in the Second Test, leveling up the series at 1–1. Before this, the Lions led 12–9 at half-time, thanks to five accurate Leigh Halfpenny penalties. The only try of the match came in the 74th minute, as Adam Ashley‑Cooper burst through from close range, following sustained Australian phases. His go-ahead score, converted by Christian Leali‘ifano, shifted the margin to 16–15 in favour of the Aussies.
The Test was fiercely physical, featuring numerous breakdown penalties and set‑piece resets that stifled the rhythm of the match. Lions captain Sam Warburton was instrumental in defence, particularly before his exit after 67 minutes, after which Australia began to assert themselves. A late push for Lions glory was dashed, when Halfpenny's last-minute penalty attempt fell short.
The Welshman had a long-ranged crack at the posts from inside his own half, yet Will Genia would collect the ball and send it out into the stands. The squandered effort handed Australia the win and shifted momentum ahead of the series decider in Sydney. This tense, attritional Test highlighted the resilience of both sides, with the Wallabies' perseverance and clutch finishing resetting the series and setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown.
2017 British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand
New Zealand 21 - 24 British & Irish Lions (2nd Test)
July 1st 2017, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Once again in Wellington’s Westpac Stadium, the British & Irish Lions claimed a memorable 24–21 comeback victory in the Second Test. This leveled the 3‑Test series at 1–1, and teed up the decider that would ultimately be drawn, come the end of the action at Eden Park.
A pivotal moment came in the 25th minute when All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams was red-carded for a shoulder charge, to become the first All Black sent off upon home soil in 50 years. This left New Zealand a man down for 55 minutes, which the Lions took full advantage of. The Lions made a calculated shift, choosing to run and handle the ball in Wellington's wet weather, rather than kick into the swirling winds that engulfed the capital city stadium.
The Lions, trailing 21–12 late on, struck twice in the final quarter. Back row Taulupe Faletau plunged over from a slick midfield shift, and scrum half Conor Murray, ever the opportunist, sniped from the base of a ruck to score. Owen Farrell converted both tries and nailed a late penalty in the 78th minute, to record a famous Lions test victory in the land of the All Blacks.
Defensively, the visitors were rock-solid, making 111 of 122 tackles (91 %) and preventing the All Blacks from crossing for a try at home for the first time since 2002. This gritty display, fueled by breakdown dominance and mental resolve, put the Lions firmly back in contention heading into the decider at Eden Park. This ended a 12-year wait for a Lions Test win in New Zealand, after the 2005 tour witnessed the aforementioned 3-0 whitewash.
2021 British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa
South Africa 27 - 9 British & Irish Lions (2nd Test)
July 31st 2021, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
South Africa delivered a dominant 27–9 victory over the British & Irish Lions in the Second Test, leveling the series 1–1 and forcing a decisive decider. The Lions held a narrow 9–6 lead at half-time with Dan Biggar’s boot doing all the damage, before the Springboks unleashed a powerful second-half performance that stunned Warren Gatland's tourists.
South Africa’s surge began early after the break, with Makazole Mapimpi slicing through to score the first try. This was promptly followed soon after by Lukhanyo Am, whose grounded effort stemmed from pinpoint ball placement and smart support from the centre. Fly-half Handré Pollard was flawless off the tee. Coming in hot from winning the Top 14 with Montpellier, the soon-to-be Leicester Tigers man landed five penalties and added a conversion for a tally of 17 points.
The Test was fiercely contested, marked by ill-tempered moments and high-stakes calls. Two players received yellow cards (Duhan van der Merwe for a trip, Cheslin Kolbe for a high tackle), whilst Lions centre Robbie Henshaw had a try disallowed in the opening half. South Africa’s second-half superiority was absolutes, they outscored the Lions 21–0 for an emphatic 40-minute stint.
The result underscored the Springboks’ physical dominance, tactical adjustments, and control at the breakdown. South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber lauded the team's adaptability after the match: “We adapted to [the Lions’] plans … we were ready this time”. With the series poised, attention then turned to the epic decider. The Springboks would go on to win the one of a kind Lions series, that was played in-front of the empty stadiums of the Covid Pandemic.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Lions star releases emotional statement after devastating injury news confirmed
- Re-Wind: Owen Farrell’s Lions career ahead of Test match return this Saturday
- Red Roses Announce Squad for 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup
- British and Irish Legends Player Ratings v Classic Wallabies: Mike Tindall impresses
- “7 changes” – Fans All Say the Same Thing About Andy Farrell’s Controversial Second Test Lions XV
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading