British and Irish Lions vs First Nations & Pasifika XV LIVE!
The British and Irish Lions took on a First Nations and Pasifika XV in their next match of their tour of Australia, and they earned themselves a scrappy 24-19 victory at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. The tourists looked as though they would run away with proceedings in the early exchanges with scores from Jamie Osborne and Darcy Graham, but an error from the returning Blair Kinghorn allowed Tristan Reilly in to swing momentum in the hosts’ favour.
The Pasifika side put up a dogged resistance to the Lions’ early dominance, and they capitalised on their forward trajectory, as Tuaina Tualima powered over to equalise and have the scores level at the break.
Andy Farrell’s side, knowing full-well that a good performance could mean everything when it comes to making Saturday’s second Test squad, got back in front as Osborne scored his second, before Duhan Van der Merwe dotted down. It seemed as though they would cruise to victory, but some inaccurate kicking from Fin Smith kept the door ajar Pasifika, who kept coming. Rob Leota set up a grand stand finish with a try inside the last ten minutes, but the Lions clung on for a morale-bolstering win.
Lions vs Pasifika XV latest news
- Leota sets up grand stand finish
- Van der Merwe extends lead
- Osborne gets Lions back in front
- Ryan sent to the sin bin
- Tualima levels after FNP pressure
- Reilly runs in to halve deficit
- Graham flies over for second
- Osborne opens scoring
FT: Pasifika 19-24 Lions
12:53 , Oli GentFull time! That is that, and the Lions win... by the skin of their teeth.
They played some scintillating stuff at times, but their opponents raised their levels beyond belief. How well will some of these players have performed in their audition for this weekend’s second Test? That rests with Andy Farrell.
Pasifika 19-24 Lions
12:49 , Oli Gent79 mins: Last chance saloon for Pasifika. What do they have in the tank?
Pasifika 19-24 Lions
12:46 , Oli Gent76 mins: Sutherland and Ashman are on to try and see this out, but there is going to be a barrage of FNP pressure from here on in.
Pasifika 19-24 Lions
12:44 , Oli Gent74 mins: Marcus Smith is off the field with a head injury. Fin Smith is back on in his place.
Pasifika 19-24 Lions
12:43 , Oli GentTry! 72 mins: They’ve got it! Rob Leota is the one that dives over, and they’re within a score as the FNP cross the whitewash at the eighth time of asking. They were using their battering rams effectively, and they’re right back in it. Beale can’t convert, though.
Pasifika 14-24 Lions
12:41 , Oli Gent71 mins: FNP have got the territory that they’ve been craving as they look to set up a grand-stand finish. They’re not far away from the Lions’ tryline...
Pasifika 14-24 Lions
12:38 , Oli Gent67 mins: Fin Smith is taken off, and Marcus Smith is on at stand-off.
Pasifika 14-24 Lions
12:34 , Oli GentTry! 64 mins: There’s the try, and it’s Duhan Van der Merwe. This one will count. Smith and Farrell both do really well, as the inside-centre dummies and then feeds the Scot outside him. Smith stands over the conversion, but he just misses the near post.
Pasifika 14-19 Lions
12:33 , Oli Gent62 mins: Just under 20 minutes to go, and this one is on a knife edge. Do the FNP have anything left to give? Which Lions players will step up and show they deserve a place in the Test side?
Pasifika 14-19 Lions
12:29 , Oli Gent59 mins: Great take from Osborne under pressure with the high ball, but the Lions are still being converged on quickly by the FNP.
Pasifika 14-19 Lions
12:24 , Oli Gent55 mins: Jac Morgan has been replaced by Ben Earl in the back row. Clarkson and Brown are also on.
Pasifika 14-19 Lions
12:23 , Oli Gent54 mins: Stolen! The Lions building pressure on the FNP line, but Thomas latches onto the ball as Van der Flier looks to dive on it!
Pasifika 14-19 Lions
12:22 , Oli Gent53 mins: The Lions are pushing for that elusive score as they edge towards the Pasifika line.
Pasifika 14-19 Lions
12:19 , Oli GentNo try! 50 mins: It’s very messy, but Van der Flier touches down for what he thinks his second try of the series. Ringrose breaks free as White’s footballing skills are on display. It bobbles into the path of his compatriot, who dots down. The referee is checking, however... has Ringrose rolled it forwards? The TMO rules yes!
Pasifika 14-19 Lions
12:12 , Oli GentTry! 45 mins: Osborne gets his second, and the Lions are back in front. Slick passing from the Lions as Farrell clips it to Kinghorn, who then rips one wide right for Osborne. He darts towards the line, and dives over! Smith goes for the posts from the angle, but he screws wide.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
12:10 , Oli Gent43 mins: No advantage for the Lions as Tupou is penalised for not rolling away. A chance here from the corner.
