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Wallabies bounce back to deny the Lions dream of a clean sweep. Brilliant team effort deny the dominant tourists. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Series lost, but dignity maintained, the Wallabies refocused and inflicted a smashing a victory over the British and Irish Lions outfit who escaped with a series win but with the knowledge that they were decidedly, lucky on reflection.
Several contentious issues that clouded their last outing suggested that the Northern Hemisphere conqurers would have to deal with a savage backslash from a hurting host nation that prides itself at home against allcomers.
Sydney was to be the redeeming factor for a face saving Wallabies triumph, albeit, a dead rubber. But showing true grit in typical Aussie fashion, it certainly provided just that in a bruising battle which the host nation exacted revenge for the controversial second Test loss in Melbourne.
The Wallabies 22-12 win was built on a terrific forwards battle where they outmuscled the Lions and outsmarted them in backs for a memorable victory.
It was a game of contrasts where much like the game in Melbourne, their proactive mindset saw them race away to a healthy lead by the half, turning Lions strategy in game one, to their own. And it definitely paid off.
All the controversy and trash talking by the cocky Lions during their unbeaten run on tour was nullified in a savage onslaught by a clearly fired up Wallabies squad who used the barbs as fodder to spur them on.
The Lions found themselves caught in a quandary as the fired up Wallabies hunted them down in packs with bone jarring defensive intensity and clever spoiling work.
Forced to try and stem the tide as the Wallabies attacked in waves, the Lions found their plans dismantled by a team on a mission.
The win certainly raised the belief that the Wallabies are now a potent force once more. The evidence of it will be when they face up to the Springboks and All Blacks and there’s no doubting they will not fall over against either.
Joe Schmidt has left a lasting legacy of resurrecting Wallabies rugby and succession plans to stay in top is paramount at this stage.
Obviously my thoughts will attract debate and speculation but my predictions against the Lions have not been too far from the mark.
