Australia vs British & Irish Lions - Test series: Live score, team news and updates as Andy Farrell's men eye series whitewash against the Wallabies

1 month ago 30

By ED CARRUTHERS and NIK SIMON AT ACCOR STADIUM and CHRIS FOY

Updated: 10:32 BST, 2 August 2025

Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as the British & Irish Lions face Australia in in the third test of the Test series at Accor Stadium.

SCHMIDT: 'It was never about the series'

Ahead of the game, Joe Schmidt has made some interesting comments to Sky Sports, revealing that this tour was all about building and growing rugby union in Australia...

We just have to try and bank the belief we built from last week. It's going to be a very tough evening conditions-wise.

For us it was never about the series. It was always about trying to build our way forward. This time last year we just started a group getting connected and playing together and just building on that really.

It's just such a big event a Lions tour, you can maybe get a little bit distracted from those little bits and pieces you need to get right in the middle of the game.

We've just tried to focus on those and improve them so we can take them into the rugby championship after this.

Joe Schmidt, Head Coach of the Wallabies looks on prior to the third test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Accor Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

One big name returns for the Wallabies this week

Joe Schmidt has made several noteworthy changes ahead of today's final Test.

Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou comes into the fold for his first start in the green and gold, replacing Allan Alaatoa.

Meanwhile, flanker Rob Valetini has been replaced by Tom Hooper.

But the big news for the Wallabies is Nic White is set to return to start for the Wallabies in what'll be his final Test for Australia after he announced his retirement from international rugby.

Here's your full Wallabies XV to take on the Lions...

Where else can we start but THAT incident

So the discourse for this week has related fully to Jac Morgan’s controversial clear-out in the dying embers of last week’s Test in Melbourne.

The Lions clinched a last-gasp victory and the series against Australia thanks to Hugo Keenan’s try in the dying embers of the match.

It was a remarkable moment but there was controversy with Morgan’s clear-out on Carlo Tizzano at the breakdown in the phase prior to Keenan’s try being checked by Andrea Piardi.

Morgan’s clear-out was deemed fair by the referees but Joe Schmidt had another opinion. The Aussie boss claimed that Morgan had hit Tizzano high on the next with an illegal clear-out and the try should not have stood.

But his comments prompted furious backlash from around the rugby world with James Haskell hitting out at Schmidt for his post-match comments...

Forget about running rugby...

It is absolutely lashing it down right now in Sydney.

In some areas of New South Wales, we’ve had nearly 15mm of rain falling over the last five hours.

Lions searching for a series sweep

So the final test of this year’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia is upon us, and Andy Farrell’s side are looking for a whitewash here at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.

You'll have to go back to 1927 to find the last time the Lions won every game in a series...

However, Australia will be keen to prevent the total shutout with Joe Schmidt having named mulitple changes for the match.

Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper both come into the side while Nic White starts at scrum half.

Meanwhile, Farrell has named a fairly unchanged side to take on the Aussies, with Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu both starting over Jac Morgan and Bundee Aki.

We’re an hour away from kick off so stay with us as we’ll be bringing you all the latest news updates and commentary from the Accor Stadium.

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