July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Monday, July 16, 2001 - Web posted at 11:14:24 GMT

Australia edge out Lions to win series

SYDNEY - World champions Australia beat the British and Irish Lions 29-23 in a tense, fierce match here on Saturday to win a bruising Test series 2-1.

Centre Daniel Herbert scored a try either side of half-time and full-back Matt Burke kicked five penalties and converted both tries.

Left wing Jason Robinson and flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson scored tries for the Lions.

Wilkinson converted both of them and also kicked three penalties.

The game swung decisively Australia's way 15 minutes from the end of a brutal match when Burke kicked a penalty for Lions' obstruction in a line-out to put the Wallabies 26-23 ahead.

He kicked his fifth penalty with four minutes left to settle the outcome.

Crucially, Australia had held out for 10 minutes midway through the second half, while Herbert was sinbinned after a neck-high tackle which could have decapitated his opposite number Brian O'Driscoll.

Wilkinson kicked that penalty to pull the sides level and five minutes later Wallaby prop Rod Moore was penalised for collapsing a maul.

But Wilkinson missed what turned out to be a hugely important kick.

The Lions had attacked from the second-half kick-off and drove the ball under the Wallaby posts before feeding Wilkinson.

The England man, who feared he had broken his leg in last week's 35-14 second Test defeat in Melbourne, feinted and slipped over for a great try he converted.

But the Lions could never gain the momentum they needed and failed to win their share of line-out ball.

Australia had snatched a try out of nothing three minutes from the break to lead 16-13 at half-time.

Herbert burst through after right wing Andrew Walker and left wing Joe Roff combined to set him free and Burke converted.

Burke had earlier kicked three penalties but missed two sitters.

Robinson slipped over for his 10th try of the tour after 18 minutes and Wilkinson converted to put the Lions ahead.

Wilkinson also kicked two penalties in that half.

Four five-metre scrums eventually saw Wilkinson spin the ball out to hooker Keith Wood and prop Tom Smith to give Robinson, starved of the ball in last week's defeat in Melbourne, space in the corner.

Burke kicked three early penalties, twice when Lions No 8 Scott Quinnell failed to release at the tackle.

- Nampa-Sapa-AFP

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