Lions Edge Wallabies 2-1 in Gritty Series

The British & Irish Lions achieved a rare 2-1 series victory over Australia in 2025, with their bid for a 3-0 whitewash thwarted by a chaotic, weather-disrupted final Test in Sydney. The series was closely contested, with Australia leading much of the last two Tests and only a single point separating the teams across all three matches. Coach Andy Farrell and captain Maro Itoje were praised for their leadership, but tactical decisions and squad rotation drew scrutiny after an inconsistent finale. The Wallabies, led by Joe Schmidt, showed significant improvement in the final match, restoring national pride and optimism ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Although the Lions' ambition to be considered the 'best ever' now appears overconfident, their hard-fought series win remains significant in rugby history. The tour was characterized by physicality, frequent stoppages, and a narrow margin of victory.