Australia vs British & Irish Lions - Test series: Live score, team news and updates as Andy Farrell's side have it all to do for whitewash quest as they trail in treacherous conditions to the Wallabies

Australia vs British & Irish Lions - Test series: Live score, team news and updates as Andy Farrell's side have it all to do for whitewash quest as they trail in treacherous conditions to the Wallabies
By: dailymail Posted On: August 02, 2025 View: 51

Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as the British & Irish Lions face Australia in in the third test of the Test series at Accor Stadium. 

Half-time: Australia 8-0 Lions

A great start for the Wallabies here in a rain-soaked Sydney.

A try from Dylan Pietsch in the first seven minutes of the match and a penalty from Tom Lynagh have seen the hosts take an 8-0 lead in this final Test.

Joe Schmidt's side have been the more physical side at the Accor Stadium, dominating at the breakdown both defensively and offensively, winning the ball back in key areas.

The Lions will need to up their intensity if they are to pull this match back.

Meanwhile, things got a little bit ense in that first-half...

Breaking:Maro Itoje has failed his HIA

Lions captain Maro Itoje's tour of Australia is over after the second-row failed a head injury assessment.

Itoje was pulled from the field by medics after just 27 minutes, having suffered a head knock during a lineout as the Lions weathered both a storm of rain and Wallabies attacks.

The Saracens second-row appeared to have a cut to his mouth with blood pouring down his cheek.

But after 10 minutes off the field, the Lions skipper was deemed unable to return to the pitch.

Tommy Freeman was also removed from the pitch with blood pouring from his nose and he too has failed a head injury assessment.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Gourley/Shutterstock (15422399bd) Maro Itoje of the British & Irish Lions goes off the field for a head injury assessment Australia v British & Irish Lions, Third Test Match, Lions Tour of Australia, Rugby Union, Accor Stadium Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia - 02 Aug 2025

Australia 8-0 Lions: Wallabies are just too good at the breakdown

Here come the Lions...

They seem to have finally woken up, only 36 minutes into this match.

They make their way into the Wallabies 22, with Conan, Sheehan and Beirne all hitting the ball up.

But Australia are just so much better at the breakdown than the Lions.

Their support for their ball carriers is just a little too slow, with Harry Wilson and Co showcasing their brilliance getting over the ball and slowing down play.

The Lions get up to the Wallabies' 5m line, but Australia win back the ball and clear their lines with the Lions unable to come away with a score.

Meanwhile, Tommy Freeman has come off with blood pouring out of his nose. Owen Farrell takes the field in his place.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Nic White of the Wallabies is tackled during the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Finn Russell of the British & Irish Lions kicks the ball whilst under pressure from Nic White of Australia during the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

CHRIS FOY: This isn't a dead-rubber Test

This certainly doesn’t feel like a hollow, dead-rubber Test – not so far anyway. There are some savage shots going in; especially from the Lions as Australia are dominating possession and territory. There has already been one mass scuffle and with the arch antagonist, Nic White, on hand to wind-up the visitors, it probably won’t be the last.
The Wallabies finally have their heavyweight combination of Taniela Tupou and Will Skelton together on the tighthead side of their scrum and the pair have given their side a powerful set-piece advantage early on. They even combined in open play too. While the two massive forwards are on the field, Australia’s pack will have considerable clout, but it is unlikely they will have the stamina to play deep into the second half.

Australia 8-0 Lions: Lynagh increases the lead

Another score for Australia, and they've pulled to eight points clear of the Lions who are struggling to cope with the pressure the hosts are putting on them.

Tom Lynagh tees up a penalty from in front of the posts and makes no mistake in putting the ball over.

After booting the goal the Wallabies No 10 immediately runs off the pitch for a head injury assessment.

Two Lions meet a secret agent!

A big throwback to 2013...

Australia 5-0 Lions: Itoje goes off

Looks like Maro Itoje is heading off here for a HIA.

The Lions captain has blood pouring from out of his mouth here and might be heading down to the medics' room to get a few stitches too.

Meanwhile, the Wallabies have a line-out on the Lions five metre line but an excellent bit of play from the tourists sees them turn the ball over and win a scrum to ease the pressure.

The ball comes flying out the side of the scrum but the Wallabies are just ramping up the pressure.

They force Bundee Aki to knock the ball on right next to the posts and win another scrum.

