Lions toil in unimpressive win against Waratahs
New South Wales Waratahs (5) 10
Tries: Lancaster, Dobbins
British and Irish Lions (14) 21
Tries: Jones 2, Mitchell Cons: F Smith 3
Huw Jones scored two tries as the error-ridden British and Irish Lions stumbled to an unconvincing victory against an understrength Waratahs side in Sydney.
Both of the Scotland centre's tries came in the opening half and Fin Smith converted each time to put the Lions into a 14-0 lead.
Advertisement
Waratahs wing Darby Lancaster responded just before half-time and hooker Ethan Dobbins barged over just after the break to make it a four-point game.
The Lions were playing frantically and without accuracy, but did find their range through the impressive Alex Mitchell, who dummied his way over for the tourists' third try midway through the second half.
Smith made it three from three with the boot but the disjointed Lions could not build on the cushion.
The driven Waratahs, missing a clutch of their best players at the end of a disappointing season, made it a frustrating night for Andy Farrell's team, despite the Lions winning a third successive game on Australian soil.
Advertisement
Darby Lancaster breaks free from Hugo Keenan's attempted tackle to score for the Waratahs [Getty Images]
As was the case in Perth on Wednesday, there was a late change for the Lions, Henry Pollock withdrawing with a tight calf as a precaution.
That resulted in captain Tadhg Beirne moving from lock to blindside flanker, with Scott Cummings promoted from the bench.
Duhan van der Merwe was brought into the 23 for an unexpected chance.
In many ways it was a repeat of what had gone before with the 2025 Lions, with lots of possession, lots of promising field position but not nearly enough to show for it.
The mistake count was off the scale. The amount of dropped balls and turnovers lost was concerning for a team that is now four games into the tour and with the Test series looming large in just two weeks' time.
Advertisement
They had the Waratahs scrum in trouble for much of the evening - a rare positive - but their handling errors checked their progress and their discipline weakened badly.
At times it felt as if they were firing it around indiscriminately with little thought about building pressure and momentum. Against a notably weakened Waratahs side, it was pretty underwhelming.
The Lions had made a promising start when Sione Tuipulotu came up as first receiver and found his Scotland and Glasgow midfield partner Jones on his shoulder.
Jones glided over with ease and when Smith converted, it looked promising.
Mitchell tried to spark the Lions into life in the second half [Getty Images]
Despite that good start, there was a desperation to the Lions' play that led to errors. They were lateral and error-prone - and with each bout of angst, the Waratahs' belief started to rise.
Advertisement
Midway through the first half they set up camp in the Lions 22, one penalty giving way to another then another. In that passage the tourists were penalised four times, but escaped a yellow card. The majority of the crowd inside Allianz Stadium did not approve, to say the least.
The Waratahs thought they had punished the Lions when Charlie Gamble blasted over in the corner, but the home side were penalised for obstruction. It was another lucky escape for the Lions following the avoidance of yellow card.
Jones got his second try when the siege was lifted - his lovely footwork from close range taking him outside his defender. Smith's conversion put a gloss on the scoreboard, which read 14-0 to the Lions.
That did not last. The next time the Waratahs had a chance, they took it. Taniela Tupou and Rob Leota did brilliantly in the lead-up as they put Lancaster in down the left.
Advertisement
Keenan, in an awful moment on a rough night for the Ireland full-back, missed his tackle and Lancaster scored. The try was a touch fortunate. It looked as if Mack Hansen had been taken out illegally earlier in the move.
They struck again early in the second half when hooker Dobbins got on the end of a rumble and reached out to score. Again, the Waratahs failed with the extras, which was just as well for the Lions. They were leading 14-10 but toiling badly.
Mitchell, who was excellent, dummied his way over for the Lions' third after the Waratahs made a mess of a tap penalty.
Mitchell was clinical in taking his chance and Smith added the conversion.
Advertisement
Things were beginning to look a little more like it but then the error mountain came again. Turnover upon turnover, scattergun stuff after scattergun stuff.
The victory was secured, but the Wallabies watching on will have enjoyed every second of it with the first Test in a fortnight's time.
Owen Farrell joined the Lions for the first time after arriving in Australia as a replacement for Elliot Daly [Getty Images]
Line-ups
NSW Waratahs: Creighton; Kellaway, Foketi, Walton, Lancaster; Bowen, Wilson; Lambert, Dobbins, Tupou, Lee-Warner, Amatosero, Leota, Gamble, Sinclair.
Replacements: Vailanu, Barrett, Botha, Philip, Adamson, Grant, Edmed, O'Donnell.
British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Kinghorn; Smith, Mitchell; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Bealham, Cummings, Ryan, Beirne, Van der Flier, Earl.
