Australia vs British & Irish Lions Prediction: Wallabies to go close again

Hugo Keenan's late try in Melbourne may have robbed us of a decisive third Test, but, however you read the rules, denying it would have also taken away one of the great British & Irish Lions moments. The series may not be done, but after looking beleaguered in Brisbane, Australia were mighty for the first hour in Melbourne but failed to protect a 23-5 lead, losing 29-26.

There were tantrums and tears, but the Wallabies proved a point, and, after improving so much last Saturday, the Lions will need to be just as good in Sydney on Saturday (11:00 BST, Sky Sports Action). Below are my Australia vs British & Irish Lions predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds.

Team News

Influential Australia flanker Rob Valetini doesn't make the third Test. Valetini missed the opening match with a calf issue and, after managing 40 minutes last week, Joe Schmidt is believed to be protecting him ahead of the Rugby Championship.

Tom Hooper takes his role on the side of the scrum, while Taniela Tupou replaces the injured Allan Alaalatoa at tighthead prop.

There are two changes to the backs as Nic White, who recently announced his retirement from international rugby, starts at scrum-half in his 73rd and final cap, and Dylan Pietsch replaces the injured Harry Potter on the left wing.

Rugby Union Odds

For the Lions, lock James Ryan is a straight swap for Ollie Chessum, who returns to the bench, and Blair Kinghorn wears the number 11 jersey in place of James Lowe.

Andy Farrell has opted for a six-two split on the bench with both Jac Morgan and Ben Earl selected as back-row cover, although Earl could feature as an auxiliary centre.

Australia vs British & Irish Lions Odds

Australia are 11/4 to win the match and make the series 2-1. The Lions are 2/7, or a 77.8% chance, to complete a clean sweep, while a tie, as was the case in the tourists' final Test against New Zealand in 2017, is available at 20/1.

Australia +8 @ 21/20

Australia's incredible improvement between Tests one and two makes them dangerous, and there is every reason to think they are going to be even better in Sydney.

Schmidt will expect another response after what he described as a "gut-wrenching" defeat in Melbourne and will be demanding his players prove themselves amid talk of Australia's place on the Lions' rota being in jeopardy.

The tourists remain favourites to win on Saturday, with another victory by 1-12 points appealing.

However, Australia are an attractive underdog and having finished inside the handicap in both matches, going beyond their +9 three-way mark and backing them with a start on the punter's side of evens could be fruitful.

Dan Sheehan anytime scorer @ 5/4

Undoubtedly the premier hooker in world rugby, Dan Sheehan has grabbed tries in both Tests, holding his width to score on the fringe in Brisbane, before diving over after a quick tap in Melbourne.

Fresh from scoring five tries for the second Six Nations on the spin, Sheehan remains a good price to score a third try in as many Tests in Sydney.

The Irishman's the pick, but it might also be worth checking out the 2/1 on Huw Jones.

The centre had a score chalked off in the first Test before initially losing his place in the side for the MCG, only for Garry Ringrose to step down.

Jones responded by powering over for a try from close range, displaying his all-around game, and he starts again on Saturday.

Finally, few would have backed Tom Curry to score a Test try. There were even pre-series doubts over his place in the side, but he has excelled and scored in both matches - he is 4/1 to dot down again.

Offers

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