It's getting a bit frosty out there too, with both side's throwing a few sledges back and forth.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: James Ryan of the British and Irish Lions clashes with Will Skelton of the Wallabies during the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australia 5-0 Lions: Here come the handbags!

Australia kick for territory and advance down to the Lions' 22m line.

The Lions recover the ball but an almighty brawl has just erupted.

Players come flying in from both sides as Will Skelton, Nic White and Dan Sheehan appear to have not seen eye to eye over a clearout at the breakdown.

The referee is now doing the rounds, telling the players to calm down, before giving the Lions a penalty.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Will Skelton of the Wallabies fights with James Ryan of the British and Irish Lions during the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Maro Itoje of the British & Irish Lions looks on during the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Australia 5-0 Lions: Australia are dominating

A game of kick tennis has erupted on the footy pitch here.

Australia put the ball out for a line-out and the Lions ship the ball out to Bundee Aki, who crashes the ball up through the midfield.

However, Hooper and Pietsch are there to wrap up the centre and turn over the ball.

The Lions have started just as they did last week. Slowly.

Australia 5-0 Lions: This rain is biblical

In fairness to both sides, they are playing in a typhoon right now but the quality of the handling on show has been excellent so far.

Yes, we had a few knock-ons in the previous play but under the high ball, both have been excellent.

But given the conditions, the game has descended into a bit of a kicking fest, with both sides looking to put the pressure back on their opponents.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Andy Farrell, Head Coach of the British & Irish Lions, looks on as the teams warm-up prior to the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Tadhg Beirne of the British and Irish Lions wins lineout ball during the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Australia 5-0 Lions: TRY for the hosts!

The Wallabies get off to a fast start again!

It's a patient passage of play from the Aussies, who come away with five points thanks to some magic hands from Joseph Suaalii who ships the ball out wide to Dylan Pietsch.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Dylan Pietsch of the Wallabies scores a try during the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australia 0-0 Lions: It's wet...

The conditions are really not improving here.

The Wallabies have a scrum on the Lions' five-metre line and they've started well.

The ball is slippery so they too are keeping things in the forwards who are just creeping closer and closer to the try line.

The Lions, though, are defending brilliantly.

Where would a whitewash put the class of 2025?

Should the Lions win tonight, this will be the first time since 1927 that the Lions have claimed a series whitewash.

But where does this side rank among some of the greatest touring sides ever?

From Willie John McBride to Jeremy Guscott, Mail Sport has ranked the 10 greatest Lions tours of all time.

Australia 0-0 Lions: We are underway!

And we're underway here at the Accor Stadium!

It's Australia kicking off to the Lions and already the conditions are having an impact with the tourists opting to keep the ball in tight.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Harry Wilson of the Wallabies leads his team off the field during warm up prior to  the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Andy Farrell, Head Coach of the British & Irish Lions, looks on as the teams warm-up prior to the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Footy meets footy...

All the way back in 1888, the Lions travelled Down Under to take on Australia but found themselves playing a slightly different game that wasn’t rugby union.

The Lions arrived in Melbourne with players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in fact turning their hand to play Austrlian rules football.

AFL was originally thought up to help cricketers in Australia stay fit and active during the winter.

And as Australian sporting chiefs wanted to maintain a strong gate for the Lions tour, the tourists took on the Carlton Football Club in an Australian rules footy match.

But the results were very surprising.

Here’s how the Lions mastered a sport they’d never played before...

Your halfback pairing for today

CHRIS FOY: I can't wait for the World Cup here

They’ve really nailed the pre-match light shows, big-screen team announcements and music during this series, to set the scene before kick-off.
The atmosphere hasn’t always remained loud and vibrant once the games begin, but every effort has been made to crank up the anticipating levels with noise and colour. If it’s like this for night games in two years’ time, the next World Cup here will be quite something…

What it means to be a British and Irish Lion

Full of heart, full of pride, Pierre Schoeman reflects on what it truly means to be a British and Irish Lion.

NIK SIMON: My seat is shaking!

A shout-out for the sound system at the Accor Stadium. They like an emotive pre-match montage on the Lions tour and the bass levels here are magnificent. It feels like I’m sat in an IMax cinema with state-of-the-art surround sound. My seat is shaking!
Lions supporters ahead of the Third Test match between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions at  at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, August 2, 2025. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: A British & Irish Lions fan takes a photo ahead of the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Gourley/Shutterstock (15422399r) Australian Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt Australia v British & Irish Lions, Third Test Match, Lions Tour of Australia, Rugby Union, Accor Stadium Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia - 02 Aug 2025

Your Lions team to play Australia

So, after last week's victory, Andy Farrell has made only a couple of changes for tonight's match.

