Latest news with #IainPayten
The Age
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Lions Tour LIVE: Can the Brumbies take down the Lions again?
Latest posts Latest posts 7.33pm Teams as listed ... So here are the teams for tonight, and they're as listed. Take a look at that Lions side. If it looks suspiciously full strength, you'd be on the money. All the British media have labelled the side for this Brumbies clash as 'testy' … namely this is the core of the first Test team to meet the Wallabies on July 19 in Brisbane. Interestingly, this last midweek game in previous tours would have seen the Lions 'B' team rolled out (if there such a thing on a Lions tour) and the Test team would be used on the Saturday. It's usually known as 'the Saturday team'. But Farrell has flipped the script a bit on this trip. He has played the stronger unit midweek, against the stronger opponents Queensland and the Brumbies, and the lesser side against NSW and (presumably) the AUNZ team. It will give the Lions top guys a 10-day break before the first Test. The Brumbies are missing a big chunk of their regular starting team: names like Ikitau, Lolesio, Alaalatoa, Frost, Pollard, Slipper. So they'll be up against it. ACT BRUMBIES v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TEAMS BRUMBIES (15-1): Andy Muirhead; Ben O'Donnell, Ollie Sapsford, David Feliuai, Corey Toole; Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan (capt); Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper; Cadeyrn Neville, Lachie Shaw; Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli Replacements: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS (15-1): Blair Kinghorn; Tommy Freeman, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Ollie Chessum; Joe McCarthy, Maro Itoje (capt); Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR) Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Nika Amashukeli (GRU) TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) 7.32pm Welcome to the (cold) jungle By Iain Payten Good evening sports fans, and welcome to the live blog of the Brumbies-Lions clash in Canberra. My name is Iain Payten and I will be blog master tonight. Our man from the heart of Ulster territory, Jonathan Drennan, is at GIO Stadium and will provide us with updates and match reports. It's cold as a polar bear's paw in Canberra but you can't wipe the smile of Dr Dre's face. Great to to have you here. Clearly you are a true believer. Feel free to check in on the score of the other game going on tonight - there's a good blog going on the SMH - but don't drift too far. For the record, this Lions schedule was locked in two years ago and the rugba leeg bosses had second bite at the cherry. They chose the same night. Anyway, this promises to be a cracker. The Lions have named a very strong outfit and no doubt that's because this is the Australian venue they hate the most. In 2013, the Brumbies downed 14-12 the Lions in a massive upset and became the first provincial side to get the job done in the professional era. And the Brumbies only lost by 2 in 2001. Can they have a crack again tonight? Have a vote.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Lions Tour LIVE: Can the Brumbies take down the Lions again?
Latest posts Latest posts 7.33pm Teams as listed ... So here are the teams for tonight, and they're as listed. Take a look at that Lions side. If it looks suspiciously full strength, you'd be on the money. All the British media have labelled the side for this Brumbies clash as 'testy' … namely this is the core of the first Test team to meet the Wallabies on July 19 in Brisbane. Interestingly, this last midweek game in previous tours would have seen the Lions 'B' team rolled out (if there such a thing on a Lions tour) and the Test team would be used on the Saturday. It's usually known as 'the Saturday team'. But Farrell has flipped the script a bit on this trip. He has played the stronger unit midweek, against the stronger opponents Queensland and the Brumbies, and the lesser side against NSW and (presumably) the AUNZ team. It will give the Lions top guys a 10-day break before the first Test. The Brumbies are missing a big chunk of their regular starting team: names like Ikitau, Lolesio, Alaalatoa, Frost, Pollard, Slipper. So they'll be up against it. ACT BRUMBIES v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TEAMS BRUMBIES (15-1): Andy Muirhead; Ben O'Donnell, Ollie Sapsford, David Feliuai, Corey Toole; Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan (capt); Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper; Cadeyrn Neville, Lachie Shaw; Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli Replacements: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS (15-1): Blair Kinghorn; Tommy Freeman, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Ollie Chessum; Joe McCarthy, Maro Itoje (capt); Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR) Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Nika Amashukeli (GRU) TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) 7.32pm Welcome to the (cold) jungle By Iain Payten Good evening sports fans, and welcome to the live blog of the Brumbies-Lions clash in Canberra. My name is Iain Payten and I will be blog master tonight. Our man from the heart of Ulster territory, Jonathan Drennan, is at GIO Stadium and will provide us with updates and match reports. It's cold as a polar bear's paw in Canberra but you can't wipe the smile of Dr Dre's face. Great to to have you here. Clearly you are a true believer. Feel free to check in on the score of the other game going on tonight - there's a good blog going on the SMH - but don't drift too far. For the record, this Lions schedule was locked in two years ago and the rugba leeg bosses had second bite at the cherry. They chose the same night. Anyway, this promises to be a cracker. The Lions have named a very strong outfit and no doubt that's because this is the Australian venue they hate the most. In 2013, the Brumbies downed 14-12 the Lions in a massive upset and became the first provincial side to get the job done in the professional era. And the Brumbies only lost by 2 in 2001. Can they have a crack again tonight? Have a vote.
