The British and Irish Lions stuttered to an unconvincing 21-10 victory over a dogged New South Wales Waratahs side, taking a step backwards with an error-prone performance on the third leg of their tour of Australia.
Centre Huw Jones crossed twice in the first half and Alex Mitchell added another try early in the second but the Lions were held scoreless for the final 26 minutes of the match on a frustrating night that saw few press their Test cases.
The Waratahs, roared on by the majority of a crowd of 40,568, scored tries through Darby Lancaster and Ethan Dobbins and trailed by only four points early in the second half. The Super Rugby side showed the Wallabies the way for the three-test series in late July and August with an uncompromising physicality all over the park that knocked the Lions off their stride.
Follow all of the latest from Sydney with our live blog below:
Waratahs vs Lions live
- The Lions secure sloppy win over Waratahs
- Lions are unbeaten since arriving in Australia but could face tougher test
- TRY! Waratahs 0-7 LIONS (Huw Jones, 12 minutes)
- TRY! Waratahs 0-14 LIONS (Huw Jones, 33 minutes)
- TRY! WARATAHS 5-14 Lions (Darby Lancaster, 35 minutes)
- TRY! WARATAHS 10-14 Lions (Ethan Dobbins, 42 minutes)
- TRY! Waratahs 10-21 LIONS (Alex Mitchell, 55 minutes)
- FT: Waratahs 10-21 Lions
Error-strewn British and Irish Lions labour to victory over Waratahs
13:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleOwen Farrell watched from the stands as the British and Irish Lions laboured to a 21-10 victory over New South Wales Waratahs in what was comfortably their worst performance since arriving in Australia.
A fortnight out from the first Test against the Wallabies and the Lions struggled to put away a side that finished eighth in the Super Rugby table and had lost five of their last six matches.
Even the arrival of a heavyweight bench could not provide the lift Andy Farrell’s men needed at Allianz Stadium and a dismal second-half made for grim viewing with Alex Mitchell’s 55th-minute try at least providing some breathing space.
Error-strewn British and Irish Lions labour to victory over Waratahs
FT: Waratahs 10-21 Lions
13:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleA pretty honest assessment from Andy Farrell, as one would expect from the Lions head coach. Plenty to review on the flight to Canberra tomorrow.
Andy Farrell speaks to Sky Sports
13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle“I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied. You have to celebrate every win but with the amount of territory and possession we had, we had so many dropped balls - to say we left a few out there would be an understatement.
“It’s a good learnning for us, a different type of game with it being close and under pressure. We didn’t come out of the blocks hard enough and we need to address that. The ground was wet for some reason, they played hard at the breakdown and with good linespeed and sometimes we overplayed. There are some good learnings either way.
“We obviously have to state the obvious - the Waratahs have been waiting a long time for this chance and we have to be ready for that. The Brumbies are a great side, so we know what we are in for there. Owen Farrell probably won’t be in the 23 because of the jet lag and the protocols, it normally takes a bit longer.”
And here's captain Tadhg Beirne, wearing a frown
13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle“It probably wasn’t the step forward we were looking for,” Beirne admits to Sky Sports. “We took a step up in terms of our scrum and our line out but it’s a bit frustrating to not be as clinical as we wanted to be tonight.
“They were just individual errors. I dropped a couple of balls myself. They are easy fixes - on another day we catch all of those, but that’s the frustrating part.”
Lions scrum half Alex Mitchell speaks to Sky Sports
13:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle“It was a bit of a scrappy game, we struggled at the breakdown and in the air. Credit to the Tahs, they were quality today and made everything a fight.
“I think we just struggled with a bit of a greasy ball. The errors and discipline let them back into the game. It makes a game out of it. They’ve got some quality individuals and their jackal threat across the back row made by job really tough.
“As half-backs, we needed a bit more control - we were a bit loose with the ball. We got a bit of that but errors kept them in the game. We need to go again. Sydney has been amazing so far and I’m loving the tour, everyone’s been really nice.”