Blair Kinghorn comes into the side, replacing James Lowe on the left wing.

Meanwhile, James Ryan comes in for Ollie Chessum.

Interestingly, Alex Mitchell has completed the full clean sweep, having been named in all 10 of the tourists' matchday squads during their tour Down Under.

CHRIS FOY: Good luck to both teams trying to handle the ball

It’s amusing to recall that, when the Lions last played in Sydney four weeks ago, head coach Andy Farrell claimed after a narrow victory over the Waratahs that the home side had excessively watered the pitch at Allianz Stadium, in order to negate the British and Irish tourists’ attacking game. Everything is relative.
Conditions here at Accor Stadium, on the outskirts of the same city, are far worse tonight than they were a handful of miles away on July 5. It has been absolutely lashing down for hours, with the rain swirling around and drenching most spectators, who have repeatedly fled the stands to escape the deluge. Good luck to both teams trying to handle the ball…
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt during the warm up ahead of the Third Test match between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, August 2, 2025. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Fans shelter from the rain before the Qatar Airways Lions Tour match at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Picture date: Saturday August 2, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Gourley/Shutterstock (15422399j) Maro Itoje of British & Irish Lions Australia v British & Irish Lions, Third Test Match, Lions Tour of Australia, Rugby Union, Accor Stadium Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia - 02 Aug 2025

Was it a dive? World Rugby weigh in on controversial Joe Schmidt comments

Carlo Tizzano has been blasted for diving following last week's Test in Melbourne.

Some from within the rugby community have lashed out at the Wallabies star after he appeared to fall away from a ruck, clutching his head after he was cleared out by Jac Morgan.

James Haskell slammed the Wallabies flanker for the action, while former Australia star Morgan Turinui clapped back at the officials for not awarding a penalty against the Lions for Morgan's clear out.

While Joe Schmidt fumed, it seems like we've had some clarity from World Rugby, with CEO Alan Gilpin offering his view on the contentions moment...

Nic White joins Mail Sport on tour

Mail Sport's Nic Simon and Kevin Quigley caught up with the retiring footy star, Nic White, on their travels of Australia.

Watch Lions: Roar & Uncut here...

CHRIS FOY: Kinghorn from distance?

Blair Kinghorn has similarly laid-back, languid body language to his fellow Scot, Finn Russell. With one leg heavily strapped, the Toulouse back – who operating on the wing today – has just been practising his long-range goal-kicking. Let’s just say it appears to involve minimal exertion but maximum impact.
From a short run-up and with a casual swing of the boot, Kinghorn was propelling the ball high between the posts from the halfway line and beyond. If the Lions need someone to take a shot from distance tonight, he’ll be ready to step up – without being fazed in the least.

WHITE: The time is right to pass the baton on

Nic White has been described as the 'ultimate competitor' by Joe Schmidt.

The man with the moustache has enjoyed a glittering career at the top of the game, with this being his 73rd Test appearance for Australia.

He began playing for the Wallabies back in 2013 during a Test match against Argentina in Perth and would go on to become the side's first-choice scrum half, scoring six tries for his national side.

White had wanted to run the water in tonight's match, but Schmidt had other ideas.

'Whitey’s got such massive respect inside the squad that it seemed a fitting way for him to finish,' the Wallabies boss said.

'I’m not a sentimentalist. It’s a Test match, and you pick people who are capable of playing that Test match – and we believe that Nic is.'

Retiring player Nic White during an Australian Wallabies Captain's Run and team photo at Accor Stadium, in Sydney, Friday, August 1, 2025. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING
The entire Wallabies team including coach Joe Schmidt (centre left)  wear stick on moustache's for retiring player Nic White (centre right) during an Australian Wallabies media opportunity at Accor Stadium, in Sydney, Friday, August 1, 2025. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

And that was reflected this week when the Wallabies paid homage to their retiring team-mate, by turning up for their squad photo shoot all wearing moustaches.

'Nic has an excellent kicking game. He has the confidence of the players, and he has a really good game under his belt against Fiji I thought he played really well against the British and Irish Lions for the Western Force. He’s built his way into contention,' Schmidt added.

Now, White has revealed what it means to him to play for Australia.

