British and Irish Lions Make History With Crushing Defeat of Australia

The British and Irish Lions secured a first series win in 16 years with a crushing 41-16 victory over Australia that saw the visitors score four tries and completely dominate with a mixture of power and precision.

It was a night to remember for the travelling Lions supporters who saw Alex Corbisiero, Jonny Sexton, George North and Jamie Roberts all crash over the Australian line in a crushing win in Sydney.

Some 35,000 Lions supporters filled the Olympic Stadium to watch a wonderful team performance that saw Leigh Halpenny once again star with the boot as he was named the player of the series.

"It's a pretty indescribable feeling. There was a lot of talk about selection in the week. I think we proved that despite all the talk the northern hemisphere is doing pretty well," said captain Alun Wyn Jones.

"We fronted up today and I think the scoreline reflected it and we represented the four countries with pride. We wanted to win the collisions and breakdowns. It was always going to come down to that today. They came back at us in the second half and we came back pretty well."

It was the perfect start for the Lions when Will Genia knocked on from kick-off. A free-kick was awarded at the scrum and Alun Wyn Jones was cut down just short but loose-head Alex Corbisiero supported well and crashed over from close range.

Leigh Halfpenny would confidently convert before the Wallabies were awarded a penalty but captain James Horwill decided to go for touch - a choose he would continue to make throughout the first half.

This time Australia would come up empty handed and just minutes later Halfpenny would extend the lead after kicking a penalty from all of 50 metres.

Australia would get a penalty from the restart as the Lions were called up for blockng and this time Christian Lealiifano would take the points to cut the deficit back to seven.

However, the Lions were dominating at the scrum and they were soon awarded another penalty which Halfpenny easily steered home.

Corbisiero and Richard Hibbard were dominating the scrum and they earned another penalty, Halfpenny once again confidently struck to extend the Lions lead to 13 after just 15 minutes.

Ben Alexander was then shown a yellow card after conceding another penalty from the scrum after 24 minutes and the Lions would move into a 19-3 lead thanks to the boot of Halfpenny.

Jonny Sexton would miss a drop goal attempt just after the half hour mark before

James O'Connor would crash over the line in the final seconds of the first half, showing wonderful feet to leave numerous Lions defenders for dead.

Lealiifano duly made the conversion and Australia gained some momentum as they headed in to the dressing room trailing by nine points.

The momentum continued to swing in the host's favour when Dan Lydiate was penalised at the ruck and just moments into the second half and Australia had once again reduced the lead thanks to Lealiifano.

The Lions' lead was then cut to just three after another successful penalty from the 25-year old after the Lions were caught offside from their own five-metre line.

Having seen their lead diminished it was important for the tourists to get the next score and when they were awarded a scrum in a central position only 30 metres from the Australian line it was another huge push and a penalty was awarded.

Halfpenny kept his cool to add another vital three points before wonderful hands from Halfpenny found Sexton who was clear to cruise home and fire a vital try which was once again converted by Halfpenny to hand the Lions a 13 point lead with 23 minutes remaining.

Halfpenny, one of the Lions outstanding players throughout the entire tour, would then come up with a moment of magic as he beat two players on the wing before handing off to his Welsh colleague George North who scored his second try of the series.

The Welsh full-back would miss his first kick of the night but the Lions would have 15 minutes to hold on with an 18 point advantage.

But far from going on the defensive, the Lions would continue to attack and run the right lines as Jamie Roberts sliced through the Australian defence to score a memorable try.

Halfpenny made it 41-16 and Warren Gatland's side would continue to push forward till the final moments before the final hooter sparked wil celebrations from all involved for the Lions.