Advertisement
Replacements: Sheehan, Genge, Furlong, McCarthy, Morgan, White, M Smith, Van der Merwe.
Match officials
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pat Cummins makes call on Sam Konstas after Aussie batting woes continue
Pat Cummins has thrown his support behind Sam Konstas following the 19-year-old's struggles upon his return to the Aussie XI with the bowlers once again saving the batting line-up. Australia sealed the series against the West Indies with a 133-run victory to help the visitors retain the Frank Worrell Trophy with a 2-0 triumph. Although it was down to the bowlers to once again save the day for Australia with a number of the batters falling cheaply in Grenada. In a similar pattern to the first Test match, the bowlers were called upon to dismiss the West Indies in the final innings albeit with a few more runs to defend this time around. Defending a total of 277 runs, Starc took control of the series taking 3-28 in eight overs. Nathan Lyon chipped in with 3-42 to take down the tail after Pat Cummins shined in the first innings. And while a number of batters chipped in with half-centuries in Grenada, including Steve Smith and Cameron Green, it was Konstas' struggles that grabbed the attention. Konstas was brought back into the starting XI for the first time since the SCG clash against India after Marnus Labuschagne was dropped. Konstas was told he would have an extended run in the side to prove himself, but has immediately struggled at the top of the order. Konstas has scored 33 runs across four innings with 25 his highest total. The 19-year-old has looked short of confidence having put his aggressive approach to batting behind him as he looks to build into innings. One of the concerning moments of the match was Konstas looking shattered after his duck in the second innings. The 19-year-old trudged off the field after his four-ball duck and looked disappointed with his dismissal. Coach Andrew McDonald quickly left the balcony in what appeared to be a move to go and support the youngster. And Cummins has also done just that having defended the new opener ahead of the upcoming Ashes series. The captain said he wants Konstas to play with freedom having been selected off the back of his talent. "Don't get too caught up in it," Cummins said of his advice for Konstas after the duck. "Every innings feels like the biggest thing in the world. "The stat is that the best batters in the world don't hit their average three out of four times, so you're going to fail more often than you're going to succeed. As long as you're a quick learner, as long as you're moving well and giving yourself the best chance, keep doubling down on that and judge yourself after a series, not innings by innings." Cummins then doubled down and claimed he was convinced Konstas had the talent to be in the side. "For anyone who's starting out their Test career, you're picked for a reason," Cummins added. "It's just about concentrating on what makes you a really good player." I feel for Sam Konstas. I really do. Thought he might have been set up to fail a bit by all the hype last summer before his (probably premature) selection. Hopefully he'll work out a way through it. — Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) July 4, 2025 All the bowlers got amongst the wickets in both innings in Grenada having restricted the West Indies to 396 runs across both innings. And while the bowlers continue to do their job, more questions are being asked of the batters. Steve Smith saved Australia in the second innings with 71 runs, while Cameron Green was able to finally post a half-century as Australia posted 243. Alex Carey scored the most runs for Australia across the match, while Beau Webster formed a partnership with the wicketkeeper in the first innings to save the side. But Australia's opening pair once against struggled against the new ball. Usman Khawaja has struggled in recent times against quicks and posted scores of 16 and two in Grenada. Konstas didn't do much better posting 25 and 0 as question marks remain over the opening pair heading into the Ashes. Konstas has one more Test match in Kingston to prove to the selectors he is the man for the job heading into the Ashes. While Konstas appears to be given an extended run in the side, building confidence with some runs will be deemed important with only one more Test match left before England visit later this year.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Dogs urged to make brutal call on Galvin as fans all say same thing about replacement
Former Bulldogs player Michael Ennis has suggested the club might be better keeping Lachie Galvin in reserve grade until next season, while Cameron Smith and Andrew Johns have also weighed in on the situation. And Latu Fainu showed on Sunday the future is still bright for the Wests Tigers despite Galvin's departure. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo made a curious decision to switch Matt Burton to the centres on Friday night against the Broncos so Galvin could start at five-eighth. But the move didn't exactly work, as the Dogs coughed up an 18-0 lead to lose 22-18. It came after Ciraldo's decision to insert Galvin into the halves off the bench against the Panthers also backfired, leading to an 8-6 loss. Questions are now being asked about the best way for the Bulldogs to utilise Galvin going forward. The 19-year-old will become the starting halfback in 2026 when Toby Sexton moves to the Catalans Dragons in France. But for the time being, the tactic of starting Galvin on the bench and then moving Sexton to hooker mid-game doesn't seem to be working. Speaking in commentary for Fox League, Ennis suggested Ciraldo might need to take his medicine and leave Galvin out of the first-grade team. 