'Pulling on the gold jersey was a dream of mine when I was a young boy in Scone and to say I’ve done it 72 times, with one last crack on Saturday night, is something I’m incredibly proud of and a privilege I’ve never taken for granted,” White said.

'Rugby has given me so much to be grateful for. I’ve made some incredible memories, some lifelong friendships and had the opportunity to see the world.'

The entire Wallabies team including coach Joe Schmidt  wear stick on moustache's for retiring player Nic White  during an Australian Wallabies media opportunity at Accor Stadium, in Sydney, Friday, August 1, 2025. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

SCHMIDT: 'It was never about the series'

Ahead of the game, Joe Schmidt has made some interesting comments to Sky Sports, revealing that this tour was all about building and growing rugby union in Australia...

We just have to try and bank the belief we built from last week. It's going to be a very tough evening conditions-wise.
For us it was never about the series. It was always about trying to build our way forward. This time last year we just started a group getting connected and playing together and just building on that really.
It's just such a big event a Lions tour, you can maybe get a little bit distracted from those little bits and pieces you need to get right in the middle of the game.
We've just tried to focus on those and improve them so we can take them into the rugby championship after this.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Joe Schmidt, Head Coach of the Wallabies looks on prior to the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

One big name returns for the Wallabies this week

Joe Schmidt has made several noteworthy changes ahead of today's final Test.

Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou comes into the fold for his first start in the green and gold, replacing Allan Alaatoa.

Meanwhile, flanker Rob Valetini has been replaced by Tom Hooper.

But the big news for the Wallabies is Nic White is set to return to start for the Wallabies in what'll be his final Test for Australia after he announced his retirement from international rugby.

Here's your full Wallabies XV to take on the Lions...

Where else can we start but THAT incident

So the discourse for this week has related fully to Jac Morgan’s controversial clear-out in the dying embers of last week’s Test in Melbourne.

The Lions clinched a last-gasp victory and the series against Australia thanks to Hugo Keenan’s try in the dying embers of the match.

It was a remarkable moment but there was controversy with Morgan’s clear-out on Carlo Tizzano at the breakdown in the phase prior to Keenan’s try being checked by Andrea Piardi.

Morgan’s clear-out was deemed fair by the referees but Joe Schmidt had another opinion. The Aussie boss claimed that Morgan had hit Tizzano high on the next with an illegal clear-out and the try should not have stood.

But his comments prompted furious backlash from around the rugby world with James Haskell hitting out at Schmidt for his post-match comments...

Forget about running rugby...

It is absolutely lashing it down right now in Sydney.

In some areas of New South Wales, we’ve had nearly 15mm of rain falling over the last five hours.

Lions searching for a series sweep

So the final test of this year’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia is upon us, and Andy Farrell’s side are looking for a whitewash here at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.

You'll have to go back to 1927 to find the last time the Lions won every game in a series...

However, Australia will be keen to prevent the total shutout with Joe Schmidt having named mulitple changes for the match.

Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper both come into the side while Nic White starts at scrum half.

We’re an hour away from kick off so stay with us as we’ll be bringing you all the latest news updates and commentary from the Accor Stadium.

Key Updates
  • Half-time: Australia 8-0 Lions
  • Maro Itoje has failed his HIA
  • Australia 8-0 Lions: Wallabies are just too good at the breakdown
  • CHRIS FOY: This isn't a dead-rubber Test
  • Australia 8-0 Lions: Lynagh increases the lead
  • Two Lions meet a secret agent!
  • Australia 5-0 Lions: Itoje goes off
  • Australia 5-0 Lions: Here come the handbags!
  • Australia 5-0 Lions: Australia are dominating
  • Australia 5-0 Lions: TRY for the hosts!
  • Australia 0-0 Lions: It's wet...
  • Where would a whitewash put the class of 2025?
  • Australia 0-0 Lions: We are underway!
  • Footy meets footy...
  • CHRIS FOY: I can't wait for the World Cup here
  • NIK SIMON: My seat is shaking!
  • Your Lions team to play Australia
  • CHRIS FOY: Good luck to both teams trying to handle the ball
  • Was it a dive? World Rugby weigh in on controversial Joe Schmidt comments
  • Nic White joins Mail Sport on tour
  • CHRIS FOY: Kinghorn from distance?
  • WHITE: The time is right to pass the baton on
  • SCHMIDT: 'It was never about the series'
  • One big name returns for the Wallabies this week
  • Where else can we start but THAT incident
  • Forget about running rugby...
  • Lions searching for a series sweep

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