Australia vs British and Irish Lions: Reactions from around the world

WA Today

The Wallabies have pulled off a miraculous second Test escape act to break British and Irish hearts at Etihad Stadium and keep coach Robbie Deans in his job following a 16-15 victory. It handed Australia an epic win and sends the nerve-wracking series into a decider at Sydney's ANZ Stadium next Saturday night.

The Wallabies had thrown everything at the must-win match and looked the more dangerous attacking team but the Lions' defensive pressure and breakdown improvement frustrated them into error.

The Lions led 12-9 at halftime as little separated the two sides in a game of nip and tuck with the lead changing hands four times.

Perthnow

ROOKIE Wallaby Christian Lealiifano kicked a nail-biting conversion to seal a thrilling one-point victory over the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne, and keep Australia's series hopes alive heading to Sydney.

Daily Mail

What a game. What a series. It's all down to Sydney next Saturday after another truly gripping Test. This is what sport is all about.

Stuff

The amazing win, secured with a stunning try to Adam Ashley-Cooper in the 76th minute which was then converted by Christian Lealiifano, sets up a compelling third test decider in Sydney next Saturday night.

Green and gold rugby

The Wallabies only had a couple of muddy tags between heartache and victory last week. Heartache won the day! The Lions have lost players in Key positions while the Wallabies have a re-jigged back-line. Who’s cuisine will reign supreme?

Yahoo sport

Australia were deserved winners after their huge spell of pressure deep in the second half led to Ashley-Cooper's try, the only one of the game.

Players’ reactions

"We certainly made it hard on ourselves at times, but it saves the series for Sydney," Wallabies skipper James Horwill said. "We didn't get a lot of rhythm on the ball tonight, and it's something we need to get better at."

Lions captain Sam Warburton said it was a bitter setback.

"Credit to Australia. They pushed us all the way to the end and got the try," he said. "It was a great game to be involved in, just disappointing for us at the end.