Match report
Rob Kitson, as you’d expect, nails this report, praising the Lions and weaving in some cricket chat as the tourists produced the goods at the Adelaide Oval.
Rob’s been in great form this tour. It’s great to see the team match our man on the ground.
With that I’ll sign off. Hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks for writing in and I wish you all the best as we gear up for the Test next week.
Cowan-Dickie and Ringrose serious doubts for the tour
So two big stories from that Andy Farrell interview.
Luke Cowan-Dickie looks like he’s out of the series and Garry Ringrose will likely be out for the first Test.
Jamie George will almost certainly get a call-up as cover at hooker.
Jamie Osborne and even Owen Farrell should provide enough cover in midfield. Does this mean that they go for an all-Scotland midfield for the first Test, or can Jones play alongside Aki?
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Now some words from a happy coach:
I thought it was a good professional performance. When you play these types of games, all sorts of things can happen. We played a nice controlled game of rugby and never let them in the game.
We stayed at it. It was never going to be perfect. We kept going as a team and that’s the main thing.
It’s the collective. It showed that even on stuff like kick chase, how we worked so hard on defence, we created turnover ball. It was very pleasing.
We need to relax and enjoy this. We need to enjoy a bit of down time. It’s been a long 15 days. I’m really proud of everyone involved, not just the players. It’s been a tough old block.
We want people putting their hands up. This group will roll up together and will go after the Test together.
[Luke Cowan-Dickie] is good and back to being his normal self. It was unfortunate. It was a concussion. It looks like we’ll have to bring someone in but we’ll speak to the medics.
Garry Ringrose failed a concussion. Which is unfortunate for him. He’ll be back later in the series. Jamie [Osborne] coming in means we have cover.
And here’s Earl, speaking to Sky Sports:
“I think you could see to a man how much the jersey means to players.”
He credits the team, singling out Ben White who was just as impressive.
He also sings the praises of Pierre Schoeman and Owen Farrell: “Honestly it was like being back at home when he was in my ear shouting next to me.”
No wonder Ben Earl bagged the player of the match award:
14 carries, 57 metres made, 11 tackles.
Has he done enough for a Test spot?
Full time: AUNZ Invitation 0-48 British & Irish Lions
That was just about perfect from the Lions. The final move fizzles out and the 50 is missed, but no matter. By a distance that was their best performance of the tour. Every single player stood up. They looked cohesive, they were ruthless on defence with immense line speed, and on attack they were clinical. Superb. No wonder Andy Farrell has a broad smile.
Ben Earl gets man of the match but it could have gone to Jones, Morgan, Hansen or van der Merwe, who bagged a hat-trick.
Outstanding.
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80 min: Smith kicks that penalty out of touch on the 22. But the line-out throw isn’t straight. Morgan gathers the clearing kick and runs it back so the Lions do have one more chance to score. They’re back in the 22. Morgan has it agaib. My goodness, what a game he has had. It’ll be a real shame if he’s not involved next Saturday. Can they score 50 at the Adelaide Oval?
80 min: The Lions can’t make the move work and AUNZ come away with it. The spiral the ball down the line and towards the left tram. They’re past the rush defence but White (not playing scrum0half as Mitchell is on) makes a great recover tackle and forces the knock-on. They’re looking at a possible dangerous clear-out on Morgan earlier in the piece.
Yup, yellow card for Fusitu’a who dumped Morgan on his head.
78 min: Another penalty against AUNZ. This one is off the scrum inside the Lions half. Smith kicks it over halfway for a line-out. One more score will take them past the half century.
TRY! AUNZ 0-48 Lions (Pollock, 76)
He got it! Wow, that is some finish. Poor from AUNZ. Farrell’s grubber was initially fielded by Edmed who then played a wild pass to McLaughlin-Phillips who spilled it. Pollock never gave it up and chased hard before diving for the ball. He had no right to beat McLaughlin-Phillips but that’s exactly what he did. Smith scores the extras. That’s eight tries as Pollock celebrates by checking his own pulse. He’s a point of difference. He might rub some up the wrong way but there’s no denying he is blockbuster.
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76 min: Pollock thinks he’s scored! It came off a grubber from Farrell and a mess at the back from AUNZ. Edmed gathered the kick and passed to McLaughlin-Phillips who spilled it. Did Pollock get there?
