Hugo Keenan has scored better tries, but he'll surely never score one more important.
Two points down with less than ten minutes remaining, the Lions recycled possession relentlessly - bordering on desperately - as they probed a stretched Wallabies defence. The hosts had led for the entirety of a pulsating contest at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Then, in near slow motion, full back Keenan crashed over the line, prompting a cacophony of noise reserved only for the most special nights at this storied venue.
And still the drama wasn't over for the record 90,307 watching, as Keenan wheeled away in wide-eyed celebration, the home fans seeing the MCG's massive scoreboard read 29-26 in almost disbelief.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson pleaded with referee Andrea Piardi to review the score, insisting that Lions flanker Jac Morgan had infringed during the clear-out on Australia’s Carlo Tizzano.
Piardi did look again, but held firm in his original decision, as those who packed this place in red, collectively lost their head.
It secured the Qatar Airways Lions Men's Series with a match to spare, meaning all the talk for Sydney will be not just about winning but making history - an unbeaten tour to match the fabled 'Invincibles' of 1974.
“It’s class. It’s a bit surreal—and that was just some craic,” said Keenan, whose early tour had been hampered by injury and illness.
“You can see what it means to the players, the backroom staff, the lads who didn’t get the chance to play. Having our families here to celebrate is a really special moment.
“We were 23–5 down, but Faz [Lions head coach Andy Farrell] still believed in us. The players changed the momentum. We knew we hadn’t performed in that first half. It wasn’t the second-half performance we wanted either, but it definitely showed the character, the grit, the determination.
“With my try-scoring record, I was probably the least likely to get it, but I’m absolutely delighted. It came off the back of countless phases of people working incredibly hard. It was a pretty cool moment—one I’ll savour.
“To be honest, once I saw the clear-out, I was confident. I didn’t think there was any foul play, and I trusted the refs to get it right. It was just relief. I’m ecstatic we got over the line. Such a cool moment.
“It’s a unique team to be part of. You come together and play the three biggest games of your life in a few weeks. It’s difficult, but it’s exactly where you want to be.
“The fans, your friends and family rolling in behind you—it’s really special. We’re lucky to be here. It means the world to us, and we can feel it does to the fans too.”
In the bowels of this most iconic ground, away from the cameras, as supporters floated giddily back down the Yarra, the Lions’ celebrations were raucous.
For 20 minutes, they belted out karaoke classics -Wonderwall and Sweet Caroline—before the Irish contingent took over, with Boyzone followed by a full-throated rendition of The Pogues’ Dirty Old Town.
Then, suddenly, the noise faded. It was as if a switch had been flicked. Eyes turned to Sydney, where the Lions now have the chance to complete the first unbeaten overseas tour in more than half a century.
“Next week, we have an opportunity to actually bring it all together and do something really special that’ll be remembered forever,” said captain Maro Itoje.
