AS IT HAPPENED: The Wallabies hopes of salvaging a Sydney tiebreaker were dashed at the death, as the Lions on the siren to prevail 29-26 in front of 90,307 fans.
The hosts led the whole match, nearly getting to a 20 point lead with tries to Jake Gordon and Tom Wright early in the first half.
Get your tickets to see the Wallabies tackle the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday.
However, the visitors whittled the side down over the remaining hour, with tries to Hugo Keenan on the death proving enough.
It was a cruel and heartbreaking end to a brave Wallabies performance, with Joe Schmidt's men throwing everything at the visitors and nearly getting the result.
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80' AUS 26 BIL 29 Few passages, and the Wallabies clear to halfway. Lions win the lineout, attack and go again. Into the 22, to the 5m line - and Keenan scores! Keenan scores! But hang on… it might be a high cleanout. They're going upstairs. No foul play is ruled. It's a try. The Lions will win. Russell misses, but it doesn't matter. That's it.
76' AUS 26 BIL 24 The Lions push hard, they want the scrum penalty. Wallabies hold, reset. Another reset. Furlong and Genge swap boots. Free kick to the Lions, they attack quickly. Into the last five minutes. Lions knock it on. Wallabies scrum.
72' AUS 26 BIL 24 Wallabies attack but it's a forward pass. Lions scrum, and earn a scrum penalty for the Wallabies collapsing the scrum. Official crowd is in, 90,307! A new Wallabies-Lions record. The Lions look dangerous but concede a penalty in the Wallabies 22. They clear the maul, but the Lions make it unplayable, scrum to the Lions.
68' AUS 26 BIL 24 Kelleher and Stuart come on for the Lions. Wallabies win the scrum and attack. Great attack on the far flank and the Lions regather on their 5m line. They clear to their 22.
65' AUS 26 BIL 24 Play breaks down, and it's a Wallabies lineout. They build some phases but concede a penalty. Lions find a great touch finder and it's on the Wallaby 5m line - Tizzano pinches it and they win a penalty for the Lions not releasing. Lynagh tries to go long but it's not out. Lions attack but knock it on.
61' AUS 26 BIL 24 Lions pick and well, into Wallaby territory - more, more and they go wide! Try in the corner to Beirne! Russell converts. Farrell and Kinghorn come on. Tizzano on for the Wallabies. Into the final 20 minutes.
59' AUS 26 BIL 17 Lions earn an advantage, and the ref goes back. Russell kicks into Wallaby territory. Pollard comes on for the Wallabies. Lions with the lineout but botch the box kick, lineout to the Wallabies. They box kick, and Lions start again. Great run by Aki and into Wallabies territory.
56' AUS 26 BIL 17 Wallabies make a couple of breaks but knock it on, scrum to the Lions on their 22. Lions makes three changes, with Morgan, Genge and Ryan coming on.
54' AUS 26 BIL 17 Lions scrum - they try to shove on, but Wallabies hold. Reset. They win the second, and Russell kicks it out on the full! Lineout to the Wallabies on the Lions 22. They win the lineout and attack, and get an advantage. Great run by McDermott, to the 5m line. Ref calls it back. They point to the sticks. Lynagh takes it and extends the lead.
48' AUS 23 BIL 17 Lions win the lineout but knock it on trying to go forward. Wallabies do well, kick in long, but Keenan keeps it in touch and clears. Wallabies attack, before a good Wright kick pins the Lions back on their 5m. Lions clear as Williams comes on for Skelton. They try a quick lineout move but knock it on.
44' AUS 23 BIL 17 Lions regather and clear, Wallabies recover well and Wilson grabs it, but a Lions hand gets in there and knocks it on. Scrum to the Wallabies. They attack but are penalised for cleaning out past the ball.
40' AUS 23 BIL 17 The teams are back on the field, the ref blows the whistle, and we are back underway. Gleeson, Robertson and Bell have come on.
40+1' AUS 23 BIL 17 Wallabies regather after a Lions clearance and go quickly. Ikitau gets in space but a Lions hand gets in the way and it's a knock on. That's half time.
38' AUS 23 BIL 17 Wallabies attack but concede a penalty for obstruction. A great touch finder sees the Wallabies back on their own line! They go to the maul, then go quick. The big men get to work - but Jones scores! The visitors have staged a good come back! Russell converts as we head into the final minute.
36' AUS 23 BIL 10 It's raining tries here! Lions regather well and after a solid build up, Curry goes over to score in the corner. Russell misses again, but that's a crucial try late in the half.
33' AUS 23 BIL 5 What a restart! The Wallabies attack, Suaalii gets in space, and links up with Wright! Try! Lynagh misses but the hosts go further ahead.
30' AUS 18 BIL 5 The Wallabies go up the gets, towards the 5m line. Gordon snipes and scores! Great try! Lynagh converts and the hosts go further ahead.
28' AUS 11 BIL 5 Lions concede a penalty for going off their feet at the restart, and Wallabies go into enemy territory. Suaalii knocks it on and the Lions kick deep, but the Wallabies recover brilliantly through Wright and get a 50/22! They win the lineout and fling themselves at the Lions.