74 min: The Lions inch their way forward with Hansen offering some rangy carries. The winger, with a torn jersey and looking like a Test animal, then unfurls a banana kick to pin AUNZ back in their own 22.
72 min: Finally we see a bit of spark from the fellas in gold and white and green. Fusitu’a shakes a tackle and they’re up and running. They’re into the Lions 22 and the ball goes right for Stevenson who lines up White in the tram. But the Lions scrumhalf makes a superb tackle and nudges the larger man out of touch. He then brushes himself off and, off the back of the subsequent line-out, launches a long kick to halfway. I’m not sure if White will get a Test on tour with Gibson-Park and Mitchell ahead of him, but he’s been fantastic tonight.
TRY! AUNZ 0-41 Lions (Kelleher, 69)
Swift from the big units! Kelleher shapes to throw a conventional line-out but he plays it short for Schoeman who gives it back to the hooker. There’s no stopping him there, not when it’s a 9 and 10 defending that tight channel. Who said front rowers can’t think fast? Smith doesn’t have his radar and lets another two points go by.
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69 min: Guess what folks. It’s another penalty against AUNZ. It’s come off the back of relentless pressure from the Lions on attack and defence. But it must be said the home side look ragged now. Smith kicks to touch. They go to the maul which Frizell collapses and so cops a penalty and a yellow card. Smith kicks to the corner again.
67 min: White and Farrell are connecting well. Hansen nudges a grubber for van der Merwe who wanrs a fourth. He can’t get there before it trickles out of touch inside AUNZ’s 22.
66 min: Another penalty, this one straight from the restart so Smith does what he’s been doing for the past 10 minutes and boots it downfield and out for a Lions throw.
TRY! AUNZ 0-36 Lions (van der Merwe, 65)
Duhan has a hat-trick! Again, it’s so simple. Line-out, maul, penalty advantage, front foot ball, Farrell on the charge before delaying the pass as he draws in the tackler, down the line, through the hands and the big winger has an easy run-in. Smith hits the far upright from the left tram.
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64 min: Another penalty against AUNZ. To be honest, they look like they can’t wait for the final whistle. Smith kicks to the 22 and they set the maul this time from the line-out. They get the penalty advantage. What can they do from here?
TRY! AUNZ 0-31 Lions (Cummings, 62)
Robust, accurate, ruthless! This is a team try of the highest order. Off the top of the line-out from the left inside the 22, Farrell hit the line hard and got over the line. Earl carried well and took it close. Then it was Cummings who was never going to be stopped from about two metres from the line. Brilliant. Earl is putting on a show.
Smith with the extras from right in front.
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60 min: The Lions win a penalty on the ground and Bealham roars in celebration. Think it was Morgan who got over the ball. The Lions have been brilliant at the breakdown. The first time you can say that on this tour. They get another penalty up field inside the AUNZ 22. Smith nudges to the corner. They’ll have the line-out about 10 metres from the line.
58 min: Things have become a little stop star for the past 10 minutes. There’s another spill of the pill in the air after Smith hoisted it high. AUNZ have the scrum feed but they’re stuck in their own half. Bealham, on in the front row, gives away a penalty so AUNZ launch it long and now have the line-out.
Beirne is off for Cummings in the second row.
56 min: Marcus Smith’s first real involvement is to launch a kick upfield. Edmed, who has played well, returns the favour. Lions will have the throw inside their own patch. Cowan-Dickie is shown on Sky and he’s smiling and walking. That is a relief. I thought he’d be in serious trouble but he looks OK.
55 min: Pollock involved again. When the game opens up he comes alive. This time he’s running down the left and passing for White but the ball drifts slightly forward.
54 min: Kelleher wins a turnover on the ground as AUNZ runners are read like an open book. Pollock has it in the left tram and chips and chases and catches. Can he get the legs turning? No, he’s wrapped up in contact but that was some slick play from the youngster who couldn’t quite find his support runner on the inside. Knock on and a scrum instead.
52 min: A bit of a lull after those subs. AUNZ have a scrum on the 10 metre line in their own half. This set piece is taking an age to set. “Let’s go please” says the ref, speaking for all of us.
49 min: Yet again the Lions defence comes out on top. AUNZ are playing one pass rugby. It’s not working. Sotutu has some strong carries but the men in gold and white get in a tangle and there’s an obstruction call.
Boos and applause ring out across the stadium as Owen Farrell joins the party! He’s on for Jones who was brilliant.
