23mins Quick and short lineout by the Aussies on the Lions 22 but somehow the Lions win the ball back. Great defending. And now here is the first scrap of the game. It’s heating up in the rain.
21mins The Wallabies turnover the ball, the fourth time they’ve done that so far this game. Penalty Australia now, good work from their pack on the halfway line.
Both teams kick the ball to each other, back and forth. The Lions with the ball now on the halfway line. The Aussies win possession.
Almost hard to see the match now through the rain. The Lions in their 8th phase of attack though. Pietsch does well and it’s an Australia penalty. They kick clear to the halfway line.
The Lions defence isn’t holding firm any more. Pietsch finds the corner and the home side lead. They fail to add the conversion though.
It is absolutely lashing in Sydney. Glad i’m not there now, it’s glorious here in Cork.
The hosts with a line-out on the Lions 22, they win it and are now looking for an early try. Wright’s kick in behind dealt with by Keenan but now it’s a five metre scrum.
Australia are on the attack first, but the Lions win the line-out.
And here is the Australian national anthem.
Here we go, here come the teams. Maybe the delay was because of the rain. Maybe not. But the teams are now heading out onto the pitch.
Slight delay perhaps but the teams are in the dressing rooms and are set to emerge.
You can understand why Andy Farrell stuck to his selection guns and made only two changes.
However….that means 11 players didn’t get to sample Lions test experience. Penny for their innermost thoughts.
Absolutely bucketing it down here at Accor Stadium as the teams complete their warm-ups.
It’s an 82,000 sell-out at the former Olympic Park but don’t be surprised to see some empty seats as the less committed decline to stay dry rather than make the 17km trek out from the city centre.
Kick-off just 10 minutes away as the lights go down and the pre-game show gets underway.
Sydney holds some good vibes for Aussies, from Cathy Freeman’s mesmeric Gold at 2000 Olympics to Justin Harrison’s match-clinching lineout steal in the third test in 2001.
Mind you, Lions smashed ‘em there in 2013. More of that please.
Welcome all to our liveblog as the British & Irish Lions looks to end their tour of Australia on a high.
My name is Andrew Horgan and unfortunately I have not been sent to Sydney to cover this match, but I will still be able to talk you all through the best of the action as it happens.
Our man Simon Lewis is in the press box Down Under and he, along with rugby expert Mick Cleary, will also be providing updates as the Lions aim to seal a 3-0 whitewash of the Wallabies.
But before kick-off at 11am, here is some pre-match reading for you to enjoy.
Donal Lenihan explains how Andy Farrell found the perfect blend to put Lions into Invincibles territory.
There is one last dance for Tadhg Furlong with place in Lions pantheon secure.
