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 Live6 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

Liverpool transfer news: Reds get Alexander Isak boost as key star moves closer to exit
Liverpool transfer news: Reds get Alexander Isak boost as key star moves closer to exit

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Liverpool transfer news: Reds get Alexander Isak boost as key star moves closer to exit

Liverpool may have signed Hugo Ekitike last week but the Premier League champions are still in the running to sign Alexander Isak amid talk the Newcastle star could move this summer Liverpool have already made some big moves in the transfer market this summer, but Arne Slot and Co are not done yet if recent noises anything to go by. ‌ Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike have all been signed up to bolster a squad which won the Premier League title last term. And more incomings are expected between now and the transfer deadline. ‌ The Reds are understood to be keen on signing a centre back after selling Jarrel Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer. ‌ And speculation linking Liverpool with a British record £150million transfer for Alexander Isak simply refuses to go away. Isak boost Eddie Howe has confirmed that there is "no chance" that Arsenal target Alexander Isak will join Newcastle on their pre-season tour of the Far East amid the current speculation over the striker's future. The Swede, 25, has been heavily linked with Liverpool this summer and it emerged last week that he would not be joining Newcastle overseas, with the player keen to explore his options. Speaking after Sunday's 3-2 loss to Newcastle in Singapore, Howe was asked whether the club's star striker would be heading out to join them and replied: 'No, no chance,' indicating that a parting of the ways could indeed be on the cards. Mega deal agreed ‌ Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle with Bayern Munich for the transfer of Luis Diaz. The Colombia winger, 28, has been linked with a move overseas in recent weeks and also had interest from Barcelona. It has also been noted that Diaz is keen on the idea of moving clubs this summer, though Liverpool were reluctant to sell. But The Guardian say Diaz is now close to leaving Liverpool after Bayern lodged a £70m bid for the attacker, who was left out of the team that lost 4-2 to AC Milan on Saturday. ‌ Fofana in Everton talks Liverpool-linked Malick Fofana is now in talks to join Everton from Lyon this summer. The Reds and other of the Premier League's top clubs have been credited with an interest the uber talented winger, who has scored 15 goals in 62 games for Lyon. The Athletic have confirmed that Everton and Lyon are in talks over a package for the 20-year-old with the Toffees also in contact with the player's camp to try and reach an agreement for a transfer. 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.

Jack Conan reveals video from Katie Taylor inspired Lions before second Test win
Jack Conan reveals video from Katie Taylor inspired Lions before second Test win

Rhyl Journal

time4 hours ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Jack Conan reveals video from Katie Taylor inspired Lions before second Test win

Taylor, an Olympic gold medal winner and current undisputed world super lightweight champion, sent the good luck message to Andy Farrell's squad in the build-up to Saturday's second Test at Melbourne Cricket Club. The 39-year-old's words on the ability to dig deep turned out to be prophetic as the Lions emerged 29-26 winners after fighting back from an 18-point deficit. 'The video was unbelievably poignant and powerful. It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but also being ready to win by will,' said Ireland number eight Conan, who like Taylor hails from Bray in County Wicklow. History made 🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 26, 2025 'That was something that was massively summed up in the game because we were not at our best at all. 'It's huge because she comes from the town I'm from. I'm incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well. 'She's gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world. To be such a superstar, incredibly humble and driven is something that we leant on as well because we knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it in spades. 'Everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy – it resonated with everyone. It was unbelievably poignant, it was class. It really hit home for us.' It took a beautifully-taken try by Hugo Keenan with 51 seconds remaining to separate the rivals in one of the greatest Lions matches ever played. Remarkably, Keenan's touchdown was the first time they led in the match. Conan admits that victory tastes all the sweeter for having been taken to the wire as Australia raised their game to a whole new level a week after starting the series with a whimper in Brisbane. 'We were not at our best by any measure, but physically the lads dug in unbelievably well,' he said. Full time scenes in Melbourne 🥹🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 26, 2025 'It was disappointing how we played, but we played for 80 minutes. Hugo getting over the line in the last minute was just unbelievable. 'It wasn't my best game. A lot of us weren't at the races at all, but we stuck in there. You can't fault the effort. I thought the defensive sets we put in, just whacking people and just staying in there, was unbelievable. 'It's something that will go down in history. They won't be writing the history books about how s*** we were, but they'll say that we won and that's all that matters. 'Everyone's over the moon. To be part of a Lions winning series team is incredibly special. The celebrations in the changing room wouldn't have been the same if we'd won by 20.'

Jack Conan reveals video from Katie Taylor inspired Lions before second Test win
Jack Conan reveals video from Katie Taylor inspired Lions before second Test win

North Wales Chronicle

time5 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Jack Conan reveals video from Katie Taylor inspired Lions before second Test win

Taylor, an Olympic gold medal winner and current undisputed world super lightweight champion, sent the good luck message to Andy Farrell's squad in the build-up to Saturday's second Test at Melbourne Cricket Club. The 39-year-old's words on the ability to dig deep turned out to be prophetic as the Lions emerged 29-26 winners after fighting back from an 18-point deficit. 'The video was unbelievably poignant and powerful. It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but also being ready to win by will,' said Ireland number eight Conan, who like Taylor hails from Bray in County Wicklow. History made 🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 26, 2025 'That was something that was massively summed up in the game because we were not at our best at all. 'It's huge because she comes from the town I'm from. I'm incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well. 'She's gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world. To be such a superstar, incredibly humble and driven is something that we leant on as well because we knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it in spades. 'Everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy – it resonated with everyone. It was unbelievably poignant, it was class. It really hit home for us.' It took a beautifully-taken try by Hugo Keenan with 51 seconds remaining to separate the rivals in one of the greatest Lions matches ever played. Remarkably, Keenan's touchdown was the first time they led in the match. Conan admits that victory tastes all the sweeter for having been taken to the wire as Australia raised their game to a whole new level a week after starting the series with a whimper in Brisbane. 'We were not at our best by any measure, but physically the lads dug in unbelievably well,' he said. Full time scenes in Melbourne 🥹🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 26, 2025 'It was disappointing how we played, but we played for 80 minutes. Hugo getting over the line in the last minute was just unbelievable. 'It wasn't my best game. A lot of us weren't at the races at all, but we stuck in there. You can't fault the effort. I thought the defensive sets we put in, just whacking people and just staying in there, was unbelievable. 'It's something that will go down in history. They won't be writing the history books about how s*** we were, but they'll say that we won and that's all that matters. 'Everyone's over the moon. To be part of a Lions winning series team is incredibly special. The celebrations in the changing room wouldn't have been the same if we'd won by 20.'

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