Marcus Smith also comes on for Fin Smith.
48 min: Sustained pressure from AUNZ after the line-out sees them win another penalty. Beirne is getting a talking to from the ref. Maybe another one will see a yellow card. AUNZ tap and go 10 metres out in front of the poles. They don’t quite have the cohesion despite their Test players in the ranks. Can they work something here?
47 min: AUNZ keep the ball and Pollock strays offside. So the hosts will get a line-out to their right just on the 22.
TRY! AUNZ 0-24 Lions (Tuipulotu, 44)
Too easy! They have the advantage and tap and go right in front. White has it and Tuipulotu hits the line to perfection. He steps and shimmies and scores under the poles. That cam from immense defence all the way back in their own half that forced the poor pass from AUNZ. Smith can’t miss the conversion from there. Wonderful from the Lions. They look like a proper Test team tonight.
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43 min: AUNZ try a move in midfield but the ball finds nothing but air. Jones pounces and boots ahead and suddenly three Lions players are tearing after the ball. Hansen is first to it but the bounce isn’t kind and he can’t take it in his stride. So he delays and recycles. They go down the line. Pollock and Smith carry. There’s a penalty advantage as the move fizzles so they come back within striking distance, five out right in front.
41 min: AUNZ get us going and Earl catches and runs and lights up the stadium with a step and a charge. He can’t stitch the offload but that was some burst. Scrum to the home side all the way on the right between the Lions’ 22 and halfway.
Righto, the players are back out. Another 40 minutes like the one that just passed and more than a few of these Lions will be playing that first Test next week.
Are you excited to see Owen Farrell in the second half?
Liam S. Murray certainly isn’t:
Agree with Stephen Holliday that Farrell Jr. divides opinion, but I don’t know anyone apart from Farrell Sr. who thinks Farrell Jr. deserves to be a Lion in 2025. Injured, out of form, and hasn’t played a Test match in two years. He shouldn’t be anywhere near this squad.
Well Liam, I believe he should have been included in the initial squad. I’m not saying he should play a Test. But the wider squad? Absolutely!
It’s only fair if we point out that AUNZ haven’t been particularly good.
“Its not a great showing by the “home” side. Lots of international star power and caps but they have offered little. Lions blitz-D is doing enough. Huw Jones and Macky likely test starters from opening 40,” says Gerry Keavney.
Tom Mayfield adds, “Good morning Daniel here in Virginia. Lots of internatials but look scratch side, maybe not yet match fit.. Lions looking well drilled too.”
All true. But more than one thing can be true at the same time and, as Tom and Gerry have said, AUNZ have struggled as a consequence of the Lions cohesion and aggression.
Half-time: AUNZ 0-17 Lions
Salakaia-Loto makes ground on the left and Samu almost connects an offload to support runners on the inside, but that’s the end of a near perfect half for the Lions.
That’s by far their best 40 minutes of the tour. Aggressive line speed, accurate tackling and some slick hands from the backs.
If we’re going on performance alone then surely a few of these lads have worked their way into the Test team.
40 min: Again! Solid defence from the Lions. Despite Salakaia-Loto brushing off Morgan, and despite Samu holding firm in the carry, the men in red hold firm and force the mistake as the ball bobbles out of touch around halfway. It’ll be a AUNZ throw, but they’re going nowhere, finding it impossible to breach the red wall.
38 min: Kelleher replaces Cowan-Dickie at hooker and has to scrum down immediately. AUNZ make some metres and get to the edge of the 22. It’s a little one dimensional and the Lions can size them up on defence. Fakatava delays and Pollock wraps up up. The ball is soon turned over by Earl and Keenan launches a big kick that almost finds a 50/22. Havili launches a big kick of his own that finds touch back in the Lions half. Again, great work on defence from the Lions. Something has happened to this group. A few players are putting in a serious shift tonight.
Cowan-Dickie finally leaves the field. His head is held firm and he’s strapped to a stretcher. His eyes are closed as he gets a round of applause. Let’s hope he’s OK and makes a speedy recovery. My guess, though, is that’s his tour done.
Some emails.
John Holmes also hates the AUNZ kit: “What an awful strip worn by Australia, shows a complete lack of imagination.”
