Hugo Keenan's candid omission over series-winning try

Hugo Keenan admits that he will savour his “surreal” last-gasp series-clinching try for the rest of his life after the British & Irish Lions beat the Wallabies 29-26 in Melbourne.

The Ireland and Leinster full-back, who missed the start of the tour through injury and then his Lions debut through illness, wrote himself into the history books after the Lions came back from 23-5 down in the first half.

Keenan’s try needed to survive a dramatic TMO check for an illegal clearout by Jac Morgan before sparking while scenes, and he said it’s something he will never forget.

“You don’t really think of these things with my try scoring record as well. I was probably the least likely to get it on the team, but I’m absolutely delighted.

“It was off the back of some people working incredibly hard, it was a pretty cool moment and one I’ll savour now,” Keenan told Sky Sports.

Keenan, who was disappointed with the team’s performance, pointed out that the last-gasp winner was down to pure grit and determination.

“We knew we had it in us, and at half-time, we had clawed it back from 23-5, and Faz still believed in us. The players changed the momentum of the game.

“We knew we still hadn’t performed in that first half, and it probably wasn’t the performance we wanted in the second half either, but it definitely was the character, the grit.

“And it was the determination of how many phases in that last set of plays. Lads stepping up with some unbelievable moments. The Lions is a unique team and situation to be in.

“You come together and you are supposed to be playing the three biggest games of your life with a five-week build-up to it, with two games a week over four weeks leading into it.

“It’s pretty difficult, but it’s where you want to be, it’s something really unique and special. The 40-odd players are really lucky to be here,” he added.