FT: Waratahs 10-21 Lions
13:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleCredit, though, must go to the Waratahs, who made that a real scrap and really did stay in the fight. Very good stuff from Charlie Gamble, Fergus-Lee Warner (mostly) and the rest of their pack, standing up to the Lions physically despite their scrum-time inferiority,
FT: Waratahs 10-21 Lions
12:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleNot the outing that Andy Farrell will have wanted from his side - though might that have clarified a few things with the Tests drawing near? It’s been a good couple of hours, you’d say, for those not involved, while the lack of direction and grasping of the contest perhaps underscored part of the reason why Owen Farrell is now on tour. Plenty to ponder, though, for the tourists as they prepare for the Brumbies on Wednesday, when we might well see a few combinations that will carry into the first Test in a fortnight.
FULL TIME: Waratahs 10-21 Lions
12:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 82 minutes
12:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleDuhan van der Merwe is lumberjacked by the touchline and the ball trundles into touch out of the ruck. That’ll do it - the end of a night that the Lions will probably hope to forget, even if victory is theirs.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 81 minutes
12:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne last chance for the British and Irish Lions to find something to savour out of the Sydney slop with the Waratahs knocking on having tried to go the length in minute 80. Andy Farrell, spectacles on, furiously clicked his multi-coloured pen as he jots down a note.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 80 minutes
12:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell, if that doesn’t sum it up - Lions captain Tadhg Beirne lets a pass hit him in his chest and takes a tonking as he drops it.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 78 minutes
12:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe are now probably past the point of the Waratahs snatching victory. This really hasn’t been great from their illustrious opponents, though - remember the Super Rugby Pacific side are missing a fair few Wallabies.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 77 minutes
12:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleGod, bits of this really have been wretched from the Lions - Marcus Smith fails to find touch with his punted penalty, skewing it dead.
No try! Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 76 minutes
12:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleAha - just as the Waratahs had been denied by a lifter’s action in the first half, so the Lions are here. Ben Earl had slid in front of his hoisted teammate, preventing initial access to the ball-carrier as the maul was formed - perhaps pernickety, some will feel, but it is a clear penalty in the laws.
The try tally remains at three for Andy Farrell’s men with timing running short to add to it.
Try? Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 76 minutes
12:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lions kick to the corner and maul their way closer and closer. Down it all comes in a great pile - referee Paul Williams thinks he has seen a grounding but wants to make certain? Ben White, finally on at scrum half, was amongst things but Ellis Genge looks to be the scorer, if indeed it has been scored...
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 74 minutes
12:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleCharlie Gamble rolls the dice again on a breakdown contest - and his luck’s in, another penalty his way as he limpets over the ball. The openside has been rather excellent.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 72 minutes
12:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a good job their scrum has gone so well. Tadhg Furlong looks to be working up to speed after a slow start to the tour, though his angle might have prompted questions from other officials.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 71 minutes
12:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleSound the klaxon - a Lions knock-on. It really feels like they’ve snatched at their chances tonight, 14 handling errors now.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 69 minutes
12:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleLovely stuff from a brace of Englishman: Ben Earl batters and bursts past three Waratahs in quick succession to deliver momentum, before Marcus Smith paints a beautiful rainbow to send Duhan van der Merwe into space. But the Lions just haven’t resourced rucks well enough tonight - Darby Lancaster gets over the ball and earns a penalty with Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Furlong late arrivals as the cleanout crew. That detail needs to be much, much better if they are going to find their flow.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 67 minutes
12:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleStill no Ben White, slightly strangely, the scrum half still awaiting a first outing in a Lions shirt off the bench after being called in following Tomos Williams’s injury last week. Alex Mitchell has had a bright enough night around the fringes but his kicking game probably hasn’t quite been where he would want it to be.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 66 minutes
12:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleSadly, however, for the hosts, the scrum has been shaking all night. Ellis Genge folds Daniel Botha to earn a penalty.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 65 minutes
12:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleA moment of misfortune for the Waratahs, Huw Jones seemingly slapping the ball down as Charlie Gamble offloads but a knock-on given against the home team.
Hang on, it seems the TMO has finally intervened...referee Paul Williams corrects his call and it will be a scrum for the Tahs.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 62 minutes
12:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was at this point in their two outings in Australia so far that the Lions really started to move up through the gears, but the Waratahs are scrambling superbly. Mack Hansen eats up metres down the right touchline but is then isolated; Paul Williams whistles sharply to award the hosts a penalty.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 61 minutes
12:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleMarcus Smith is on the park at fly half and launches one of his trademark crossfield kicks...though the Lions’ attacking adventures are halted as Duhan van der Merwe had been in touch earlier in the movement on the opposite touchline.
