Australia 22-12 British & Irish Lions: Andy Farrell's men miss out on 98-year feat in weather-affected series finale

The British & Irish Lions fell short of a first tour whitewash in almost a century as Australia claimed a consolation 22-12 victory in a chaotic series finale in Sydney.

The Wallabies were only playing for pride on the back of two previous defeats to Andy Farrell's crop, who were eight for eight on their 2025 tour before visiting Stadium Australia.

Another victory would have seen Farrell's men become the first Lions team since the 1927 crop to win every single one of their tour matches, and the first since the 1974 side to win three successive Tests.

However, the Lions were firmly second best in the early exchanges, where atrocious conditions prevented the visitors from establishing any sort of rhythm on the ball as Australia's physicality won out.

Joe Schmidt's men were on the board after just eight minutes courtesy of Dylan Pietsch's try, and while the Lions kept the hosts at bay for the remainder of the first 40, it was not without significant sacrifice in the pouring rain.

Lightning stops play in Lions-Australia series finale

Play has been SUSPENDED due to a lightning threat in the Sydney area ⚡️? pic.twitter.com/35E3NhsPaB

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) August 2, 2025

Captain Maro Itoje's series came to a premature end after the Saracens man failed a head injury assessment, while Tommy Freeman also had to be withdrawn before a serious issue for Irishman James Ryan.

The 29-year-old was caught square on by Will Skelton's knee as he dove in for a challenge, although he gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as he was carted off, shortly before lightning led to a lengthy pause in play.

Fears of abandonment did not come to fruition, though; thankfully so for Australia, who strode 15 points clear in the 55th minute as Max Jorgensen capitalised on a passing mix-up from Blair Kinghorn and Bundee Aki.

Farrell's men belatedly got on the board through Jac Morgan to spark faint hopes of a turnaround, but those hopes were extinguished with eight minutes to go, as Tate McDermott restored the Wallabies' 15-point lead.

The Lions refused to go down waving the white flag and forced their way over once more through Will Stuart, but that was the final act of a frenzied, weather-affected finale.