First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions live: score, commentary, updates
Having played the Lions already for the Waratahs two weeks ago, today's game will probably be the Tongan Thor's final opportunity to impress Joe Schmidt and fulfil that goal.
Read Alex Lowe's full interview from July 7 here.
The 33-year-old will captain the Lions on his fourth tour today, knowing that a strong performance at inside centre could earn him a Test spot.
After taking some time away from the international stage to protect his mental health, Farrell now has a fresh, lighter perspective on the game, and has talked about himself having fun on this tour.
Read the full piece from Alex Lowe here.
There are plenty of Australia hopefuls in the First Nations & Pasifika team who will be keen to impress the head coach Joe Schmidt before the final two Test matches, such as Darcy Swain, Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu.
Captaining the side is Kurtley Beale, now 36, who played in all three Lions Tests 12 years ago, will be hoping for better luck than he had in the first Test of that year, when he slipped while taking a potentially match-winning penalty late in the game.
A reminder of team news for this morning's match…
Owen Farrell captains the side on his fourth Lions tour after being called up as injury cover for his former England team-mate Elliot Daly, while Fin Smith and Henry Pollock also start. There's an all Scottish back three of Duhan van der Merwe, the recently arrived Darcy Graham and the Test hopeful Blair Kinghorn at full back, whose tour has been disrupted by injuries.
Having missed out on selection for the first Test, the Wales flanker Jac Morgan is back in the side.
Good morning and welcome to the Times' live coverage of the British & Irish Lions' final tour match in Australia. Andy Farrell's side face a First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne before two final Test matches against the Wallabies at the MCG and Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Keep up to date with expert analysis and insight from our writers at the ground in Melbourne.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
'GUTTED IT ENDED THE WAY IT DID ...' Stricken Darcy Graham admits his tour with British and Irish Lions is over
Darcy Graham has confirmed his British and Irish Lions tour is over after his tearful exit from the field in Melbourne this week. The Scotland winger had been elated to receive a late call-up by head coach Andy Farrell after missing out on the initial squad. However, his dream Lions debut turned sour just minutes after touching down for a try against a First Nations and Pasifika XV when he was forced to hobble off with an ankle injury. The 28-year-old, who was consoled by Scotland team-mate Finn Russell as he watched the rest of a 24-19 win from the bench, yesterday posted a message on Instagram admitting his Lions adventure has been cut cruelly short. '16 minutes I'll never forget,' he wrote. 'It's been a rollercoaster of a journey but it was a dream come true to pull on the famous red jersey and make my Lions debut. 'Gutted it ended the way it did, but so proud to have been part of this special group. Thank you for all the support. We try again in 4 years time...'. Edinburgh star Graham, who was later seen wearing a protective boot, has suffered a series of injuries in recent times and will be anxiously awaiting the results of a scan. Called up for the injured Mack Hansen, he will miss the final two Tests against Australia, with Farrell's men needing one more win to clinch the series after last weekend's opening victory. Farrell said after Graham's latest injury upset: 'He's devastated. He was so upset. You could see how much it meant to him hobbling off. He's got a Lions caps, he's played for the British and Irish Lions and scored a try. He'll remember that forever.'
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Rishabh Pant injury and late Ben Stokes strike pull England back into Test
Rishabh Pant is a cricketer who, on any given day, gets tongues wagging. In this series he has scored twin hundreds; has cartwheeled in celebration; has thrown his bat skywards when attempting a slog over the leg side; was run out at a critical juncture of the Lord's Test and here in Manchester his role was of the walk-on, carried-off variety only, but still of central importance given what happened. Having made 37, Pant was in the process of gaining control for India during the final session in partnership with the willowy left-hander Sai Sudharsan. The usual whacky combination of dutiful defence and outrageous stroke play — with not much in between — had been fully in evidence when, attempting a reverse-sweep to Chris Woakes in the 68th over, he took a full toss on the outstep of his right foot and was forced to retire hurt.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
‘He was in a lot of pain': Pant's foot injury leaves India sweating on scan results
India are sweating over the fitness of Rishabh Pant after the wicketkeeper retired hurt with a painful foot injury on the opening day of the fourth Test against England. Pant was on 37 when he attempted an audacious – even by his lofty standards – reverse-sweep to a full Chris Woakes delivery, the ball slamming his right boot via an inside edge. While England unsuccessfully reviewed in the hope of an lbw, Pant was still forced to leave the field on the back of a golf cart. 'He was in a lot of pain,' said Sai Sudharsan, who was at the other end and top-scored for India with 61, his maiden Test half-century, as they closed on 264 for four after Ben Stokes won the toss. 'They've gone for scans. We'll get to know overnight, probably get the information tomorrow.' 'I hope he's all right,' England's Liam Dawson said. 'He's obviously a very good player. I probably can't see him taking much more part in this game.' Pant arrived in Manchester with his fitness under focus after a finger injury, sustained while keeping on the opening day at Lord's, hampered him for the remainder of that Test. Another injury is a significant blow to the visitors, with Pant the second-highest run-scorer in the series. Dawson managed to escape any serious punishment off Pant as he enjoyed a solid return to Test cricket, eight years on from his last appearance in the format. The left-arm spinner took just seven balls to find the outside edge of Yashasvi Jaiswal for 58, Harry Brook gobbling up at slip. The 35-year-old finished with tidy figures of one for 45 off 15 overs. 'I was just trying to bowl my best ball,' Dawson said. 'Just land it in the area as many times as you can. Thankfully, it got a little bit of drift and he nicked it. 'I've said to a few people that at the age that I'm at, I probably thought Test cricket was gone. To be back involved is really cool and I've got to try and enjoy each day that I get. It's just one wicket. I've done nothing special there. It's one wicket but it's another big day tomorrow.' On how he has changed as a bowler since his first stint in the Test side, Dawson said: 'I'm probably a little more consistent, understand pitches a little better. The older you get, you learn how to manage game scenarios.' Reminded that he took 10 wickets and hit a century at Old Trafford in an innings victory for Hampshire last year, Dawson replied: 'Do you know what? I completely forgot about that.' Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion Sudharsan enjoyed his comeback too, even if his absence was brief. After making his debut at three in the first Test at Headingley – returning a duck and second-innings 30 – the 23-year-old was left out of the following two matches as India opted for an extra all-rounder. However, the southpaw returned to first drop in place of Karun Nair and hung on for 151 deliveries. Given the short-ball treatment, he eventually perished to Stokes, a miscued pull finding Brydon Carse at long leg. The challenge was still welcomed. 'It was actually a really enjoyable experience, to be honest,' said Sudharsan. 'Because one of the best bowlers in the country is steaming in and trying to hit you hard. And you being there and giving your best for the team. That's one of the best feelings you can have. 'Playing against England on their home soil, you have to be ready for that aggressive nature. I enjoyed it.'