Jac Morgan has also been introduced; Josh van der Flier takes leave.
NO TRY! Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 60 minutes
12:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn untimely loss of grip from Ellis Genge! The prop looked to have scored the British and Irish Lions’ fourth after hitting a good angle on the shoulder of Alex Mitchell, but the Englishman loses control of the ball as he contorts his limbs to ground, and a try given on the field is soon chalked off after a review of the footage.
Waratahs 10-21 Lions, 58 minutes
12:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleAustralia really do have some real depth on the openside. Charlie Gamble has been excellent tonight and secures another breakdown penalty with a perfectly-timed jackal.
That’s not hugely helpful, though - the penalty is curiously taken quickly and fails to find touch, before Alex Mitchell flips the field with a superb 50/22.
TRY! Waratahs 10-21 LIONS (Alex Mitchell, 55 minutes)
12:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat should steady the stomachs of the Lions - sharp stuff from Alex Mitchell and a simple score.
The Lions suck the bodies in with the maul and then Fin Smith drags more out to the blindside with a darting switch of direction. Mitchell follows his fly half but doesn’t give him the ball, dummying and finding the space himself to snare a try. Smith converts.
Waratahs 10-14 Lions, 53 minutes
12:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat a peculiar passage of play! Jack Bowen has a total brainfart, starting his run to kick after a free kick is given at the scrum and then tossing it to Taniela Tupou, who slices a rare punt into touch. Of course, Bowen never tapped it, `so it will be a Lions scrum.
And Ellis Genge immediately gets in to Tupou, reigniting their rivalry on England’s tour of Australia in 2022. Genge draws a scrum penalty which Fin Smith belts into the corner.
Waratahs 10-14 Lions, 52 minutes
12:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleA limping Blair Kinghorn isn’t what Andy Farrell will want to see having just removed Hugo Keenan. Kinghorn has gone to full-back with Van der Merwe on.
Dan Sheehan makes an immediate impact with a battering ram counter-ruck, though it isn’t long before the tourists cough up the ball again. Kinghorn appears to be fine for now.
Waratahs 10-14 Lions, 51 minutes
12:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother curious kick! The Lions get to the outside and Mack Hansen surely has to step inside off his right boot between the bodies rushing across...but for some reason the wing tries to kick ahead for himself, allowing the Waratahs to cover!
Here are some changes. Off go Pierre Schoeman, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan and Hugo Keenan; enter Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy and Duhan van der Merwe.
Waratahs 10-14 Lions, 49 minutes
12:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleA similar situation - Alex Mitchell’s box kick 30 metres out from the Waratahs line is a trifle aimless, and he might therefore be grateful for the blocking fingers of opposite number Teddy Wilson that send it spinning into the midriff of a forward, who knocks on.
Mahe Vailanu is on for Ethan Dobbins at hooker for the Tahs, Dobbins taking leave after that maul score.
Waratahs 10-14 Lions, 48 minutes
12:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleStony faces in the Lions coaching box, though it is they who will feed this scrum after a Waratahs charge down of a chip kick is knocked on by Australia hands. Will Andy Farrell be contemplating early changes?
Waratahs 10-14 Lions, 46 minutes
12:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn eighth handling error from the Lions soon arrives, captain Tadhg Beirne having buttered his fingers alongside his teammates.
No try! Waratahs 10-14 Lions, 45 minutes
12:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleMuch more like it but Josh van der Flier can’t get there! Oh so close for the Ireland flanker, maybe four blades of grass from reaching the whitewash after an outstanding sniping break from Alex Mitchell had created the space. Blair Kinghorn had cleverly waited for support to arrive thereafter and connected with the openside flanker, but Van der Flier was felled metres short by an outstanding cover tackle and couldn’t quite extend his go-go-gadget arms to the line.
Waratahs 10-14 Lions, 44 minutes
12:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lions know there are in a proper battle here. They just need to settle in again in this second half.
TRY! WARATAHS 10-14 Lions (Ethan Dobbins, 42 minutes)
12:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe rumbling mass gets there and Ethan Dobbins is the buried beneficiary!
