The British & Irish Lions suffered a crushing defeat to Australia, losing the third and final Test in Sydney by 22-7. The result marked a disappointing conclusion to the series, with many questioning coach Andy Farrell’s tactics.
Farrell made only two changes to his starting lineup for this match, but it wasn’t enough to inspire his team. The Lions looked tired and sloppy, failing to cope with the physical Wallabies pack. The series win was already out of reach, making this game a chance for players to earn caps.
Here’s how the key players fared:
Hugo Keenan (15) – 6/10: Started strong but struggled in a defensive position.
Tommy Freeman (14) – 6/10: Had promising runs but left the field before half time.
Huw Jones (13) – 5/10: Anonymous in the first half, but stood up well in an unfamiliar role.
Bundee Aki (12) – 3/10: Handled poorly under pressure and struggled with handling.
Blair Kinghorn (11) – 5/10: Provided security under the high ball but made a mistake that led to a try.
Finn Russell (10) – 5/10: Made some nice kicks but not enough, and had a sloppy knock-on.
Jamison Gibson-Park (9) – 5/10: Outplayed by Nic White and struggled to find his passing rhythm.
Andrew Porter (1) – 4/10: Penalized for scrummaging and didn’t get much success thereafter.
Dan Sheehan (2) – 4/10: Lineout struggles under pressure.
Tadhg Furlong (3) – 5/10: Struggled to impose himself but stood firm against the Wallabies’ attack.
Maro Itoje (4) – 6/10: Led the tackle charts but failed his HIA and was forced out of the game.
James Ryan (5) – 5/10: Handled a physical battle but left the field early with an injury.
Tadhg Beirne (6) – 7/10: Had a great match, but ultimately couldn’t get the Lions on top.
Tom Curry (7) – 7/10: Tireless effort but fell victim to slippery conditions and an injury.
Jack Conan (8) – 6/10: Reliable carrier but didn’t make much impact.
Ronan Kelleher (16) – 4/10: Yellow-carded with 10 minutes left and didn’t affect the game.
Ellis Genge (17) – 7.5/10: Delivered a crucial performance from the bench.
Will Stuart (18) – 7/10: Scored a consolation try but was solid in his cameo.
Ollie Chessum (19) – 6/10: Came on late and made an impact with his physical presence.
Jac Morgan (20) – 7/10: Paved the way for the Lions’ last-ditch effort but ultimately couldn’t turn it around.
Ben Earl (21) – 6/10: Had some flashy runs in the end, but it was too little, too late.
Farrell’s tactics have been questioned, with many pointing to a lack of energy and accuracy from his team. The Wallabies’ improved performance throughout the series has made them look like one of the top teams in the world. As for the Lions, they’re now facing concerns about their future under coach Andy Farrell.
Source: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/british-irish-lions-player-ratings-vs-wallabies-3rd-test-2025-lions-series