Kick off!
12:07 , Oli Gent41 mins: We’re back.
HT: Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:51 , Oli GentThere’s the interval. Pasifika have done a brilliant job at building on that swing in momentum after the Reilly interception, and it’s been a very even game since then.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:48 , Oli Gent38 mins: Chance gone! It’s more frustration for the tourists as the rolling maul moves sideways and not forwards, as Tupou’s great work earns the knock-on.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:47 , Oli Gent37 mins: Penalty, Lions. There’s an early offside from the line-out, and the tourists have a chance to kick for the corner. White does so, and a score here would be a welcome bonus for the Lions going into half-time. Ryan is back on from the bin.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:46 , Oli Gent36 mins: Four minutes until the interval. Who will edge their noses in front?
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:44 , Oli Gent34 mins: Scrum penalty, Pasifika. The hosts’ pack did really well to force the Lions to start turning the scrum. There’s no advantage, and the FNP have a dangerous line-out inside the 22.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:42 , Oli Gent33 mins: Scrum, Pasifika. There’s a knock-on from a Lions body, but the scrum is collapsed as the referee gives both front rows a stern talking to.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:39 , Oli Gent29 mins: The Lions get the penalty, which White taps and goes with. Ringrose hits the accelerator in a tight area and makes a big hit, but the penalty goes the other way as Gamble battles well at the breakdown, as Bealham enters off his feet.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:36 , Oli Gent28 mins: The TMO is reviewing a clash under the high ball as Pollock and Beale collide, and then the Lions No8 is in a physical altercation with Uru, with both grabbing hair and pushing and pulling each other. No action is taken for either player, however.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:34 , Oli Gent26 mins: James Ryan was sent to the sin bin amidst all that ruckus for his early misdemeanour. The Lions down to 14.
Pasifika 14-14 Lions
11:31 , Oli Gent22 mins: There’s a bit of pressure from the FNP now as they have the momentum. A penalty coming as they approach the Lions line. One more big drive might just take them over.. and it’s there! A second score, and that was worked for and delivered! Great strength just short of the line, as Tualima shows superb leg strength to drive over! Beale adds another two, and we’re level!
Pasifika 7-14 Lions
11:26 , Oli Gent19 mins: That wasn’t in the script! Reilly’s night has got a whole lot better as the Lions get caught in their own half. They look to send a couple of long passes between the backs, and Kinghorn tries to force one towards the left. It’s intercepted by Reilly, and he can run in unopposed to score! Beale adds the extras.
Pasifika 0-14 Lions
11:24 , Oli Gent18 mins: A hard watch as Graham is in tears as he limps off. Let’s see how he fares for the remainder of the week ahead of the second Test. He’s got a jacket over his head. The despair is evident.
Pasifika 0-14 Lions
11:23 , Oli Gent17 mins: Reilly is back on from the sin bin, but it seems as though Graham’s race is run. Garry Ringrose is coming on, and it seems as though Osborne will shift to the wing.
Pasifika 0-14 Lions
11:19 , Oli Gent14 mins: There’s a bit of concern as Graham is down getting his ankle looked at after he found himself at the bottom of a ruck. He seems to be ok, and we continue.
Pasifika 0-14 Lions
11:17 , Oli GentTry! 11 mins: Darcy Graham has the second, diving over as he darts into the wide open space!
The hosts are giving the tourists too many easy options down the line. White and Smith are instrumental in the move, and the fly-half spins it out for Graham to run in. Smith adds the extras.
Pasifika 0-7 Lions
11:13 , Oli GentTry! 8 mins: The Lions are ahead, and it’s Jamie Osborne who opens the scoring. The officials are happy, and so is the outside centre. It’s chipped over the top delicately by Farrell, and his midfield partner is after it. He collects, and crashes over to score his first try for the Lions. The extras are added.
Pasifika 0-0 Lions
11:10 , Oli Gent6 mins: Yellow card! The threshold has been reached, the TMO adjudges, and Reilly is given his (temporary) marching orders!
Pasifika 0-0 Lions
11:09 , Oli Gent5 mins: Here’s a punch-up! The Lions stream down the right side again with a flowing move. Lovely play from Fin Smith before lovely link-play from Farrell and Osborne. Graham takes charge, but he gets shoved into touch. TMO is having a look at Reilly’s shoulder barge on Graham... did he make contact with the Lions wing’s head? The tourists are furious.
Pasifika 0-0 Lions
11:06 , Oli Gent3 mins: No try! The Lions sweep through the home side down the right as Kinghorn gets hands on the ball, and works it wider for Graham, and Van der Merwe overlaps. Graham is adjudged to have been dragged into touch before he offloads to his compatriot who runs in, but it won’t count.