In pile a couple of backs to lend their weight to the drive and the British and Irish Lions simply wilt! Through pile the bodies with their hooker at the heart of it, Dobbins flopping over wants he and his sky-blue brethren. Just what Dan McKellar and his staff would have wanted - though Jack Bowen’s conversion hits the upright.
Waratahs 5-14 Lions, 41 minutes
12:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleA sloppy start. A soft penalty to open the second 40 against the Lions and the Waratahs are on the hunt for a second score, the forwards following the penalty down into the left corner.
Second half...
12:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle“A bit of our work in contact hasn’t been good enough,” Lions assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth tells Sky Sports as the players re-emerge. “We’ve not managed our way through the game the way we want to. It’s been like this a bit in the first half of the games so far.”
It has been a pattern - often followed by a second-half surge. Can the Lions do so again? Back underway in Sydney.
HT: Waratahs 5-14 Lions
12:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome errors are perhaps to be expected with how intricately the Lions are clearly trying to play, but on match four of the tour one might expect things to be clicking a little more regularly. In better news, Scott Cummings has bounced back well from a tough outing in Perth, and Pierre Schoeman and Finlay Bealham have had clear supremacy at scrum time.
Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones have shown their grooved partnership, too, though Hugo Keenan’s had a tricky time on Lions debut - he really should have made that tackle on Darby Lancaster as he hustled across as last man before the Waratahs wing’s score. The Irishman is normally solid as a rock in that sense, and perhaps showed a little bit of ring-rust after his recent spell on the sidelines.
HT: Waratahs 5-14 Lions
11:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleA decent enough half, that, full of physicality and fury. Just as against the Brumbies on Wednesday, the Lions have had their attacking wings clipped by handling errors - the stats show five unforced fumbles, while a few soft penalties have prevented them building on their set-piece supremacy. The Waratahs have brought plenty of intensity, but you wouldn’t say too many in red have furthered their Test chances so far.
Back for more in a bit.
HALF TIME: Waratahs 5-14 Lions
11:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Waratahs 5-14 Lions, 41 minutes
11:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleA try gone begging! Sublime hands followed by ridiculous ones from the Lions, Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen sweeping around to create numbers on the extreme left, but the runners outside overrun them, and all Luke Cowan-Dickie can do is sprawl to prevent the pass hopping out of play as it tumbles behind him. The ball is eventually smuggled into touch to send everyone down the tunnel.
Waratahs 5-14 Lions, 39 minutes
11:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother canny kick from the Lions, this time from Hugo Keenan, pulls up just beyond the try line. The Waratahs look to play, as they have often tonight, but Darby Lancaster runs down a blind alley and is forced to part with his goods, booting the ball into a side street. The Lions will have a lineout on the fringes of the 22.
Waratahs 5-14 Lions, 37 minutes
11:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell, you’d imagine that challenge might have been a bigger talking point were we already at the Tests - the Lions don’t seem that annoyed by the decision, though they would probably have a right to be aggrieved.
Anyway, the Waratahs would love another before the half to give them real belief into the interval. A booming punt from Blair Kinghorn pushes them back into their own in-goal.
TRY STANDS!
11:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh dear - this doesn’t look fantastic for the Waratahs or Lee-Warner. The lock has come in to clearout Mack Hansen and may have made head contact on the Lions wing...or not! Referee Paul Williams is happy that it isn’t foul play - somehow. Slightly perplexing, one must say, an arm tucked and the other making pretty forceful impact into the head of Hansen.
Anyway, the try stands.
TRY! WARATAHS 5-14 Lions (Darby Lancaster, 35 minutes)
11:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Waratahs hit back!
Maybe Taniela Tupou is really a scrum half? That’s outstanding from the massive tighthead, standing in for an absent Teddy Wilson and showing the instincts of an elite No 9. He picks and snipes before holding his feet and drawing Ben Earl to him, before eventually springing Rob Leota outside him. Leota puts Darby Lancaster away, the wing riding a tackle, stumbling and bumbling to the line.
Hang on, though - TMO Richard Kelly once again wants to have his input. Has Fergus Lee-Warner scuppered another score?
TRY! Waratahs 0-14 LIONS (Huw Jones, 33 minutes)
11:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleMake mine a double! Huw Jones has his second, the feet sweet as he jinks and jives to the line from five metres out by beating a couple of would-be tacklers in a phone box.
