July 14 down the years
Wallabies snatch series from Lions
Scrum.com
Victorious Wallabies captain John Eales shakes hands with Martin Johnson, captain of the Lions, following their 29-23 win in the final test. Australia v British and Irish Lions, Third Test, Telstra Stadium, July 14 2001.
Martin Johnson's Lions lost the deciding Test in Sydney ©
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2001
The deciding third Test between the Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions went Australia's way. The sides tied on tries and conversions but Matt Burke's five penalties to three by Jonny Wilkinson left the hosts 29-23 winners at Sydney's Stadium Australia. In the build-up to the match, Lions dirt-tracker Austin Healey called Australian debutant Justin Harrison 'the plank' but the Leicester player's comments backfired as the lock played the game of his life and won a crucial late lineout to claim the Man of the Match award. It brought to an end an acrimonious tour for Graham Henry's men, who had done more than their fair share of back-biting and unhelpful public criticism of each other. Four years later Henry would coach his native All Blacks in their whitewash of the Lions.

1979
On Bastille Day, Jean-Pierre Rives's France displayed power, passion and panache scoring four tries in a 24-19 win against New Zealand in Auckland. France's star player was Alain Caussade who scored a try, a conversion and a drop goal.

1980
Future Australian flanker and most capped Wallaby forward of all time George Smith was born. Smith celebrated his 21st birthday when he played in the deciding Test against the Lions in 2001, which saw the Wallabies take the series 2-1. The following year he was the first player to win the John Eales Medal and he played in all seven matches at the 2003 World Cup as the Australians reached the final. He won the Super 14 with his franchise, the Brumbies, in 2004 and at the 2007 World Cup he became the 75th captain of his country when he skippered the side against Canada. He was also selected in the line-up in the Wallabies Team of the Decade. Early in 2010 Smith announced his retirement from Test rugby and subsequently signed for French side Toulon.

2008
London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith was confirmed as England's new attack coach. Smith, a former Australia and Ireland international, joined the management team led by Martin Johnson after the Rugby Football Union were able to negotiate his release. He would work alongside defence coach Mike Ford and forwards coach John Wells.

1956
In their bid to take a series off the Springboks for the first time, the All Blacks opened with a 10-6 win in Dunedin where wing Ron Jarden and lock Bonzo White each scored a try and Jarden converted two for the winners.

1928
The All Blacks got their tour of South Africa back on track with their first win for three weeks, beating Rhodesia 44-8 in Bulawayo.

1965
Two tries by Gert Brynard helped the Springboks coast to a 23-3 win at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, in their match against the New Zealand Juniors.

1971
England's Bob Hiller led the British & Irish Lions dirt-trackers for the first time in a 27-6 win against Wairarapa-Bush at Memorial Park. The Lions scored seven tries, including a brace each for Barry John and Alastair Biggar.

1953
The Wallabies wound up the Rhodesian leg of their tour of Southern Africa with a 31-11 win in Bulawayo. It was their best performance of a three-match rubber that ended 2-0 in favour of the Australians with one match drawn.

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