25' AUS 11 BIL 5 Wallabies attack, they look dangerous. They earn an advantage for Lions not rolling away. Lynagh goes to the corner. The Lions shut down the maul but concede a penalty for playing the Nine. Itoje gets an official warning. They go to the corner again. Lions concede another advantage, the Wallabies dig deep - and score! James Slipper comes up, and Freeman has a yellow card! Lynagh misses but crucial score.
21' AUS 6 BIL 5 The Lions knock the ball on attempting to exit, scrum to the Wallabies. They go wide, Jorgensen attempts a kick ahead, Lions regather but it falls out. Potter looks to have hurt himself however, he's coming off with a hamstring injury. McDermott is on.
17' AUS 6 BIL 5 Lions try to go quick again, and give it to the big men. They go wide, Wallabies shut them down. Brought back for offside. Getting precarious now. Gonna tap and go, and Sheehan dives over - literally to score. Russell misses though, so the hosts still lead.
15' AUS 6 BIL 0 Ball gets trapped in the ruck and we have our first scrum to the Lions. They get an advantage, go quick, lose it, and it's on! Skelton is right in there! Ref gives him a warning. Lions go to the corner. They go quick - and score on the second phase! It's on again! Refs are bringing both captains in and give them the talk. It's a knock on in the replay! No try!
12' AUS 6 BIL 0 Lions concede a second penalty for not releasing. Wallabies point to the sticks. Lynagh steps up and nails it.
10' AUS 3 BIL 0 Wallabies win the lineout and Lynagh sends it to the air. Lions restart on halfway. They attempt a high kick, Wallabies regather and send it long. Keenan returns well - Wallabies win the lineout and send it to the air. Beirne regathers but is bundled into touch.
8' AUS 3 BIL 0 Lions attempt a quick kick and it nearly pays off, but the Wallabies win the lineout on their 5m and clear to their 10m. Lions turn to attack and try to go wide, but the Wallabies shut it down. Russell tries to spin it wide, but it goes out!
6' AUS 3 BIL 0 Wallabies point to the sticks after a great opening passage. Lynagh nails it and the hosts take the lead.
4' AUS 0 BIL 0 A botched kick-off by both sides and the Aussies go quickly, before sending it to the air. The Lions return, then concede a penalty for coming in from the side. Lynagh kicks into Lions territory. Rob Valetini takes the lineout and they go quick, and have an advantage.
0' AUS 0 BIL 0 Andrea Piardi blows his whistle and we are underway!
KO T-MIN 2: A stunning rendition of the Australian national anthem, and we are ready to roll. Let's play!
KO T-MIN 5: Every seat is full in the house, and are getting treated to a special lights show. The stage is set, the Lions fans are chanting, and the teams come out to a massive roar!
KO T-MIN 10: The lights are out, and the teams are being read out. Dan Sheehan, Maro Itoje, Jac Morgan and Finn Russell get a lot of love, while Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii unsurprisingly getting a lot of love from the crowd.
KO T-MIN 15: The Wallabies are off first, the Lions close behind them as the crowds are singing familiar favourites. We're in for a big night tonight!
KO T-MIN 30: The crowd is building very nicely here in Melbourne, as both sides continue their warm up. The gold brigade is building nicely, with lots of Wallaby flags on the eastern side - but there is a very large contingent of red building up on all levels of the Shane Warne stand.
KO T-MIN 45: Both teams are now out on the park and training. Confirmed, there will be no changes to either side for tonight's fixture.
KO T-MIN 60: We've just had the toss and the Lions have won the toss and will bat kick off.
KO T-MIN 70: The Wallabies are in the building. For those looking at the record books, here are the numbers to watch out for tonight:
Record Lions crowd in Oz: 84,188 (Accor Stadium, 2001)
Record Rugby crowd at MCG: 90,119 (v All Blacks in 1997)
Record Lions crowd: 95,000 approx (Ellis Park, 1955)
The stadium is starting to fill from top to bottom, with seagulls circling the stadium to give fans a true MCG experience.
KO T-MIN 80: The Lions are in the building. The crowd is building nicely. Current conditions here are perfect for rugby at present: light breeze on the ground and a nice temperature for evening rugby. However, scattered showers are appearing on the radar after intermittent rain, which may interrupt proceedings tonight.
KO T-MIN 90: Hello and welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the second British & Irish Lions test against the Wallabies. It's must-win territory for the hosts as a big crowd in excess of 90,000 is expected at the 'G.
Tries: Slipper, Gordon, Wright
Con: Lynagh 1/3
Pen: Lynagh 3/3
Tries: Sheehan, Curry, Jones, Beirne, Keenan
Con: Russell 2/5
Cards: Freeman (23' - Yellow)
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Will Skelton, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, Dave Porecki, James Slipper
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson
LIONS (15-1): Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne; Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje (capt); Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Blair Kinghorn
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
The Wallabies' clash with the British & Irish Lions will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and Channel Nine.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm AEST with kickoff expected at 8:00 pm AEST.
It will also be shown on Channel Nine, with coverage starting from 7:30 pm.
