logo
Lions have to battle for win over First Nations and Pasifika team in Melbourne

Lions have to battle for win over First Nations and Pasifika team in Melbourne

Leader Live2 days ago
For the first time in seven matches Down Under there was a sense of jeopardy as scratch opponents comprising players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage threatened to cause an upset at Marvel Stadium.
A 64th minute try by Duhan van der Merwe propelled the Lions 10 points clear in what appeared to be the decisive moment, but big-hitting FNP refused to concede and struck again through Rob Leota to set up a tense finish.
…and breathe 😮‍💨#Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/pau3FJUnby
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 22, 2025
The closing exchanges belonged to FNP, who replaced Melbourne Rebels after the Super Rugby franchise went into administration, and when they pinched a late line-out the Lions had to weather one last storm.
Owen Farrell was captain for the first time in his four Lions tours and while he was solid enough, few players put their hands up for selection for Saturday's second Test against the Wallabies.
Jac Morgan and James Ryan were replaced early in the second half, suggesting they might be involved in the Melbourne Cricket Ground showdown in some capacity, but in performance terms all the stars wore white – and none more than their brilliant openside Charlie Gamble.
If the Lions were lulled into a false sense of security by running in early tries through Jamie Osborne and Darcy Graham, they soon woke up.
Graham, one of nine late call-ups in the matchday 23, experienced 16 eventful minutes after being presented with two-half chances, finishing an easier third and being on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle from Triston Reilly.
Reilly was sin-binned and soon after Graham limped off with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
The Lions were too frantic and the tide turned quickly when Reilly – whose yellow card was not upgraded on review – picked off a poor pass by Blair Kinghorn to touch down.
Van der Merwe's work in defence has been exposed all tour and his hesitation in dealing with a kick was the prelude to FNP drawing level when a series of forward drives ended with Seru Uru powering over.
All the small wins were coming from the underdogs as they won a scrum penalty, defended their line manfully and then pickpocketed a Lions line-out.
Seeking a reaction, Farrell barked 'let's go, let's go' at his players, but instead Kinghorn threw another loose pass and this time van der Merwe came to the rescue as FNP threatened to score.
The Lions' conviction returned early in the second half and was evident as Farrell, Fin Smith and Kinghorn threw passes that provided Osborne with a simple run in.
They continued to be met with thunderous defending but eventually struck for the fourth time with Farrell sending van der Merwe over.
FNP were not done, however, as they advanced downfield to win a line-out through their determined harrying before Rob Leota found a way through.
And the Lions were waiting for the final whistle to blow as they faced down a series of late attacks.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Alexander Isak comments say a lot as Liverpool target requests big-money transfer
Alexander Isak comments say a lot as Liverpool target requests big-money transfer

Daily Mirror

time11 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Alexander Isak comments say a lot as Liverpool target requests big-money transfer

Alexander Isak has told Newcastle he wants to leave as he looks to explore his options elsewhere, with Liverpool keen on the forward after he made glowing comments about Arne Slot's side Alexander Isak's past comments show exactly why the striker is pushing for a Newcastle United exit. The Liverpool target has told the Magpies he wants to explore a move to another club after three years at Newcastle under Eddie Howe. ‌ Despite being linked with a Liverpool transfer throughout the summer, a move seemed unlikely as Newcastle repeatedly made it clear that their star player was not up for sale, reportedly demanding a whopping £150million fee for him. ‌ Liverpool then shifted their focus to signing Frenchman Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth up to £79m. However, recent developments regarding Isak have led the Premier League champions to now consider shattering the British transfer record for the second time this summer to secure the Swedish international. ‌ On Thursday morning, it was announced that Isak would be absent from Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia due to what was described as a thigh issue. But Isak is understood to be considering his options. Amid speculation regarding his future, Howe opted to send the Swede home before the pre-season match at Celtic last weekend. Following a standout season where he netted 23 goals in the Premier League, The Times reported that Isak's representatives were seeking a new contract worth around £300,000-per-week. Yet, Newcastle are only prepared to offer up to £200,000-per-week, which may have influenced Isak's decision to now search for another club. However, aside from contract discussions, the striker has previously demonstrated he's not one to shy away from taking the next step for the good of his career, even if that move is considered bold or risky. Following his £63m switch to Newcastle in August 2022, he told the club's official website that this same mindset led him to depart Sweden for Borussia Dortmund at just 17 years of age. Isak explained: "I didn't hesitate to leave Sweden, it was just deciding where. In football, you never know when the next chance is going to come, and so you take it. Obviously, as a young player, you need time on the pitch. If you're not getting that, all you can do is train harder. 'That's what I did, I stayed later, I trained on my own as well. I knew my chance would come, even if it wasn't there, I knew it would come at another club and I wanted to be ready." ‌ Liverpool are believed to be a realistic destination for Isak should he leave St James' Park this summer, given their recent Premier League success and financial muscle to pull off the move. Isak himself has also been vocal about his admiration for the Reds' playing style. Newcastle's style of play influenced his decision to join the North East outfit three years ago, as he admitted: 'There's a lot of parts that need to be in place to make a big decision like this. But I think a big reason is the big project that this club has going. 'I've seen the way they play - it's very attractive football - and not least the amazing fans as you can see. [They're] very passionate fans, and you can feel just by being here that this city breathes Newcastle. I'm very happy to be here.' ‌ He then compared Liverpool's style of play to Newcastle's after the 2-1 victory in the Carabao Cup final against Arne Slot's side in March, saying after he netted the winning goal: "I really enjoy the games against Liverpool, because I think they're not too different to ourselves. "They are a high-pressing team and a direct team, which can lead to many counter-opportunities. That's the game I like." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Formula E champion Oliver Rowland talks Ibiza trip, Max Verstappen friendship and being a girl dad
Formula E champion Oliver Rowland talks Ibiza trip, Max Verstappen friendship and being a girl dad

