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Decider ... the Wallabies level the series against the British and Irish Lions. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited
It was a game the Wallabies never should have won and was far from the spectacle we witnessed in Brisbane, but the hosts held firm to set up a mouth-watering decider against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney.
Foxsports.com.au reviews the Wallabies and Lions match in Melbourne.
THE MATCH
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It was do-or-die for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions in the second Test and after 80 heart-wrenching minutes the hosts forced the series to a decider. The Wallabies had no right to escape with victory after committing 14 handling error and an incredible 19 turnovers. From the opening whistle, the Lions pressured the Wallabies at the breakdown and with rushing defence and completely out played the Wallabies in the opening stanza, and for the whole match for that matter. The first half saw sharpshooters Christian Lealiifano and Leigh Halfpenny trade penalty goals with Halfpenny missing his first shot of the match. Surprisingly, the Wallabies were dominated across the park but their set-piece, especially their scrum, kept them in the game. At the break the Lions led 12-9 as both teams struggled to hold onto the ball. The second half continued in the same vein, dropping ball and kicking penalty goals. At 15-9 and with ten minutes remaining, Wallabies captain James Horwill resisted the temptation to take three points, backing his team's scrum and packing down. Although the Wallabies bungled their set move from the scrum, they were gifted good field position after a poor clearance by Jonathan Sexton and in the next phase scored after James O'Connor went to the short side and put Adam Ashley-Cooper through a hole. Lealiifano converted the pressure kick to give the Wallabies a one-point lead with three minutes to go. Another turnover from the Wallabies gave possession to the Lions and they earned a penalty on halfway. Halfpenny had the chance to seal the series put the distance was too much for the Welsh fullback.
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TURNING POINT
In a game dominated by penalty goals it took a gutsy captaincy move from James Horwill to shun a guaranteed three points in pursuit of a greater reward. It proved to be a masterful call as the Wallabies converted their field position into seven points via Adam Ashley-Cooper and Christian Lealiifano. It didn't happen instantly however, with Israel Folau spilling an inside ball from James O'Connor in the first play after Horwill opted for a scrum. The Lions were only able to clear their line by 15 metres however and after the Wallabies sucked in a few defenders in tight, Ashley-Cooper ran an excellent line to burst through for the try. Liam Gill's amazing lineout steal with three minutes on the clock was also crucial.
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LIONS' BEST
The much maligned Sam Warburton proved to all the doubters that he is the man to lead the British and Irish Lions after a sublime performance in Melbourne. The 24-year-old flanker was the best on ground, scoring three breakdown penalties for his side and pilfering on two other occasions. However, late in the second half Warburton was the victim of a fierce cleanout, trapping his leg and hyper-extending it which forced him from the field. The injury looked remarkably like the injury Horwill suffered in the 2012. "I felt something in my hamstring in a ruck area, so I guess I'll get it assessed by the medics. "I'll be icing it tonight and I'll see how it is in the morning," said Warburton. Let's hope he is available for the deciding Test in Sydney because he is a talented and exciting player.
WALLABIES' BEST
He may have been overshadowed by Israel Folau's sensational debut in Brisbane, but no one was going to deny Will Genia the limelight at Etihad. The Wallabies No.9 was at his sniping best in and around the ruck, and kept backing his ball-runners despite some poor handling from both backs and forwards. His service was, as usual, exemplary and he played a key role in the lead-up to the game's only try as the Wallabies forwards finally got a roll on. Special mention must go to Adam Ashley-Cooper however, with the outside-centre probably the second-best player on the field.
NEXT WEEK
After making several key changes for the second Test despite winning at Suncorp, Lions coach Warren Gatland could wield the axe again for the deciding game in Sydney. If Sam Warburton's injury forces him out of the game, Sean O'Brien will grab the starting spot (not a bad replacement). Lions centres Jonathan Davis and Brian O'Driscoll have been surprisingly quiet in the opening two Tests, opening the door for Jamie Roberts if he can overcome a fitness test. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans who won't tinker with a winning formula but improved lock Rob Simmons will return to the starting side if James Horwill is found guilty of stamping. The Wallabies will need to improve their handling in the greasy Sydney conditions after dropping a mountain of ball despite the roof on Etihad being closed. After two Southern Hemisphere referees for the opening Tests, French whistle blower Romain Poite will control the match. This has the potential change the dynamic of the game completely.
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