It wasn’t pretty at times, but the British and Irish Lions dug in to defeat a dogged First Nations and Pasifika XV 24-19 in Melbourne.
In their final non-Test match of their Australia campaign, Andy Farrell’s tourists had their mettle tested at Marvel Stadium, with the hosts putting in a heroic performance to please the raucous home support.
Farrell plumped for a second-string XV as he handed fringe players auditions for Saturday’s second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and some impressed, while others failed to step up.
Jamie Osborne was one that demonstrated his clinical edge and ball-carrying ability, while also showcasing his versatility.
The Irishman, fielded at outside-centre, bagged two of the tourists’ tries and was shifted to the right wing when Darcy Graham, who himself scored his first try for the Lions, was withdrawn in the first half with an ankle injury.
Osborne opened the scoring as he touched down having latched onto Owen Farrell’s clip over the top, and Graham dove over to make it two shortly after as the Lions threatened to run riot.
Returning full-back Blair Kinghorn, who had started superbly joining attacking moves and under the high ball, made an error as his pass was intercepted by Tristan Reilly, who, having just stepped back onto the pitch after an early sin-bin, ran in unopposed to turn the tide.
Momentum had well and truly swung when Seru Uru powered over to make it 14-14, and the two sides went in at the interval level in a shock to many.
The Lions emerged from the dressing room revitalised, and they regained their advantage through Osborne, who made the most of the green grass ahead of him to touch down and get the scoring going for the second half.
Duhan Van der Merwe seemed to have killed the encounter off with 15 minutes to play as he linked up nicely with Farrell and Fin Smith, but the latter’s wayward kicking late on left the door ajar for a Pasifika comeback.
The hosts, although spent, threw everything at the tourists, and they came within a score as Rob Leota crashed over the whitewash to make things interesting.
The Lions clung on, however, and they will face off against the Wallabies this weekend with their unbeaten record still intact.
As to which of these players has forced their way into Test reckoning, remains to be seen.
