6 days ago
Nervy Lions hang on after rough night in Melbourne
First Nations and Pasifika XV (14) 19Tries: Reilly, Uru Cons: Beale 2 British and Irish Lions (14) 24Tries: Osborne 2, Graham, Van der Merwe Cons: F Smith 2
The British and Irish Lions survived a serious examination against First Nations and Pasifika to continue their winning run on Australian a nervy night at the Marvel Stadium, Jamie Osborne and Darcy Graham scored early to put the Lions into what looked like a commanding 14-0 lead, but things started to go awry from went off hurt not long after he scored and the wing, parachuted in for this game, was emotional as he left the then thundered their way into contention when wing Triston Reilly and flanker Seru Uru went over for converted scores to level it at 14-14 at the Lions experienced all sorts of problems in dealing with the physicality of their hosts, but Osborne's second put them back in front. Just after the hour mark, Duhan van der Merwe scored in the corner, his fifth try of the tour, from captain Owen Farrell's lovely delayed pass but back came the 10 minutes left, Pasifika scored when Rob Leota piled over after another bombardment. The conversion was missed, much to the Lions relief, and the gap was at five it stayed on a bruising and troubling night for the tourists.
Line-ups
First Nations & Pasifika XV: Muirhead; Reilly, Foketi, Feliuai, Daugunu; Beale (capt), Thomas; Ieli, Paenga-Amosa, Tupou, Swain, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Gamble, TualimaReplacements: Asiata, Pearce, Doge, Vocevoce, Leota, Goddard, Debreczeni, McLeodBritish and Irish Lions: Kinghorn; Graham, Osborne, Farrell (capt), Van der Merwe; F Smith, White; Schoeman, George, Bealham, Ryan, Cummings, Morgan, Van der Flier, PollockReplacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Clarkson, Brown, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Ringrose
Match officials
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)Assistant Referee 1: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ)Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (Ita)TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Richard Kelly (NZ)
