Australia denied The British & Irish Lions a Test series clean sweep after a wet and wild encounter in Sydney.

Following victories in Brisbane and Melbourne that secured Andy Farrell’s side the Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Series, there was little doubt that Joe Schmidt's improving Wallabies would respond in what was an attritional, chaotic and sometimes bloody battle.

The match was delayed for more than 40 minutes as lightning flashed around Accor Stadium, but the Lions were unable to strike for a third time, as the hosts claimed a famous 22–12 victory.

WALLABIES STRIKE FIRST

Fast starts have been the mantra for both coaches throughout this series.

It was the Wallabies who opened the scoring, relentlessly pounding the Lions’ line in the driving rain until they won an offside penalty.

Then, with the brakes off, swashbuckling NRL recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii flung the ball wide to the left, where Dylan Pietsch finished acrobatically with just eight minutes gone.

With the rearguard broken, the heavens opened, and biblical rain made handling difficult and conditions treacherous.

The Wallabies’ smallest player, Nic White, and their largest, Will Skelton, were in the thick of the action, sparking an early mass scuffle which underlined that Australia were in no mood for a 'redwash'.

But slick skills were in short supply in such slippery conditions. As a shower became a downpour and then a monsoon, both sides were forced to keep things simple.

However, there was greater balance to the Wallabies’ play as they cautiously spread the ball wide and then bulldozed through the middle in multiple phases.

Skelton was central to their game plan, his physicality a constant menace, while Pietsch covered every inch of the field and Taniela Tupou made his hulking presence felt in the front row.

Tom Lynagh’s penalty extended the hosts’ lead, as little seemed to go right for the tourists. Lions captain Maro Itoje departed for a head injury assessment and was later ruled out.

A bloodied Tommy Freeman, who had been struggling with a back injury during the week, also failed a HIA, as did Wallabies fly-half Lynagh, in what was a bruising first half.

Despite being without their first-choice tight-head prop, blindside flanker and fly half, the Wallabies were far from second best, delivering a defensively resolute performance.

The half-time statistics told their own story: the Lions had made 95 tackles to Australia’s 47, with the Wallabies forcing six turnovers to the visitors’ two. Australia dominated possession, territory and the breakdown but, crucially, led by only eight points at the interval.

WEATHER DELAY

The second half began with a lengthy stoppage as Lions lock James Ryan was stretchered from the pitch after colliding with Skelton.

And moments later, nearby lightning forced the players from the field for a further 40 minutes. They returned to the sounds of The Weather Girls’ 1980s hit It’s Raining Men, while, perversely, the skies briefly cleared.

By the time play resumed - after a 10-minute warm-up — the rain had returned and the Wallabies continued where they had left off.

When Bundee Aki overran Blair Kinghorn’s pass, Max Jorgensen intercepted and raced clear for a try, which Ben Donaldson converted.

It has been 42 years since the Lions last failed to register a point in a Test match. Knowing they needed three scores, they surged forward, and were rewarded when Jac Morgan crashed over following sustained forward pressure.

However, when Ronan Kelleher was sin-binned for repeated Lions infringements, it left the tourists with a mountain to climb.

Sniping scrum half Tate McDermott took full advantage, scoring his second try of the series to extend Australia’s lead while Lions forward Will Stuart scored a late consolation on the hooter.