Analysis | Three crucial moments that cost Australia the game
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The British and Irish Lions scored 5 tries in their 26-29 win over Australia to claim the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour.
We look at three crucial mistakes Australia made on defence.
Huw Jones try
37th minute-Huw Jones receives a short pass from Hugo Keenan,5 meter from the Australian line.
2. Max Jorgenson and Tate Mcdermott manages to make the hit before the line, with Mcdermott targeting the ball.
3. The crucial moment is when Mcdermott slips off the ball and Jones goes over. If Mcdermott kept onto the ball and held him up, Australia would have had a goal line drop out
What could have Australia done better?
Mcdermott should have kept onto the ball. Even maybe falling with Jones over the line. Jorgenson was already making the tackle so Mcdermott's only responsibility was the ball.
Tadhg Beirne
1.In the 59th minute, the Lions are on attack, 10 meters from the Australian line. Australia does well to number up on defence, with Len Ikitau opposite James Lowe and Max Jorgenson opposite Tadhg Beirne. No need to panic from Australia. They just need to go up on defence and make the tackle.
2. The crucial moment is when Ikitau goes too high on Lowe and the Lions winger hands him off.
3. Because Lowe gets away from the tackle, Jordenson now need to defend him and that leaves space for Beirne down the touchline
4.Fraser McReight and Tom Wright does well to get around for the cross defence but because Beirne had momentum, he rode the tackle and went over for a try.
What could have Australia done better?
Ikitau could have gone lower on Lowe
Hugo Keenan winning try
1.In the 69th minute, the British and Irish Lions are 5m out. The ball goes left to Hugo Keenan.
2. Again in this situation, Australia are sorted on defence. Ikutau have Keenan and Jorgenson have Conan.
3. Rewind a few seconds back, one can see the crucial moment Ikitau does not move forward on defence but rather sticks and waits for Keenan.
4. Keenan sees this and excellerates on Ikitau's outside.
5. Because Keenan had too much space to work with, he manages to go around Ikitau and score.
What could have Australia done better?
Ikitau could have worked harder off the line to make the tackle.