Stephen Holliday has some thoughts on Farrell Jnr:
“The Farrell selection, and career really, does seem to cause massive divisions. I’d argue though that the divide sees anyone who has ever played rugby at the highest level in the pro camp and those who have not on the other. Sure, it’s a generalization, but it’s absurd that he doesn’t get any credit in some quarters.”
While we wait for Cowan-Dickie to get the treatment he needs let’s give the tourists some praise.
They’ve been cohesive on defence, connected on attack and just look like a well coached team. Van der Merwe and Jones have sparkled in the backline. Earl and Beirne have carried into traffic. White is controlling things from 9.
This has, by some distance, been their best half of the tour.
Cowan-Dickie is still prone on the floor.
37 min: Cowan-Dickie is down. He copped a head knock as he stooped lock to tackle the big lock Salakaia-Loto. He got his head in a poor position and might be in serious trouble here. He doesn’t look good. They’re not showing the replays nor are they showing Cowan-Dickie receiving treatment as a mobile stretcher is driven onto the park.
36 min: After some carries from AUNZ that didn[t go anywhere they kick. The Lions consolidate before White – who is having a controlled game – finds touch with a raking box kick.
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34 min: Van der Merwe juggles inside his own 22. He’s looked shaky fielding loose balls. He eventually gets it under control and hoofs the ball out inside his ow half.
32 min: That was so, so good! Jones is having a sensational game. AUNZ get a free kick at the scrum and kick ahead but van der Merwe is carrying ti back. Keenan knocks on as he tries to catch a ball around his shoelaces. They went for an elaborate play with Morgan acting as the lynchpin for Smith on a waraparound. It went quickly to Tuipulotu who couldn’t quite connect with Keenan. AUNZ get another scrum and they carry this time to halfway.
29 min: We have a scrum on the left inside Lions territory. Ben White will feed it with no blindside to work with. Van der Merwe, not for the first time, is standing close to first receiver. It goes to Jones who steps a tackler. Earl carries well. They’ve made about 30 metres in no time. Jones has it again and he’s up to the 22. White onto Hansen who wriggles free of a tackler and offloads for Cowan-Dickie with the line at his mercy. But the hooker spills it in the corner! Brilliant play from the tourists but that should have ended with a try.
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26 min: The Lions exit and then win the ball back thanks to Beirne stripping Koroibete in the tackle. Shortly after the skipper tries to kick upfield but skews it straight out around halfway. Van der Merwe then nails Blyth down the short side adter a line-out. AUNZ don’t want to mix it with the Lions midfield as the line speed has been impressive. Very good defensive sets so far.
25 min: Has Frizzell dotted down? No, he’s held up! Or has he had it pinched from him right between the poles. It came from a tap and go. I think Jones has stripped this from Frizzel but the Scottish centre was on his knees as he did so. No, the strip was clean, but they come back for a knock-on before that as a heavy hit from Schoeman forced the spill. The Lions will feed the scrum five from their own line. Solid defence there. They look like a team tonight.
24 min: There’a a penalty for jumping across the line-out so AUNZ get the chance to kick to the corner. They’ll have the throw inside the Lions 22. Another penalty for off-side. Edmed hoists a hopeful high kick with the advantage but that was a bit aimless. They come back for the penalty around five out from the line.
TRY! AUNZ 0-17 Lions (van der Merwe, 21)
The big man has a brace! So slick from the Lions. Tap and go, they win the collision and continue to crunch the gainline as they snake to the right. Then they go to the left after sucking in defenders. With front foot ball Tuipolotu holds his pass for Smith who then spirals it to his left. Simple passing finds Duhan who strolls over in the corner. Smith can’t curl in the conversion from the left tram.
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19 min: Pollock is held up over the line! Excellent from the Lions. Off the line-out they went through the hands. Some lovely touches. Duhan in midfield contributing. Keenan to Hansen who steps from the right wing and makes space before unfurling an offload to keep it going. They’re five out and go back towards the left tram where Pollock collects and makes a dart for the corner. But he can’t dot down. It’s OK, they have the penalty advantage and will tap and go within touching distance.
17 min: AUNZ back on the ball. A chip ahead almost finds a man in gold and white but it’s the Lions who come away with it. Jones gathers and runs upfield, he kicks ahead, it bounces in the 22 and Edmed has to mop up. He’s forced past his own poles and kicks while peddling backwards. That’s a mighty fine touch finder from the fly-half. Relentless pressure from the Lions who will have the line-out on the 22 towards the left. No they won’t actually, that kick took a Lions hand on the way out. AUNZ get the line-out and they clear further upfield.