That battle for starting centre shirts come the Tests is bubbling away nicely.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 31 minutes
11:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleI tell you, there have been some thunderous hits in this opening half. Both the Western Force and the Brumbies struggled to stay the course after fast starts but it feels like the physicality has ratcheted up again, here.
That’s poor game management, though: eight needless phases are played inside the Waratahs half and Fergus-Lee Warner (not having his best two minutes) eventually concedes another penalty.
NO TRY! Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 30 minutes
11:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleCharlie Gamble has a try and don’t the Waratahs love it! The openside flanker burst free from the writhing mass of the maul and parts Alex Mitchell and Mack Hansen to get to the line.
The hosts are cock-a-hoop, getting in the faces of their tourists - but the TMO may poop their party, Richard Kelly believing he may have seen a spot of obstruction...and yep, that’s pretty clear-cut, alas. Fergus Lee-Warner had slid in front of the hoisted catcher at the lineout, preventing the Lions from accessing Miles Amatosero.
A shame, for the Waratahs deserved that. This has been a physical and frisky first half hour from the hosts. Penalty to the Lions.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 29 minutes
11:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother penalty. A double blast of the whistle from Paul Williams...but still the referee is not reaching to his pocket! Tadhg Beirne, the Lions captain, is warned about his side’s conduct - it was Ben Earl again with a ruck indiscretion.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 28 minutes
11:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleHas Taniela Tupou got there? No, somehow denied! The hulking tighthead looked sure to score as he picked and drove around the corner, but the Lions got a body beneath him.
Not legally, mind - Luke Cowan-Dickie was offside. There’s no card but the pressure will keep coming on as the Waratahs tap and play at speed...
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 26 minutes
11:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lions start strongly defensively but then concede a soft penalty, playing the scrum half at the base of the ruck unnecessarily with the ball already slow. Ben Earl the culprit, it would seem, unable to resist a shove through the breakdown after making a tackle. Back to the corner.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 24 minutes
11:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleNot the best kick from Alex Mitchell, that - you can understand the idea as the scrum half dribbles something in behind off his left peg for those outside him to chase, but Lawson Creighton is across to cover, and finds an excellent booted reply.
That’s fine chasing, too, from the hosts - a penalty earned by Charlie Gamble at the breakdown allows them a chance to kick deep into Lions territory.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 23 minutes
11:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe set-piece holds stable for long enough to allow the hosts to clear - though they aren’t exactly out of their own end. A poor exit. The Lions will throw a lineout insidethe 22 once Finlay Bealham has been patched up.
He’s back amongst things. Can they strike for a second time?
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 21 minutes
11:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleA scrum isn’t necessarily what the Waratahs will want given the power the Lions are putting on. A reset allows the burly men to draw breath.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 20 minutes
11:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleRoars of delight from the Waratahs - that’s a serious defensive stand! They re-steel really effectively having initially lost ground after the lineout, with Fin Smith and Sione Tuipulotu shut down thereafter as they bid to play-make. Luke Cowan-Dickie spills a loose pass forward.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 19 minutes
11:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe giant Miles Amatosero is penalised for changing his mind to stall the Lions maul. The men in red might fancy another rumble...
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 18 minutes
11:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Waratahs just can’t get a foothold at scrum time. Taniela Tupou is coming under pressure from Pierre Schoeman and Finlay Bealham is well on top of Tom Lambert, a former Scotland U20 cap, on the other side.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 16 minutes
11:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lions are going hard at plenty of breakdowns. There is load of scavenging threat in this side even with Henry Pollock out - Tadhg Beirne is a regular pilferer and Luke Cowan-Dickie is very good over the ball, too, to go along with Josh van der Flier and Ben Earl. Earl’s had a very lively start, busting out of a couple of tackles to help the Lions escape their own 22 a couple of minutes ago.
Waratahs 0-7 Lions, 14 minutes
11:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleNot for the first time this tour, the Lions make a total mess of their restart receipt - a penalty from it is prodded to the corner by the Waratahs.
Taniela Tupou is sent thundering down the tramline around the front of the lineout but three Lions get in the way of the runaway bus. A fumble on the floor prevents the hosts from building real pressure - a shame.
TRY! Waratahs 0-7 LIONS (Huw Jones, 12 minutes)
11:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleA page straight from the Scottish playbook and Huw Jones is in!