Scottish Sun

time13 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Formula E champion Oliver Rowland talks Ibiza trip, Max Verstappen friendship and being a girl dad

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OLIVER ROWLAND will treat his Nissan team to a knees up in Ibiza after the season finale in London. The Barnsley-born 32-year-old was crowned Formula E world champion in Berlin last time out. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Oliver Rowland celebrated his maiden Formula E win with four-year-old daughter Harper at Legoland Credit: Getty 4 Harper congratulated her dad on the team radio when he sealed the championship in Berlin Credit: Getty 4 Oliver Rowland won his maiden Formula E world title in Berlin Credit: Getty 4 Rowland plans to treat his Nissan team to a celebratory holiday in Ibiza Credit: Getty Rowland was reduced to tears on his final lap and his four-year-old daughter Harper said on the team radio: 'Daddy, you're the world champion!' The British driver secured four wins and seven podiums with his team this season and it was his first championship in seven seasons in Formula E. Rowland isn't one for the glitz and glamour of motor-sport, and is quiet off the track, preferring to do his talking in the car. He has spent the past week celebrating his title by spending quality time with Harper and his wife Lauren. They even took a trip to Legoland where Rowland couldn't help coach his daughter on the smaller cars, although she was too young to get her driver's license. He said: "It was my daughter's birthday last Tuesday, so I spent the full day at Legoland celebrating I was absolutely knackered by the end of the day! "She wasn't tall enough to get her driver's license but she went on the baby cars and I was asking her to get her head down like they do in go karts it was so funny." Rowland has been known to celebrate his wins with a "few beers" this season, but he will be taking that up a notch with a team trip to Ibiza after this weekend's final race in London. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS He added: "Since we're so close to City airport and all in London together I decided to invite all the engineers away with me. "I just thought it was something different and nice to do for them. Let them have a nice two or three days. Glamorous TikToker Bianca Bustamante gives behind-the-scenes look at a Formula E race week "I wanted to appreciate all the work that the whole team does and it was a gesture to show my appreciation. We can have a bit of fun together." Rowland has a presence in F1, and has been with Alpine for 10-years helping with testing. He also enjoyed a short stint as a junior driver for Williams in 2018. He still has a presence in the sport, mentoring F1 prospect and Red Bull junior driver, Arvid Lindblad. And is good pals with four-time world champion Max Verstappen who wished him luck ahead of Berlin. Rowland added: "He sent me a message on on Saturday night, telling me to score points and calm down a little bit, "Then on Sunday, he told me, well done so yeah, it was really nice for him, because I was feeling pretty down after Saturday's mistake and he reached out. "Just said 'yeah look, you got this, you're doing a good job'." Rowland's most treasured congratulatory message remains from his daughter Harper though. Being a 'girl dad' is his biggest achievement and wife Lauren is pregnant with baby number 2. He added: "At the beginning I always wanted to have a boy but another girl like Harper would be super cute."

Ayrshire team set World and British record after completing 100K ski erg challenge
Ayrshire team set World and British record after completing 100K ski erg challenge

Daily Record

timean hour ago

  • Daily Record

Ayrshire team set World and British record after completing 100K ski erg challenge

