Jaguares claim historic win, Reds tame Lions and Crusaders go top

Australia have made progress for sure, and of course that matters. But for a team made up of 4 leading rugby nations, including two that are ranked much higher than this opposition, a win is expected and a loss would be humiliating. Furthermore, with weeks of playing together, planning together and living together it is hard to argue that the Lions have had less opportunity for cohesion than Australia.

A win is a win, and no-one should question that. But a last-minute one-score win that depended on a 50/50 penalty call is one to humbly accept, rather than to crow about. It was neither a beating, nor even a compelling win. I thought win was not undeserved, but it’s a close call on which was the better team on the day.

And let’s get off this nonsense about it being like a world cup final. The local pub teams may feel that their big game is like a world cup final, but it’s stupid to pretend it is the reality. The RWC final is played by two of the top teams in the world, and there is no evidence that either of these teams fits that description. There is a game in Eden Park later this year between the #1 and #2 ranked teams that would be a lot closer to it, of course.

Well done to the Lions, and congrats to the Wallabies. Let’s enjoy a good game for what it was, without pretending it was something bigger than it was.

At least 20 clear outs like this in the match. But you're upset about this one. Doesn't make a lot of sense…

The fact the wallabies still made 9 line breaks was outstanding

I thought they were absolutely spot on to try and empty the tank and it worked until 35 mins shocking the lions

We always knew the lions would come back

Decent sides do

At HT to hold a 6 point lead was still a great effort against four nations

Then albeit for one minute they led the match

They should be pretty pleased overall

They seemed to punch themselves out in the first halve. They knocked the lions back on the gain line practically every time they carried.

The late tries they conceded in the first halve did for them. They were definitely set up to defend their lead in the second halve.

It was an excellent game outside of the late controversy.

They were superior in all aspects expect the scrum

Tackle stats were the same

Lineouts perfect for the wallabies

The lions were more clinical in the final 10m

Anyway I’m sick of talking about it and feeling like I’m turning Strayan 😂

Yeah he’s a good little player

Such a good and long cameo on the wing

Gordon this week was outstanding but having Tate around the ruck late on was missed

For the Lions I thought Itoje and Sheehan were outstanding

Bundee has moments too but Gibson Park was equally influential like Gordon