A comeback from 18-points behind to safe a 29-26 triumph within the second Check will go down as one of many biggest video games in Lions historical past.
Joe Schmidt’s facet will probably be hurting after the agonising method of the defeat, with the successful attempt coming 51 seconds earlier than the ultimate whistle. They are going to take encouragement at the very least, and will probably be determined to keep away from a primary sequence whitewash in 119 years.
Lions vs Australia date, kick-off time and venue
The Third Check between the Lions and Australia takes place on Saturday, August 2, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 11am BST. That’s 8pm native time.
The Accor Stadium in Sydney will host the match.
Easy methods to watch Lions vs Australia
TV channel: Stay protection of the Third Check is accessible by way of Sky Sports activities, who’ve unique broadcasting rights to the Lions tour within the UK this summer season.
Their broadcast begins at 9:30am BST on Saturday morning on each Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion and Sky Sports activities Motion.
Stay stream: Followers with a Sky Sports activities subscription also can watch the Third Check reside on-line by way of the Sky Go app, whereas it’s out there to stream by way of NOW.
Stay weblog: Observe the Third Check motion with Commonplace Sport’s reside weblog.
Lions vs Australia crew information
There are two adjustments to the facet that beat the Wallabies in that thriller on the Melbourne Cricket Floor final day out.
Scot Blair Kinghorn replaces James Lowe on the left wing, whereas James Ryan is available in for Ollie Chessum within the second row.
Tadhg Furlong and Maro Itoje will play their ninth consecutive Lions Assessments having performed at each the New Zealand and South Africa excursions in 2017 and 2021 respectively.
Owen Farrell and Alex Mitchell are the one two backs on the bench, whereas Ben Earl returns to the 23.
As for the Wallabies, flanker Rob Valetini is out, after he was withdrawn on the interval in Melbourne.
Nic White will play his last sport for the Aussies after he introduced his retirement from worldwide rugby, whereas Taniela Tupou will play at prop.
Lions vs Australia lineups
Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Pietsch; Lynagh, White; Slipper, Porecki, Tupou, Frost, Skelton, Hooper, McReight, Wilson
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Nonggorr, Williams, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway
British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Kinghorn; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Ryan, Beirne, Curry, Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, Genge, Stuart, Chessum, Morgan, Earl, Mitchell, Farrell
Lions vs Australia face to face (h2h) historical past and outcomes
The Lions have gained seven of the 9 sequence they’ve performed in Australia, with the one exceptions coming in 1930 and 2001.
Lions vs Australia prediction
This Third Check is uncharted territory for the Lions, at the very least within the fashionable period, as it’s successfully a useless rubber… but in addition a shot at historical past. Do Andy Farrell’s facet have sufficient drive and, extra importantly, focus to finish the whitewash? Publicly, the reply is all the time one factor, however the proof will solely be clear on the day.
Australia vastly improved within the Second Check, however actually have themselves guilty for the late defeat as they’d no reply when the Lions had been wherever close to their posts. Joe Schmidt will want one other tactical tweak – after which some – to plug that gap.
A lot will depend on any sore our bodies in want of relaxation after a gruelling summer season on the finish of a gruelling season. With historical past on the road, and the hosts determined to disclaim it, this Third Check needs to be one other tight affair.
Australia to win by seven factors.
Lions vs Australia match odds
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to alter).
