Rugby fans dumping tickets for the Wallabies-Lions Test in Sydney

Rugby supporters are unloading discounted tickets for the Wallabies’ final Test against the British and Irish Lions, with Facebook and Gumtree flooded with unwanted tickets.

Rugby fans are dumping high-priced tickets for the Wallabies’ final Test against the British and Irish Lions with the series decided and game three in Sydney reduced to dead rubber status.

One Facebook marketplace seller is offering four platinum tickets at a discount of more than 50 per cent – claiming they were purchased for $649 each and now willing to accept $300 apiece.

On Gumtree as well, the site has been flooded with unwanted tickets, with prices varying from face value to significant savings on the original ask.

Fullback Hugo Keenan scores the match-winning try for the Lions against the Wallabies in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Another holder of platinum tickets is offering three for just $800 – suggesting a whopping reduction of almost 70 per cent on the initial sale price for top tier seats.

Elsewhere you can grab two members’ tickets for $500, a pair of gold tickets for $350 – reduced from more than $500 – and two platinum tickets with a face value of $649 each now going for half price.

While only limited tickets, primarily single seats, are still available on the Ticketek website for the Accord Stadium tour finale, sellers on social media are flogging multiple ticket bundles.

An industry insider suggested many may have bought tickets months or even a year ago hoping Sydney would host a series decider and they could cash in on a massive demand for tickets in the final week.

Lions skipper Maro Itoje celebrates the series win in Melbourne, a victory that has meant there is reduced enthusiasm for the dead rubber third match. Picture: Getty Images

“While scalping laws prevent people from selling for more than 10 per cent of a ticket’s face value, you’ve seen that abused in the past,” the source said.

“It seems odd that all these people are now deciding to sell in the shadows of the Test saying they just can’t go.

“The Wallabies having no chance and the Lions fans already in the throes of celebration has somewhat dulled the appeal and the demand. That shows in these prices on offer.”

The British and Irish Lions wrapped up the series last weekend in Melbourne with a 29-26 victory at the MCG. It followed their 27-19 first Test win in Brisbane.

Wallabies fullback Tom Wright scores during the second Test at the MCG

The third Test on Saturday night has had a controversial lead-in after Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt complained his team should have received a foul play penalty for a ruck incident seconds before the Lions scored their match and series-winning try in Melbourne.

The Aussie “whingeing” sparked outrage in the UK and Ireland and has even drawn criticism from the Royal Family.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt complained his team should have received a foul play penalty for a ruck incident seconds before the Lions scored their match- and series-winning try in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Former England Test centre Mike Tindall, who married into the family Windsor when he wed Princess Anne’s daughter Zara, hosts a podcast with another former England international James Haskell.

Asked if Schmidt was entitled to feel aggrieved, Tindall said “absolutely not”.

Haskell added: “The only bit of foul play and nonsense in that incident was the Australian player diving. That should have been red carded.”

Originally published as Rugby fans dumping tickets for the Wallabies-Lions Test in Sydney