'What they do with Galvin, he's either on the bench or playing in reserve grade … that's the decision they have to make at the moment." Ennis said the ideal scenario would be for Galvin to come back into the first-grade set-up in the pre-season. "Ideally, Galvin comes in the pre-season and they get a full pre-season to develop him,' Ennis said. 'That's not the case, he's walked into a side that's leading the competition with Sexton and Burton in great form as the halves pairing. 'Reed Mahoney and Bailey Haywood compliment each other around the ruck. That spine is so stable, the game plan they look to execute, they execute it.' On the Sunday Footy Show, Smith said: "If they do that, and Galvin has a bench spot, I reckon they need to find or identify a particular spot he plays. I think the rotation where Mahoney comes off, Sexton goes to 9, I don't think that works." RELATED: Wife's revelation about Cameron Munster amid family tragedy Family first as Panthers star withdraws from representative games But Smith and Johns both predicted that Sexton might be axed this week and Galvin handed the No.7 role. "I think they'll go with Galvin, I think he'll play halfback," Johns said. "It's hard for them to judge, the first half they looked really good but second half they dropped that much ball but with him moving on I think they'll go Galvin and Burton." Smith added: "I think they will as well, but it's a really tough call on Toby Sexton. They're still sitting top two, he's been their No.7 for the first half of the season and he's got them into the position they're in right now. To gain a player halfway through the season like Lachie Galvin, as good as Lachie Galvin is, it's a tough call on Toby Sexton to say: 'Righto mate, thanks for that first half of the year, out you go'." Meanwhile, Tigers fans were frothing over the performance of Fainu on Sunday as the Tigers shocked the Roosters 30-28. Stepping up in the absence of Jarome Luai due to State of Origin duty, Fainu was brilliant as he scored a try and had a hand in multiple others. It led fans to suggest the Tigers made the right call in letting Galvin walk early if it means Fainu gets more regular playing time. "Regardless of the result, just the way the boys turned up today and actually fought, backs against the wall, given no chance, young side, new spine, players out of position," coach Benji Marshall said. "We showed for most of that game a lot of the things we've been good at for the last four or five weeks. I'm just proud of the boys' effort." Latu Fainu is 100 miles better player than Galvin will ever be and don't @me!!! @9_Moley — Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) July 6, 2025 Latu Fainu > Lachie Galvin#NRLRoostersTigers — Morty 🌵 (@user26194735) July 6, 2025 If we're serious about the way Wests get absolutely hammered in the media, then surely we're all agreeing that they got letting Galvin walk now absolutely correct based on what we've seen from Latu Fainu — Brenden (@brendenfingers) July 6, 2025 @WestsTigers fansDon't sweat Galvin, Da Silva or even Luai anymore, your future is right there in Lati Fainu @ halfback #NRLRoostersTigers — Wazza (@WarrenJB3) July 6, 2025
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Shock call on tackle that injured Brandon Smith
Sea Eagles veteran Matt Lodge has avoided a charge for a tackle that may have ended Brandon Smith's season, with the prop forward receiving support from the injured star who was adamant there was 'nothing wrong' with the contact. Smith suffered suspected medial ligament damage to his right knee, with early fears that he could miss 6-8 weeks in what was his first game back from an ACL injury that ended his 2024 campaign. The former Rooster made the move to South Sydney earlier this season and was five minutes away from getting through his first match when he was caught awkwardly in a tackle close to the line. Smith knew something was wrong immediately, with play stopped as the club's medical staff helped him off the field where he limped up the tunnel. No penalty was given at the time, and Lodge hasn't been charged for dangerous contact despite plenty of people thinking he had performed a hip-drop tackle. Smith, however, posted on social media that Lodge had done nothing wrong. 'So happy to be back,' Smith posted on Instagram on Sunday night. 'Wasn't how I wanted it to go, but back playing the game I love. 'Just want to make sure everyone understands Matt Lodge done (sic) nothing wrong. It was an accident. 'We are friends, and if you watch, you can see nothing was wrong so please leave him alone. This stuff happens all the time. 'Much love and thanks for all the nice messages.' Lodge's weight landed on the ground before his upper body appeared to pin Smith's leg, which caused the injury. The match review committee looked at the incident and deemed the tackle didn't meet the criteria of a hip drop, with Souths coach Wayne Bennett not overly pleased with the call on Sunday night. 'It's up to (the NRL) to decide, but we're not playing with a lot of luck, and we didn't get any there from that decision either,' Bennett said, having voiced his frustrations over hip-drop inconsistencies earlier this year. 'I'm frustrated by a lot of things right now, but it's not going to do me any good. 'He's happy that it's only six to eight weeks instead of eight months. At least he can see the light at the end of the tunnel this time.' There were no charges from Sunday's matches.