Pasifika 0-0 Lions
11:05 , Oli Gent2 mins: Good start from the tourists as they win an early penalty from a maul and Cummings is impeded. White can kick for touch, but they’ve not done much with the resulting line-out.
Kick off!
11:02 , Oli GentWe are underway!
The players are out
10:56 , Oli Gent... and we are about to begin!
Who will earn a Test place?
10:49 , Oli GentOwen Farrell has eyes on a place in Saturday’s squad, and attention will be back on Blair Kinghorn as the full-back returns from injury.
Duhan Van der Merwe will also be hoping to run in some scores to earn a spot out wide, while Josh Van der Flier will want to stake his claim at openside.
ICYMI: The two team line-ups
10:30 , Oli GentLions XV: Kinghorn, Graham, Osborne, Farrell, Van der Merwe, F Smith, White, Schoeman, George, Bealham, Ryan, Cummings, Morgan, Van der Flier, Pollock.
Pasifika XV: Ieli, Paenga-Amosa, Tupou, Swain, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Gamble, Tualima, Thomas, Beale, Daugunu, Feliuai, Foketi, Reilly, Muirhead.
How to watch
10:25 , Oli GentTV channel: Live coverage of the First Test is available via Sky Sports, who have exclusive broadcasting rights to the Lions tour in the UK this summer.
Their broadcast starts at 10am BST on Tuesday morning on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Today's venue
10:20 , Oli GentToday’s game is being held at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, ahead of the second Test against the Wallabies at the MCG on Saturday.
The arena holds 53,343 , with a retractable roof and five AFL teams have played home games there.
Head-to-head record
10:10 , Oli GentHave the Lions ever faced a Pasifika XV before?
The short answer? No.
Pasifika line-up
10:00 , Oli GentConfirmed Pasifika XV: Ieli, Paenga-Amosa, Tupou, Swain, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Gamble, Tualima, Thomas, Beale, Daugunu, Feliuai, Foketi, Reilly, Muirhead.
Replacements: Asiata, Pearce, Doge, Vocevoce, Leota, Goddard, Debreczeni, McLeod
Lions line-up
09:45 , Oli GentConfirmed British and Irish Lions XV: Kinghorn, Graham, Osborne, Farrell, Van der Merwe, F Smith, White, Schoeman, George, Bealham, Ryan, Cummings, Morgan, Van der Flier, Pollock
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Clarkson, Brown, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Ringrose
Standard Sport prediction
09:30 , Oli GentIf ever the Lions were to spoil their perfect tour record, one would not expect them to do so against Pasifika.
With seven matches now under their belts, Farrell’s squad should now be playing their best rugby of the summer, and, even as they rotate into this exhibition outing, there should be no wobbles.
That is not to say Pasifika should be expected to roll over, but playing their first ever match in this group, they should not be expected to be quite as sharp as their opposition. Their plentiful international experience should carry them to a respectable scoreline, but to upset the Lions may be a step too far.
Lions to win by 12+ points
Pasifika XV team news
09:15 , Oli GentThe Lions will already have come across a fair few of the Pasifika squad to date on this tour as they played a variety of Super Rugby Pacific sides in warmup outings.
The Pasifika squad boasts considerable international experience, with its components combining for 278 caps.
Donning the proverbial captain’s armband is veteran back Kurtley Beale, who has returned from the hamstring injury which saw him ruled out for the Lions’ one-sided meeting with Western Force in June.
After Samu’s enforced removal, a back row of Charlie Gamble, Tuaina Taii Tualima, and Seru Uru has been given the nod.
On the bench is the 31-cap Wallaby Rob Leota, who completed 80 minutes as the Lions struggled past the Waratahs in their third tour outing.
Lions team news
09:00 , Oli GentThe Lions have rotated heavily for this outing, which comes just four days ahead of the second Australia Test.
Owen Farrell makes his first start of the tour, lining up at centre, while Fin Smith starts at fly-half with Scotland’s Ben White coming into the side too.
Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn will hope to force their way into contention for the Test side with strong displays.
In the pack, Jac Morgan and Henry Pollock get their chance to impress, and Jamie George starts after his late call-up to the squad.
Marcus Smith and Alex Mitchell, who came off the bench in the first Test on Saturday, are among those named as replacements.
How to watch
08:45 , Oli GentTV channel: Live coverage of the First Test is available via Sky Sports, who have exclusive broadcasting rights to the Lions tour in the UK this summer.
Their broadcast starts at 10am BST on Tuesday morning on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Hello and welcome!
08:30 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the Lions’ game against the First Nations and Pasifika XV.
The tourists continue their Australia campaign in Melbourne at the Marvel Stadium ahead of their second Test against the Wallabies this weekend.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 11am BST.