14 min: Better from the home side who keep hold of the ball for a sustained period. Samu got things going by hammering a ruck and Edmed had a dart on Smith. 10 on 10 violence. It’s shifted wide to the right where Laumape has it. Samu again on the ball. They’re into the 22. 10 phases. They lose patience and a cross-field kick looking for Koroibete on the left wing is overcooked and Hansen marks. He then tries to kick upfield into space but skews it out of touch.
12 min: Van der Merwe has put his team under pressure. Or has he. A kick to the corner was destined for touch but the winger slid in and tried to knock it back infield. He got away with it as the ball had indeed gone out before. Lucky as that could have ended badly. The Lions secure the ball from the throw and Smith clears wit a kick past between the 22 and halfway.
TRY! AUNZ 0-12 Lions (White, 11)
And another! Sharp from White around the fringe who picked the ball up at the back of a ruck, spotted the gap and sniped his way through to slide under the poles. Relentless pressure from the Lions who flooded forward following a line-out and a penalty advantage. Really swift breakdown work. The simple conversion is made from right in front.
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10 min: Tuipulotu is on the charge again. Keenan is busy too. He’s having a good game. A penalty on the ground gives Smith the opportunity to kick to the 22 on the right….
9 min: White clears to halfway after the restart. The scrum-half has been impressive off the boot so far. The Lions are winning the kick battle.
TRY! AUNZ 0-5 Lions (van der Merwe, 7)
In a flash the try machine bags another! It came off the back of David Havili skewing a kick straight out of touch. Keenan took the throw quickly and some quick hands from the backs unleased Duhan who bolted up the left tram and scored in the corner. Fin Smith couldn’t curl his conversion back through the sticks.
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4 min: AUNZ clear from their scrum and Keenan gathers. The fullback lifts a high kick that is secured so the Lions are on the attack. They’re working it down the right then go back towards the middle. Into the 22. All the way across to the left tram where the ball bobbles out for a line-out. They’re making progress but it’s not quite clicking. After another clearance kick from AUNZ the Lions come again. An up and under goes too long and it’s an easy mark for fly-half Tane Edmed. He hoofs it to halfway where the tourists will have the throw. A little stodgy so far.
2 min: A solid scrum has Tuipulotu on the front foot. He busts over the gainline. So does Beirne. It goes left to van der Merwe in the right tram who steps infield. It’s tidy until there’s a spill. AUNZ with the scrum inside their own 22 on their right.
1 min: The Lions kick off and AUNZ go through the hands in their 22. A big hit from Morgan forces a knock on so the tourists will have the scrum feed on the 22 with a short blindside down the right.
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Just a few minutes to go so time enough for me to lambast the AUNZ kit.
God I hate it. It’s a four horizontal lines, with gold at the top followed by white, dark green and black at the bottom of the shirt.
With so much history and heritage, and rich indigenous art and culture to draw on, this feels like a missed opportunity to create something special. I hate it I hate it I hate it.
Right, that’s off my chest. The players are on the pitch.
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Has there ever been a more divisive player than Owen Farrell?
Our first email of the morning, from Geoff Wignall, disagrees with me on his Farrell Jnr’s inclusion in the group. I bet if we asked 100 Lions fans 50 would be on my side and 50 would be on Geoff’s:
Good morning Daniel,
I’d beg to differ over Farrell jnr.’s right to be in the squad, not least because of George Ford’s superb form of recent months; but what really interests me about today’s team is how much more pace this lineup has compared with the last match.
This time out we’ll be seeing the three quickest backrowers together (and I agree fully that Morgan must be the test 7), along with the fastest centre in Jones and VDM might not be lightning but he has significantly more gas than Lowe.
I’m old-fashioned enough to believe in the need for speed at test level, in both mind and body.
Maybe we’ll get to see quick ball, well used.
Sam Warburton again. I could listen to him talk rugby all day.
Here’s his take for Sky Sports on Hugo Keenan:
Hugo Keenan has had a bit of a tricky start to the tour. So I think the Lions are desperate for him to play today, put in a good performance, and then they’ll be okay at 15.
If he picks up a knock today then it’s going to be interesting. That 15 shirt could then be open for someone like a Marcus Smith for that first Test or maybe they might do some shuffling around.
