Construction began on the Sydney Opera House in 1959, but due to persistent problems its grand opening did not take place until October 20, 1973 at a total cost, way over budget, of 102 million dollars.

The iconic building is situated on Bennelong Point, a promontory on the south side of the harbour just east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

Nessun dorma, translated as “Let no one sleep,” is a celebrated tenor aria from Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, an opera that has been performed in this iconic arena on many occasions.

It is sung by Calaf, an unknown prince, who expresses his resolve to win the heart of Princess Turandot. The aria is set against the backdrop of Turandot’s cruel decree that everyone in the kingdom must stay awake until she learns Calaf’s name, or they will all be executed. 

Last night in Sydney for the sea of Red that engulfed the capital of New South Wales, it was most definitely a case of Nessun Dorma as sleep was in very short supply as the final whistle didn’t blow until some ungodly hour.

Fortunately, the only executions that took place were of the try scoring variety as the 2025 British & Irish Lions ended their tour with a defeat, the pain of which of which was amply soothed by a 2-1 test series victory.

With the series already in the bag after victory in Melbourne last Saturday, the match might well have lurched into an anti-climactic contest.

But Australia had other ideas and with the masters of niggle Nic White and Will Skelton displaying their full array of shithousery it was a tough and tetchy test match played in appalling conditions which the Wallabies well and truly dominated.

It had rained non stop since Wednesday in Sydney, so much so that the lines on the pitch had to be repainted prior to kick off after being washed away by the pre match torrential downpours.

Australia dominated the first half building up a narrow 8-0 a narrow gap made much more valuable in the monsoon conditions.

The second half had only been underway for two minutes when the players were taken off the field with lightning strikes in the vicinity

The interruption made little difference to the balance of power. Australia looked sharper and hungrier for victory as the Lions line out began to creak.

Jorgensen’s 54th minute converted try took Australia to a 15-0 lead, and the Lions were struggling.

No race is more accustomed to constant rain than the Welsh, and as if to prove the point, Jac Morgan showed his precipitation mastery with a try seven minutes later that brought the Lions back into contention at 15-7.

The disjointed Lions having lost Itoje, Freeman and Ryan to head injuries and with Huw Jones switching to right wing couldn’t get enough accuracy and quality possession to bridge the gap any further. McDermott’s try with ten minutes to go made it 22-7 and sealed the victory.

Stuart consolation try in the 79th made the scoreboard look a little more respectable, but this was a worthy Wallabies win.

To think that Australia were theoretically 51 seconds away from a series win, if you take into account last week’s events, seems hard to comprehend. It emphasises the small margins that make up the difference between success and failure at the top end of elite sport.

It may have been Nessun Dorma last night, although I am sure there will plenty of shut-eye today on the long flight back home.