Huw-ipulotu strike! It’s a classic try from messrs Tuipulotu and Jones, the former taking it hard to the line and feigning the pull-back before delicately dabbing a pass into the hands of his onrushing centre partner. Through a gap Jones ushers, and there’s no stopping him.
Fin Smith adds the extras.
Waratahs 0-0 Lions, 11 minutes
11:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe scrum, though, is a growing concern. Another penalty for the tourists and Fin Smith finds the corner as the Lions bid to end this bright Waratahs start.
Waratahs 0-0 Lions, 10 minutes
11:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is really strong stuff from the Waratahs defence so far. The hits have been crunching and their edge discipline very good, not allowing the Lions to get to the outside. Mack Hansen’s speculator does find Ben Earl but the scramble is good.
Taniela Tupou thrusts out of the line in search of an intercept, but can’t quite gather it. Just a knock on, the officials conclude, despite an outstretched hand.
Waratahs 0-0 Lions, 10 minutes
11:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is really strong stuff from the Waratahs defence so far. The hits have been crunching and their edge discipline very good, not allowing the Lions to get to the outside. Mack Hansen’s speculator does find Ben Earl but the scramble is good.
Taniela Tupou thrusts out of the line in search of an intercept, but can’t quite gather it. Just a knock on, the officials conclude, despite an outstretched hand.
Waratahs 0-0 Lions, 7 minutes
11:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lions work their shapes out the back of a forward pod, but Fin Smith is well corralled. Momentum stalls with the Waratahs shooting up out of the line with impressive intensity, and Alex Mitchell is forced to kick to touch for a spot of territory.
The Waratahs safely execute their clearing drill from close to their own line, a simple lineout accurately done and a platform set to allow Teddy Wilson to boot long.
The Lions attempt to play from near halfway, but Ben Earl slips in an untimely fashion! The explosive back row looked to be through a gap on to Mack Hansen’s pass otherwise.
In the stands, meanwhile, Owen Farrell gets mostly cheers as he is shown on the big screen - even as a couple of English Lions colleagues, including Will Stuart, mock him with fake boos.
Waratahs 0-0 Lions, 5 minutes
11:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis time Paul Williams does blow his whistle - penalty against Taniela Tupou after Pierre Schoeman and he went down together.
Waratahs 0-0 Lions, 4 minutes
11:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Waratahs make a hash of their first lineout. Alex Mitchell will feed a scrum 12 metres inside his own half.
No clear supremacy. Reset. They’ll pack down again.
Waratahs 0-0 Lions, 2 minutes
11:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome neat handling at the line from the Lions as they work their first attacking shape...but then a fumble comes! Hugo Keenan shells it and off go the Waratahs, Darby Lancaster gathering and galloping.
Can he link up with Teddy Wilson?...No, brilliant back-tracking from Scott Cummings to get back and intercept! A vital intervention from the Scottish lock.
Waratahs 0-0 Lions, 1 minute
11:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleA fine first clearance from the talented Teddy Wilson, a scrum half of real potential though stuck behind Jake Gordon. A booming left footed box kick pushes the Lions back beyond halfway.
KICK OFF!
11:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleA blast of the whistle from Paul Williams and off we go!
Waratahs vs Lions
10:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lions would love a fast start today, you feel, given how clunky they’ve been in the opening 20 across their first three fixtures. There are plenty of red shirts in Sydney, the sea of red flooding in to Australia as that Test series grows ever nearer.
12 years ago...
10:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Waratahs encountered a very strong Lions side on the tour 12 years ago, Sam Warburton skippering the tourists to a 47-7 win a week before the first Test as Warren Gatland gave what was virtually his first-choice side a hit-out. Owen Farrell featured off the bench back then - having safely arrived in Australia, he’ll watch on from the stands today.
Today's match officials
10:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleTrying to keep any simmering tensions in check tonight will be a team of Kiwis - with a South African on hand if any incidents of foul play require further review.
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Top of the props?
10:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe battle for the loosehead shirt is an intriguing one in Lions camp, with all of Genge, Andrew Porter and Pierre Schoeman having their merits. Do we read too much into Genge being alongside likely Test starter Dan Sheehan and stalwart Tadhg Furlong in the bench front-row unit today? One doubts Andy Farrell has quite made up his mind yet but as the Tests draw closer, his starting side will surely become more and more obvious.
