The British & Irish Lions remain unbeaten on their Australian tour after scraping a narrow 24-19 win over the First Nations Pasifika XV in Melbourne. Despite maintaining their 100% record, the tourists’ latest display was far from their most convincing, as they struggled to gel for large periods and endured a nervous finish that could have produced an upset.
The match, hosted at the Marvel Stadium, saw the Lions tested in all areas by a spirited First Nations Pasifika side. The opposition demonstrated their intent early on, applying considerable pressure up front and threatening to breach the Lions’ defence on several occasions. Notably, Wallabies legend Kurtley Beale played a pivotal role for the hosts, guiding his team and slotting four points from the tee.
Wales’ Jac Morgan delivered a typically industrious performance, making eight tackles, seven powerful carries and claiming two crucial turnovers at the breakdown. Morgan’s early withdrawal after 51 minutes may indicate head coach Andy Farrell has plans to involve him in the second Test against the Wallabies later in the tour, reflecting the importance of player management with injuries beginning to mount within the squad.
The Lions’ attack saw Jamie Osborne cross the whitewash twice, alongside tries from Darcy Graham – whose participation was abruptly ended by an ankle injury just 15 minutes in – and the reliable Duhan van der Merwe. Scotland’s Graham limped off the pitch distraught, his tour hopes in doubt after only joining up with the squad last week. Fin Smith, entrusted with the kicking duties, converted two tries, providing an essential buffer during the latter stages.
Early on, the Lions appeared to be marching towards a routine victory. Osborne marked the first try, latching onto an intelligent chip from captain Owen Farrell, while Graham added a second following a neat pass from Smith. However, momentum gradually shifted as the FNP XV capitalised on a rare Lions mistake, with Triston Reilly intercepting a pass to score under the posts. Seru Uru later powered over for the hosts, and with both conversions successful, the sides went into the break level at 14-14.
After the restart, the Lions sought to reassert their dominance. Kinghorn’s long pass found Osborne for his second try, edging the tourists ahead. Yet the FNP XV refused to roll over, defending bravely to keep the Lions from extending their lead further. Persistent attacking eventually brought reward, with slick handling between Smith and Farrell sending van der Merwe across in the corner for the Lions’ fourth try.
Entering the final ten minutes, the game remained finely poised. The hosts, energised by the prospect of an historic scalp, camped deep in the Lions’ half. Their patience paid off when Rob Leota burst over following a sustained period of pressure and accurate offloading, reducing the deficit to just five points.
Expert defensive work in the dying stages, particularly through a crucial turnover by Henry Pollock, ultimately spared the Lions’ blushes. The visitors managed to repel one last surge and hold on for victory, even as their performance left plenty of room for improvement ahead of sterner tests to come.
Speaking prior to the match, Owen Farrell highlighted the significance of keeping momentum after an opening Test win and discussed the pressures that come with leading the Lions on tour. He acknowledged his own challenges in blocking out criticism and stressed the value of maintaining team morale as the tour progresses.
This fixture marked the conclusion of the Lions’ midweek matches, with selection decisions now looming for head coach Andy Farrell as he looks to balance squad rotation with the need to manage an expanding injury list. Several players staked their claim for a spot in the Test side, though the overall performance will give Farrell much to ponder ahead of the weekend’s clash against Australia.
Meanwhile, the First Nations Pasifika XV were lauded post-match for their endeavour and organisation. The side, captained by Beale, embraced the occasion, representing their diverse communities with pride and nearly producing a famous result. Their combative approach at the breakdown and potency in attack exposed some of the Lions’ vulnerabilities – a timely reminder for the tourists of the challenges that yet lie ahead Down Under.