The third and final test between Australia and the British & Irish Lions takes place at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, 2 August. The home side will be desperate for a win to avoid a 3–0 series whitewash and in this blog we preview the match with regular updates on the betting, weather and team selection and also at least 1 suggested bet.
BETTING UPDATE
Posted 02 August 11h04
There has been very little movement with the line still +8.5 Australia and the points line is 41.5 and 42.5 in places.
I am tempted by the unders but with plenty of Currie Cup action ahead I am going to stick to the Wallaby win play for now - interesting to note that has shortened from 7/2 to 3/1 at WSB
Enjoy the final test and thanks for reading the previews during the series - the numbers have been excellent
1ST BET: AUSTRALIA TO SALVAGE PRIDE
Posted 01 August 22h29
2 units Australia win at 7/2 at WSB
The betting has been stable with the Lions -8.5 and total points has edged up from 41.5 to 42.5.
While the Lions will want the series sweep the intensity may just dip that fraction will being a huting Australian side into the equation.
I will be back closer to kick off with a final look at the weather (by all accounts it has been pouring and conditions will be terrible) and a possible points bet but for now a straight win bet on the Aussies who look the value at 7/2.
3rd TEST BETTING AND WEATHER UPDATE
Posted 31 July 13h03
The teams are out (see below) and the betting remains stable
Australia +8,5 v B&I Lions
Total points is low at 41.5 with plenty of rain forecast in the build up and during the match
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AUSTRALIA v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS – 3RD TEST PREVIEW
Date & Time: Saturday, 2 August 2025 – 20:00 AEST/12:00 SAST
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Nika Amashukeli
Weather: Temperature in mid teens with rain forecast throughout the day. Humidity in the 80's - keep an eye on TimeandDate.com for updates
Line Ups Announced
Posted 08:30 31st July Revised 01 August 22h37
Australia have been forced into a change at hooker
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
British and Irish Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Blair Kinghorn, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Owen Farrell.
EARLY BETTING - at Hollywoodbets
Posted 27 July 21h40
Australia 2.95/1
Draw 24/1
B&I Lions 0.28/1
Handicap: Australia +8.5
The British & Irish Lions arrive in Sydney with the trophy already secured, but the series is far from over emotionally. After edging the Wallabies 29–26 in a dramatic second test at the MCG, the Lions now look to complete a clean sweep in what has already been a memorable and hard-fought tour.
The second test was a true classic. Australia stormed out of the blocks and led 23–5 inside the opening half-hour, with tries from Jake Gordon, Tom Wright, and veteran James Slipper. The return of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini added the power the Wallabies had lacked in Brisbane, and the MCG crowd of over 90,000 was in full voice.
But the Lions, as they have done throughout the tour, found a way. Tries from Sheehan, Curry, and Jones closed the gap by halftime, and a second-half effort from Tadhg Beirne kept them within touching distance. Then, with less than a minute on the clock, fullback Hugo Keenan broke Australian hearts with the match-winning try. The Wallabies were left fuming after a controversial clean-out in the lead-up, but the decision stood, and the Lions sealed the series.
Heading into the decider, Australia will be desperate to avoid a whitewash and will now know they have the firepower to hurt the Lions. Their opening 30 minutes in Melbourne showed just how dangerous they can be, particularly with a strong forward platform.
For the Lions, the mission is clear: complete a historic undefeated tour and silence the Sydney crowd. Andy Farrell’s squad depth has been tested and proven throughout, and the character shown in coming from behind in Melbourne will give them enormous belief heading into the final chapter of this series.
Sydney sets the stage for what promises to be another enthralling battle.
Check back in throughout the week for betting related updates
