Wallabies left heartbroken as Lions score controversial try to win series at MCG

And just like that, it was over. The Lions have won the Test series against the Wallabies with a game to spare after scoring a heartbreaking – and controversial – try in the final minute at the MCG.

A vastly improved Wallabies led 23-5 after half an hour, and despite a Lions comeback, still held a two-point lead in the dying moments. But the Lions found a gap wide and Hugo Keenan scored to win the game.

The match ended in controversial circumstances, however, with Wallabies captain Harry Wilson pleading for a penalty for an illegal clean out by Wales breakaway Jac Morgan on the neck of flanker Carlo Tizzano in the last ruck.

It was directly on the back of the neck and could have been deemed dangerous by another whistleblower, but referee Andrea Piardi gave the all clear, and the try stood.

Hugo Keenan of the British & Irish Lions scores the winning try. Credit: Getty Images

It was the only time the Lions had led in the match, and the players leapt with delight at securing the 2-0 series win, and so did the red half of a record 90,307 crowd at the famous Melbourne venue.

The Wallabies were gallant in defeat but left to regret not finishing the job after dominating the opening 30 minutes.

The Lions came back before half-time and again in the back end of the second half. The Wallabies led by nine for much of the half but gave up a try in the 59th minute to draw within two points, and then couldn’t convert opportunities to score when in the Lions’ half in the last 15 minutes.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt also may come to regret his bench choices and early substitutions, with the Lions coming home much stronger, particularly at the scrum.

The series now goes to Sydney for a dead rubber third Test, with only pride on the line for the Wallabies.

Bundee Aki of the British & Irish Lions celebrates victory following the second test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Credit: Getty Images

Australia led 23-17 at half-time after a frantic opening that saw them leading by 23-5 after 30 minutes. The added power of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini was noticeable in the collisions.

Tom Lynagh banged over a penalty in the fourth minute, and after disciplined kick pressure by the hosts, he added a second in the 10th to lead 6-0.

After a succession of penalties against the hosts, the Lions crashed over for a try from close range through Dan Sheehan. Wilson unsuccessfully objected that Sheehan had dived in the air and over the defence.

With only two backs in the bench, disaster struck for the Wallabies when wing Harry Potter came off with a torn hamstring. Reserve halfback Tate McDermott replaced him. The Wallabies didn’t miss a beat, though, and built pressure on the Lions’ line. It led to a barging try to prop James Slipper – only his fourth Test try.

Harry Wilson of the Wallabies and Maro Itoje of the British & Irish Lions Credit: Getty Images

The Lions lost Tommy Freeman to the bin, and the Wallabies had the crowd alight when they returned to the Lions’ quarter and scored again, this time to a darting halfback Jake Gordon.

The noise levels went through the roof when the Wallabies scored a third from the kick-off, after shifting the ball left and allowing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to step and get free. He set Tom Wright on a free run to the line for a try and an 18-point lead.

But the Lions responded when Freeman returned. A dropped kick by Lynagh in his own quarter allowed the Lions to build pressure, and Tom Curry dived over in the right corner. The Lions scored again in the 38th minute, when Huw Jones barged over from in close.

The Wallabies managed to keep the Lions in their half, and Lynagh extended the score by another three in the 53rd minute.

The Lions made the Wallabies pay for a wasted chance when they scored a few minutes later. The power game of the Lions and some nice offloading found big flanker Tadhg Beirne on the edge and he was too big to stop.

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