The Battle of Ballymore: Australia vs Lions, 1989 Second Test Highlights

The second Test between the Lions and the Wallabies on July 8, 1989, remains one of the most controversial in more than 120 years of touring. The Battle of Ballymore, as it was aptly christened by the Australian press, is widely regarded as one of the most bruising encounters in the game's history. Just one week earlier, the Lions were defeated 30-12 by a rampant Wallabies side. The Lions were second-best in almost every department, particularly up front. Outplayed and outmuscled, the Lions left Sydney licking their wounds as Australia scored four tries to none in a one-sided contest. Back-to-back defeats would have crushed the tourists’ hopes of a Series win, but Finlay Calder’s Lions arrived in Brisbane determined to make a statement, and they did just that.