Not, though, that the sextet of props out on tour seem openly hostile together, as Schoeman explained this week...
Lions’ props roam the team hotel like ‘migrating bison’ – Pierre Schoeman
Taniela Tupou gets a chance to shine
10:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was a slight surprise to see Taniela Tupou released to play this game rather than feature for the Wallabies against Fiji in Newcastle tomorrow, but it perhaps reflects a few nagging concerns over the form and fitness of the destructive tighthead. At his best, there are few more frightening forces in the tight and the loose but the 29-year-old hasn’t perhaps been at his best in his first season with the Waratahs.
Tupou appears bound for Racing 92 on what it is understood is a very, very lucrative deal next season, and will hope to prove a point to Joe Schmidt tonight. Watch out, by the way, if he remains on the field when Ellis Genge is introduced - the pair butted heads when England were out in Australia in 2022 and could well resume their rivalry.
Two full-backs are better than none?
10:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne imagines that Andy Farrell was probably planning to start Blair Kinghorn in the No 15 shirt tonight before Hugo Keenan missed the Reds game. Keenan thus needs his first run-out of the tour, and it may not be a bad thing to get time on the wing in Kinghorn given it may be an option the Lions explore at some point during the Tests. The composition of their bench come the games against the Wallabies is fascinating, and Kinghorn’s capacity to play 10, 11, 14 or 15 could well give him an inside track to a spot somewhere in the 23.
Team news - Lions
10:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleAfter the loss of Elliot Daly, there is welcome news for the Lions with full-backs Hugo Keenan and Blair Kinghorn each able to make their first appearances of the tour. Keenan has recovered from the illness that ruled him out of the Reds clash and is stationed in the No 15 shirt; Kinghorn showcases his versatility by lining up on the left wing. Henry Pollock was due to join Ben Earl and Josh van der Flier in another back row of scavengers before that late injury - Tadhg Beirne instead skippers the side from six with a six/two bench abandoned by Duhan van der Merwe’s introduction to the 23.
Lions XV: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 Scott Cummings, 5 James Ryan; 6 Tadhg Beirne (capt.), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Blair Kinghorn, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Joe McCarthy, 21 Jac Morgan; 22 Ben White, 23 Marcus Smith, 20 Duhan van der Merwe.
Our team to face the Waratahs in Sydney! 🫡🦁#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 3, 2025
Team news - Waratahs
10:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Waratahs are bolstered by a couple of fringe Wallabies released from Joe Schmidt’s Australia’s squad, with tighthead Taniela Tupou a notable inclusion. Flanker Rob Leota and wing Andrew Kellaway are others that may yet feature come the Test series, while scrum half Teddy Wilson is a player of promise. Look out, too, for Jamie Adamson on the bench - the back row is a former England and Great Britain Sevens stalwart.
Waratahs XV: 1 Tom Lambert, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 3 Taniela Tupou; 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Miles Amatosero; 6 Rob Leota, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Hugh Sinclair (capt.); 9 Teddy Wilson, 10 Jack Bowen; 11 Darby Lancaster, 12 Joey Walton, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 14 Andrew Kellaway; 15 Lawson Creighton.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Daniel Botha, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Jamie Adamson; 21 Jack Grant, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Henry O’Donnell.
Our 23 to take on the British & Irish Lions this Saturday Night 🦁#wearetahs pic.twitter.com/q1J9hAA1Uq
— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) July 3, 2025
What of the Waratahs?
09:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s the Waratahs for the Lions today, a Sydney side of great heritage and lineage now coached by former Leicester boss Dan McKellar. They finished 8th in the Super Rugby Pacific ladder in the recently-concluded season and are absent a few of those likely to be lining up for the Wallabies come the Test, including the very exciting Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
This could, however, be a trickier affair for the Lions than their last two outings, with this a slightly more settled side at McKellar’s disposal.
When do the British and Irish Lions play Australia? Full tour schedule, kick-off times and how to watch on TV
09:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleNeed a refresher of the upcoming itinerary for the tourists? We’ve got you covered...