Ski Sirens beat the younger, mixed team target by 10 minutes. An Ayrshire team has set a world and British record after completing a 100K 'ski erg' challenge. ‌ The team of 10 determined women, called 'Ski Sirens,' beat a younger, mixed team record by 10 minutes and set a new record in the small, women's, 40-49 age category. ‌ The challenge took place at ULT Fitness and Crossfit in Ayr, one year after the first ULT event and was held in aid of Ayrshire Hospice. ‌ Team member Evey Prentice, 54, said: "We sang, we danced, we laughed, we counted and miscounted, we sweated, and we swore. "We alternated every minute for the first half, then with 40K to go we switched to 45 second changeovers, which was hard to count when you were starting to feel the bite of exhaustion. ‌ "We kept each other going and kept the pace sub two until the last 15K, by which time it had crept up to 2:00:1. With only 30 seconds to blast it and enough time to recover, we began to chase the sub two pace and by the end, although our final screen read a 1:59:9 pace, our verification screen showed a 1:59:8 pace." The team was coached by Annie Atkins, 61, a multiple British and World record holder in Concept2 indoor rowing. Evey first met Annie at Prestwick Rowing Club, where she was inspired by Annie's World record achievements. ‌ Aged 50, Evey joined Annie in March 2022 in Rhyl, and earned her first four British and four World records with a large women's team, We Rowed All Night. In the 30-39 and 40-49 age category they set records for 24 hour distance row and 26 hour longest continuous row. A few months later, in December 2022, Annie's journey took a turn when she underwent emergency treatment after a ruptured bowel led to sepsis. ‌ Overnight she learned she had stage four bowel cancer, was fitted with a stoma and left with a hernia, yet her determination never waned. At the time of starting chemotherapy, Annie was already planning her comeback regime. Six weeks after surgery and 12 hours after starting chemo she was back to training. Annie said: "I think having goals and a positive mindset definitely helps your recovery. I would also add that because I was so fit on the lead up to my illness, it definitely helped and although this would be conjecture, I honestly believe I wouldn't be here now had I not initially been so fit." ‌ Annie was in remission in 2024 and joined ULT gym with Evey where the duo found a bunch of like-minded people and formed ULT Rowtorious Lassies, who broke the same records as Rhyl but in a small team of 10women in the 40-49 age category. Evey said: "In October 2024, Annie and I had competed took solo first and second place, respectively in our age categories in the Driathlon, but we were hungry for more. As the ski erg is part of the Driathlon, Annie looked for a record she thought we could take. There was no record set for the 100K ski erg in the 30-39 and 40-49 age categories. ‌ "Annie approached our original ULT Rowtorious Lassies and managed to get most of them to agree. We needed a couple of others to make up our team of 10 and found them easily from the ULT membership." The new team involves 10 members, Annie and Evey, Candice Christie, Clare Holland, Geraldine Hunter, Kathryn Chalmers, Lorna McEwan, Lyndsey Lamount, Hilary McNally and Maria Coughtrie. On May 1, 2025 Annie set up a chat and began posting workouts to prepare the team for the challenge. The team trained together as much as possible, with one, honorary-ULT member, doing her training in Dundee. ‌ Ski Sirens initially aimed for a 2.04 pace, the benchmark set by a younger mixed team, but under Annie's guidance the team improved their technique. "Most of us had never seen a sub two, below 2mins/500m, pace and some of us were hovering around the 2.10-2.15 pace. However, Annie provided tips on technique and we trained hard to compete easy", said Evey. ‌ Annie added: "The training was hard but I really enjoy training hard. It gives you a focus, drive and so many other great benefits." Just weeks before the record attempt, Annie received devastating news that her cancer was back. Evey shared: "She was confused and devastated. With results and treatment up in the air, we all wanted to do what was best for Annie and she wanted us to carry on but, thankfully, passed the baton to me for organising. ‌ "We had already decided, as a team, to donate to Ayrshire Hospice, and Annie wanted to use their Super Summer Draw campaign idea for us." Supper Summer donations could be put towards a fish supper on the private terrace for families to share with a loved one. Dinos and Renaldo's kindly donated fish suppers and ice creams to the team, while Dinos also donated suppers to Ayrshire Hospice and Outcast supported the team with free iced coffees. Annie said: "It's always an amazing feeling to crack another endurance event or world record but to know you have been able to help a charity too is an additional bonus. ‌ "I have faced a number of testing times and not just my own battle with cancer but my youngest daughter has faced complex medical issues throughout her life and that is why I actually started doing charity events. "Then tragically last year my beautiful first grandson passed away at just three-days old. Being able to raise awareness for charities and turn tough times into positives certainly helps me cope better." ‌ While talking about the challenge, Annie said: "I have done many endurance fitness challenges over the years and each have their own unique demands. "With both the Ski Erg and rowing too, I have had to work at adapting my technique to cater for my abdominal surgery, stoma and incisional hernia. I didn't realise just how much my triceps compensate for my core so three hours into the ski erg event, my triceps were certainly feeling it. "I always remember, though, that the pain is only temporary unlike the enduring pain others face every day and that helps you power through." ‌ She added: "I will need to review my goals depending on future treatment but I will definitely be advocating and encouraging a 'training through treatment' approach. "I'm also sure there will be plenty of other challenges and records to break in the future but I really need to keep this quiet as the team will be blocking my number and running the other way when they see me. "I've managed to get Evey to agree to a cumulative 160K each, on any erg, in the month of August, for the 160K people living with cancer." To support Ski Sirens charity fundraiser, please visit here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store