British & Irish Lions beat Australia to claim first series in 16 years

The British & Irish Lions have won their first Test Series in 16 years after a 41-16 thumping of Australia in Sydney.
Lead from the front by an imperial front row of Alex Corbisiero, Richard Hibbard and Adam Jones, the Lions put on a magnificent display in the scrum to clinch the series 2-1.
Behind a solid platform Jonny Sexton pulled the strings superbly from fly-half to unleash a powerful back line while Leigh Halfpenny was once again superb from full-back whether it was from the tee or with ball in hand.
The Welshman contributed with 21 points with the boot while setting up two of the Lions’ four tries.
The tourists were off to a dream start as Will Genia couldn’t control the kick-off and then earned a free kick from the resulting scrum.
Mike Phillips tapped and went blindside and a couple of phases later, Corbisiero barged his way over for the opening try.
Ten minutes in, Sean O’Brien made his presence felt at the breakdown on half way to earn a penalty and see Halfpenny make it 10-0.
From the restart, the tourists were penilised for blocking in front Toby Faletau and Christian Lealiifano put the hosts on the board.
The Lions scrum had the upper hand early earning them two penalties in quick succession and Halfpenny stepped up on both occasions to put the Lions 16-3 up after 16 minutes.
It went from bad to worse for the Wallabies ten minutes later when after five infringements at the scrum, referee Romain Poite had no choice but to send Ben Alexander to the bin.
Halfpenny was on song from the tee and the Lions were 16 points in front with a one-man advantage too.
But the Lions couldn’t score again and instead the Wallabies came back into the game on stroke of half-time.

After turning down shot at goals on three occasions, James Horwill’s boldness paid off and James O’Connor crossed the line by the posts.
Lealiifano converted and Australia were now trailing 19-10 at the break.
The Brumbies playmaker picked up were he left off and, with another three points from the tee, the Wallabies were somehow back within striking range.
The momentum seemed to had swung dramatically and another three points soon after from the youngster made it a three-point game to set up a trilling end to the series.
On the back foot, the Lions went back to what they did best and the scrum earned yet another penalty to see Halfpenny give the tourists some breathing space.
Just before the hour mark, the momentum went back the Lions way as Jonny Sexton, right, went over following good link play from Jonathan Davies and Halfpenny in the lead up.
The Welsh full-back kept his 100 per cent record from the tee with the conversion and the Men in Red were now 29-16 in front with just over 20 minutes to go.
It was too early to celebrate but five minutes later George North put the result beyond any doubt when he scored his second try of the series following a clean counter attack from Halfpenny.
Jamie Roberts added a fourth try for good measure before holding on in the last ten minutes to claim their place as British & Irish Lions legends.
For British & Irish Lions
Tries: Corbisiero, Sexton, North, Roberts
Conversions: Halfpenny 3
Penalties: Halfpenny 5
For Australia
Tries: O’Connor
Conversions: Lealiifano
Penalties: Lealiifano 3
Sin bin: Alexander
British & Irish Lions: Leigh Halfpenny; Tommy Bowe, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Jonny Sexton, Mike Phillips; Alex Corbisiero, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones; Alun Wyn Jones (Capt.), Geoff Parling; Dan Lydiate, Sean O’Brien, Toby Faletau.
Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Justin Tipuric, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi.
Australia: Kurtley Beale; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander; Kane Douglas, James Horwill (Capt.); Ben Mowen, George Smith, Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Jesse Mogg.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
NICK VERDIER
Read the full analysis and reactions from Nick Cain and Matthew Emery in tomorrow’s edition of The Rugby Paper.