I think they’ll be keeping their fingers crossed that Keenan stays fit because he’s the only out and out 15 that’s left in the squad.
Rob Kitson is in Adelaide. Lucky him.
Our main man picks out five key selection posers for Andy Farrell.
The one I’m most interested in is the number 7 jersey. For my money Jac Morgan HAS to start. I’d then have Either Henry Pollock or Josh van der Flier on the bench. Sorry Tom Curry, you’re not in my team.
If you’re on the same page as Sam Warburton you’re probably on the right page.
The former Lions skipper reckons Owen Farrell’s inclusion is a no-brainer. I agree and that makes me feel safe.
I understand where everyone is coming from because Owen Farrell hasn’t played international rugby for a couple of years. But having played with him, anyone who’s been in the room with him is like: ‘That guy is someone you need.’
That talent, skill doesn’t go. He’s still been playing top flight rugby, it’s not like he’s just suddenly wilted away. I think it’s the right call.
I understand why people might have thought there should have been a like for like change… Having his expertise, his skills, his versatility in the group is a no brainer.
Ugo Monye has identified a few reasons why the Lions have misfired so far.
It’s a long list.
The breakdown, the pressure of selection, not starting with the requisite vim and vigour. Andy Farrell has problems to solve before the first Test, says the former England and Lions winger:
In other news, WALES WON A GAME!
Before we fully turn our attention to the Lions, why not tuck into some Aussie chat.
The big story, indeed, one of the biggest rugby stories of the last few years, is the return of James O’Connor.
The fly-half was an "eleventh-hour call”, as Jack Snape calls it, after the neck injury to first-choice 10 Noah Lolesio.
The former Reds No 10 last played for the Wallabies in 2022, but helped the Crusaders to a Super Rugby Pacific title this year in a role coming off the bench. It’ll be quite something of 35-year-old plays a part over this series.
Angus Fontaine is backing him to come good:
Team news
Owen Farrell is a Lion once more. If you’re asking me he should have been included in the initial squad. I get the arguments that he’s not playing for England, that he’s not been in red hot form in France, that some might rankle that his dad is the coach. But he’s a Test animal and just gets what it means to be a Lion.
Will he produce the goods tonight to earn a spot in the Test team?
Keep an eye on the Scottish duo in midfield. Huw Jones at 13 and Sione Tuipulotu at 12 get to showcase why so many regard them as the best centre pair in the world.
Jac Morgan starts at 7 – as he should for the Test team – alongside Ben Earl and Henry Pollock in the back row. Expect fireworks.
Thanks to a couple of injuries Hugo Keenan has a run at the 15 jersey with Marcus Smith seemingly inked on as an impact player off the bench. Will the Irishman grab his opportunity?
Plenty to ponder.
British and Irish Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan; 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Henry Pollock, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 James Ryan, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Owen Farrell
Les Kiss will take charge of the Wallabies in 2026, but now he’s leading the AUNZ side with 17 internationals.
Many believe that Marika Koroibete should be playing for Australia. He’ll no doubt be a menace on the wing here.
Shannon Frizell will test the Lions at the breakdown while Reds players Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Jock Campbell will also get another crack at the tourists.
AUNZ Invitational XV: 15 Shaun Stevenson; 14 AJ Lam, 13 Ngani Laumape, 12 David Havili (cc), 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (cc), 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 George Dyer, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Jock Campbell
Preamble
One last dress rehearsal. One last chance for some players to impress. One last chance for Andy Farrell to fine tune some combinations, to get a sense of who is in and who is out, to settle on 23 men worthy of taking part in the first Test next week.
The Lions have yet to fully impress. Last week, in 36-24 win over the Brumbies, a team billed as a Test side blew hot and cold, just as the men in red have done all tour. There were glimpses of some cohesion but the breakdown remained a mess while multiple attacks fizzled to nothing. Can they sort things out tonight?
This time they take on a combined Australia and New Zealand side with Owen Farrell on the bench. There’s an all-Scottish midfield and a dynamic back row to keep an eye on (more on the team in a bit).
Forget the result. Tonight is not about that. Tonight is about doing enough across the park to bag a place against the Wallabies.
Kick off at 11 am BST/7:30 pm in Adelaide.
Teams and further updates to come.
I’d love to hear from you. Send any thoughts. questions or anecdotes my way via email.