When do the Lions play Australia? Full tour schedule and how to watch on TV
BREAKING: Lions forced into late change
09:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe British and Irish Lions have been forced into a late reshuffle: Henry Pollock is out with a tight calf, though his withdrawal is understood to just be precautionary with few fears of a longer-term absence.
Tadhg Beirne slides to six with Scott Cummings brought into the starting side, and Duhan van der Merwe joining the bench.
Jodie Burrage ponders trip to see Ben White play for the Lions after Wimbledon exit
09:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother Scot involved for the first time in Lions red today is scrum half Ben White, who flew across the Tasman after the injury to Tomos Williams last week. Pondering a longer trip to Australia is Jodie Burrage, White’s other half and one of British tennis’ best and brightest - even if her time at Wimbledon wasn’t as fruitful as she had hoped.
Jodie Burrage ponders trip to see boyfriend play for the Lions after Wimbledon exit
Blair Kinghorn gives Lions skipper Maro Itoje a rude awakening
09:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleBlair Kinghorn was a latecomer into Lions camp after helping Toulouse to the Top 14 title. He didn’t exactly ingratiate himself immediately on arrival, either, waking the skipper after getting in to Brisbane earlier this week.
Blair Kinghorn gives Lions skipper Maro Itoje a rude awakening
British and Irish Lions squad: Player-by-player guide to the 38 selected by Andy Farrell
08:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleSo that’s now three of those named in the original touring party scratched from Andy Farrell’s squad - here’s your potted guide to every player in Australia:
Andy Farrell demands end to social media ‘nonsense’ after son Owen’s Lions call-up
08:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhile much of the debate around Owen Farrell’s call-up has been just and well measured, there has been some criticism that has strayed into slightly uncomfortable areas. It doesn’t sit particularly well given Farrell felt the need to step away from Test rugby to prioritise his mental wellbeing after the 2023 World Cup, and his father had a message for some of those on social media after giveing him a call.
Andy Farrell demands end to social media ‘nonsense’ after son Owen’s Lions call-up
Luke Cowan-Dickie backs Lions call-up for ‘class player’ Owen Farrell
08:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleUnsurprisingly, long-time England colleague Luke Cowan-Dickie has hailed Farrell’s qualities having been reunited with the fly half stressing his qualities with a simple message: ‘You don’t lose class’.
Luke Cowan-Dickie backs Lions call-up for ‘class player’ Owen Farrell
Dan Biggar questions Owen Farrell’s Lions call-up: ‘It doesn’t really make sense’
08:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleAmong those, though, to question the call-up of Owen Farrell has been former Lions teammate Dan Biggar. The pair toured together in 2017 and 2021 and Biggar can therefore attest to Farrell’s leadership and ability, but there is no doubt that Andy Farrell is taking something of a gamble calling up an individual who has not played in nine weeks and been out of the international arena since the 2023 World Cup.
Dan Biggar questions Owen Farrell’s Lions call-up: ‘It doesn’t really make sense’
Owen Farrell handed surprise Lions call-up after Elliot Daly injury
07:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleYes, as you may have heard, Owen Farrell is a Lions tourist for a fourth time, answering the call of his father Andy with the head coach desiring extra experience and inside centre cover to go along with the obvious talents of a 112-cap England fly half.
Owen Farrell handed surprise Lions call-up after Elliot Daly injury
Elliot Daly ruled out of the tour with a fractured forearm
07:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleVictory, however, came at a cost in Brisbane, with Elliot Daly - who had so impressed in the first three outings of the summer - fracturing his forearm in the win. A real shame for the Englishman after getting some overdue flowers - though confirmation of his replacement a day later proved seismic news...
Maro Itoje stamps authority on Lions in Reds thrashing - but another sloppy start will concern Andy Farrell
07:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleLet’s start, though, by looking back at the midweek action, with the Lions overcoming a clunky start to blow away the Reds with skipper Maro Itoje to the fore.
Itoje stamps authority on Lions in Reds thrashing - but sloppy start concerning
Waratahs vs Lions live
Friday 4 July 2025 13:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleA very good morning. The British and Irish Lions are back in action as they continue their preparations for the three Tests against the Wallabies, with a tight turnaround between beating the Queensland Reds and facing the New South Wales Waratahs rather enlivened by the news that Owen Farrell will be joining the tour.
We’ll get to that in a moment as we build up to today’s kick off at 11am BST.
