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Australia edge Lions by single point in thriller
Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Wallabies dives to score a try during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Jonathan Sexton of the Lions charges upfield during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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A magnificent curling conversion from Christian Lealiifano gave Australia a 16-15 win to level the Lions Test series at 1-1.
Adam Ashley-Cooper's 76th minute sucker-punch broke the Lions hearts, with Leigh Halfpenny's injury-time penalty attempt dropping short of the posts.
It means that the Test series will go down to the wire in Sydney next weekend - the final chapter in an enthralling, brutal tour that has left the nerves of both sets of supporters in shreds.
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Israel Folau of the Wallabies is tackled during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Kurtley Beale of the Wallabies catches the ball as Jonathan Davies challenges during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Man of the match: Hard to look past the Lions captain. Sam Warburton was initially a doubt to start in the Test series, let alone lead the Lions, but his performance in Melbourne regardless of how the result turned out was always going to go down in history. His loss to injury in the 67th minute was a cruel blow.
Moment of the match: The composure of Christian Leali'ifano to curl in that conversion spoke volumes of the young man. An incredibly assured performance.
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Will Genia of the Wallabies passes the ball during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Ben Mowen of the Wallabies stretches for a lineout during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Wallabies down Lions 16-15 in second Test to set up series decider
Dan Lydiate of the Lions takes on Christian Leali'fano during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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A BOLD captain's call and a nerveless conversion by a second-game "debutant" saw the Wallabies snatch a thrilling victory over the Lions in Melbourne.
Rookie Wallaby Christian Lealiifano went from out-cold in Brisbane to ice-cold last night when he slotted a 76th minute goal from near the sideline, which lifted the Wallabies to a 16-15 win and kept the Test series alive heading to Sydney.
The kick from Lealiifano, who was knocked out in the opening minute in the first Test, came after the Wallabies clawed their way back in a mistake-riddled performance to score the game's only try through centre Adam Ashley-Cooper with just four minutes left.
Trailing 15-9 and with the Lions sensing their first series triumph since 1997 was in hand, Wallabies skipper James Horwill turned down a kickable penalty with nine minutes left to push for a winning try with a scrum on the red line.
Putting aside a mountain of errors, the Wallabies managed to hold on to the ball long enough for under-siege five-eighth James O'Connor to put Ashley-Cooper through a gap and light up the record 56,771 crowd.
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George North of the Lions carries Israel Folau of the Wallabies during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Lions winger George North summed up the physical effort of the tourists when being tackled by his opposite number Israel Folau on the hour mark, hoisting the former rugby league international into the air and running forwards with him on his shoulder in an incredible moment that will go down in Lions folklore.
George North of the Lions carries Israel Folau of the Wallabies during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Sam Warburton of the Lions catches the ball from a line out during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Leigh Halfpenny (L) of the Lions looks on after attempting to kick a penalty as James Horwill and Benn Robinson celebrate victory during game two of the International Test Series between the Australian Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
(June 28, 2013 - Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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next test:
Saturday 6th July
British & Irish Lions v Australia
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
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