The Lions and Wallabies - how they rated

How each player - Lions and Australia - rated in the third test.

Matt Perry: Was hardly called upon in attack but his defensive game proved predictably sound under pressure from the Wallabies. 7

Dafydd James: Received a late call-up when Austin Healey withdrew through a back injury and did not let the side down, getting back superbly on one occasion to deny Joe Roff a certain try. 7

Brian O’Driscoll: Tried a little too hard on times and was flattened by a dangerous Daniel Herbert high tackle, but displayed courage and commitment by the bucket-load. 7

Rob Henderson: Relished the physical exchanges, but made one glaring handling error under pressure and never regained his dazzling form of the first Test. 6

Jason Robinson: Scored a quality first-half try - his 10th of the tour - and yet again underlined his remarkable rise through the rugby union ranks through another competent contribution. 7

Jonny Wilkinson: Equalled the Lions record for most points in a Test match - 18 -and was a tower of strength in attack and defence, but missed three penalty attempts. 8

Matt Dawson: Relished a gritty, aggressive battle with opposite number George Gregan, stepping into the breach following Rob Howley’s rib injury, and doing it well. 7

Tom Smith: Had his best game of the tour, scrummaging well and showing great footballing skills to send Robinson over for his try. 8

Keith Wood: A colossal game in the loose, rampaging into the heart of Australia’s defence at any given opportunity, but will be concerned that the Lions lineout rarely functioned. 8

Phil Vickery: Struggled in the early scrums but got better as the game developed, while also completing another high tackle count. 7

Martin Johnson: After the euphoria of 1997 in South Africa, Johnson could not repeat a Test series triumph as Lions leader. Solid, rather than spectacular, display. 7

Danny Grewcock: Unable to exert his usual authority in the lineout but made some robust charges in the loose when the Lions attacked. 7

Martin Corry: Has had a tour to remember, despite today’s result, and gave everything in the Lions’ cause. Never gave up. 7

Neil Back: Was eclipsed by Wallabies openside George Smith for the second successive Test. Had his moments, but could not exert an influence he normally manages in England colours. 7

Scott Quinnell: Missed training for much of the build-up through a knee problem, but was forced off at half-time with hamstring trouble. Made some trademark bursts, but injury ensured it was a 40-minute contribution. 7

Australia - how they rated

Matt Burke: Celebrated his 50th Test cap with a match-winning performance, kicking 19 points and breaking Michael Lynagh’s Wallabies record for most points in a Test series against the Lions. 9

Andrew Walker: Australia tried to bring him into the game as much as possible and it was a competent performance from the ACT Brumbies wing. 7

Daniel Herbert: Scored two tries and proved a handful throughout for the Lions defence with his strong-running, but was rightly sin-binned for a high and dangerous tackle on Brian O’Driscoll. 8

Nathan Grey: The Lions were incensed that he escaped disciplinary action following an elbow-led tackle on Richard Hill during the second Test, but there was no nonsense today. 7

Joe Roff: A wonderfully creative player whose two tries in Melbourne turned the Test series on its head. Did not score today, but posed the Lions countless problems. 8

Elton Flatley: Called up for injured playmaker Stephen Larkham, the Queenslander recovered well from a crunching early Jonny Wilkinson tackle and looked an assured performer. 7

George Gregan: Snapped away at the heels of his pack all game. A world-class scrum-half whose worth to the Wallabies side is immeasurable. 8

Nick Stiles: Grew in confidence as the series progressed and now looks set for a big Tri-Nations campaign. 7

Michael Foley: An outstanding scrummager who also made an impact around the field today, delivering the scoring pass for Herbert’s second try. 8

Rod Moore: Blotted his copybook through some senseless raking off Lions flanker Neil Back in a ruck, but his scrummaging again held up well. 7

Justin Harrison: Had an superb debut in the second-row after being drafted in for the injured David Giffin. Can look forward to an immense future. 8

John Eales: Australia’s captain marvel collected yet another trophy, adding to the World Cup, Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations title of recent seasons, after leading from the front throughout. 8

Owen Finegan: Not as prominent as he was in Melbourne seven days ago, but still made some critical contributions at vital times. 7

George Smith: Named man of the match and his speed to the breakdown was frequently stunning. Not only does he arrive first, but he knows exactly what to do when he gets there. 9

Toutai Kefu: Strong-running number eight shone in the loose competent and assured contribution from the Queensland back-row man. 8