Sydney Morning Herald
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Lions Tour LIVE updates: Waratahs go head-to-head with Lions in Sydney
Latest posts Latest posts 7.30pm Kiwis sneak home against France 'B' team Iain Payten Interesting result across the ditch, with the All Blacks only just getting home 31-27 against a severely depleted French side. Controversially, France sent a squad with 17 uncapped players due to the powerful clubs refusing to release a host of stars. Kiwi commentators have been irate, but the France reggies almost pulled off a massive upset in Dunedin. The game on a knife edge for the last quarter, with New Zealand leading 28-27. But All Blacks star Beauden Barrett slotted a late penalty to seal a too-close-for-comfort victory. 7.30pm Late change for Lions - Pollock out By Iain Payten Here are the teams for the Tahs and Lions. As you can see, the Lions look exceptionally strong, with a couple of familiar names in the starting team: Mack Hansen, Finlay Bealham and Sione Tuipulotu were all raised in Australia before finding their way to Ireland and Scotland to play Test rugby. There has been a late change for the Lions: young backrower Henry Pollock has been withdrawn with a tight calf, meaning skipper Tadgh Beirne moves from lock to no.6, and Scott Cummings comes into the second row. Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan are both playing their first matches on tour, as well, and are both sharp with the ball in hand. As with other Aussie sides, the Waratahs are down on Wallaby troops but there are a couple of key men in key spots. Taniela Tupou is starting at tighthead and you'd have to think his Test chances ride heavily on a strong showing here. Andrew Kellaway has also come back from the Wallabies and will be a key man to bring calm and composure. So too will backrower Rob Leota, and new Tahs recruit Matt Philip, who'll bring presence from the bench. Interestingly, Wallabies squad member Tane Edmed is not starting at no.10, however. Jack Bowen will start and Edmed - who is heading to the Brumbies next year - will come from the pine. WARATAHS (15-1): Lawson Creighton; Andrew Kellaway, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Darby Lancaster; Jack Bowen, Teddy Wilson; Hugh Sinclair (capt), Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota; Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner; Taniela Tupou, Ethan Dobbins, Tom Lambert Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Jack Barrett, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Henry O'Donnell LIONS (15-1): Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Blair Kinghorn, Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne (c), James Ryan, Scott Cummings, Finlay Bealham, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Pierre Schoeman Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Duhan van der Merwe, Jac Morgan, Ben White, Marcus Smith Referee: Paul Williams (NZR) Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Angus Mabey (NZR) TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR) FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) 7.29pm Welcome to the jungle By Iain Payten Good evening fans and welcome to a massive night of rugby. The British and Irish Lions tour of Australia has arrived at its third stop - Sydney - and a clash with the Waratahs. My name is Iain Payten and I will be your blogging buddy, and the expert comments and match report will come from our reverse-Lion - the Herald's own project player from norn Iron, Jonathan Drennan. This NSW-Lions game has been, historically, very spicy. Who can forget the infamous 2001 fixture when Duncan McRae was red-carded for punching the tripe out of Lions five-eighth Ronan O'Gara? Yes, we went straight there. O'Gara has kept a low profile on this tour but here's a yarn with him ahead of the 2013 tour. The 2001 game was a generally ill-tempered affair, and though they ended up losing 41-24, the then-Waratahs captain Phil Waugh proudly mentioned in a post-match function that they'd taken lumps out of the Lions. Waugh is, of course, now chief executive of Rugby Australia. It's unclear if he put his hand up to play tonight but there's about a 50% chance he did. NSW have not beaten the Lions since the 12-year cycle began in 1989, but in 20 clashes overall since 1888, NSW have four wins: 1908, 1930, 1950 and 1959. The Waratahs tonight are not favoured to bring a fifth win. That much is clear from the bookies, who have them at $ do we reckon is going to happen? Have your say in the poll.
The Age
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Lions Tour LIVE updates: Waratahs go head-to-head with Lions in Sydney
Latest posts Latest posts 7.30pm Kiwis sneak home against France 'B' team Iain Payten Interesting result across the ditch, with the All Blacks only just getting home 31-27 against a severely depleted French side. Controversially, France sent a squad with 17 uncapped players due to the powerful clubs refusing to release a host of stars. Kiwi commentators have been irate, but the France reggies almost pulled off a massive upset in Dunedin. The game on a knife edge for the last quarter, with New Zealand leading 28-27. But All Blacks star Beauden Barrett slotted a late penalty to seal a too-close-for-comfort victory. 7.30pm Late change for Lions - Pollock out By Iain Payten Here are the teams for the Tahs and Lions. As you can see, the Lions look exceptionally strong, with a couple of familiar names in the starting team: Mack Hansen, Finlay Bealham and Sione Tuipulotu were all raised in Australia before finding their way to Ireland and Scotland to play Test rugby. There has been a late change for the Lions: young backrower Henry Pollock has been withdrawn with a tight calf, meaning skipper Tadgh Beirne moves from lock to no.6, and Scott Cummings comes into the second row. Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan are both playing their first matches on tour, as well, and are both sharp with the ball in hand. As with other Aussie sides, the Waratahs are down on Wallaby troops but there are a couple of key men in key spots. Taniela Tupou is starting at tighthead and you'd have to think his Test chances ride heavily on a strong showing here. Andrew Kellaway has also come back from the Wallabies and will be a key man to bring calm and composure. So too will backrower Rob Leota, and new Tahs recruit Matt Philip, who'll bring presence from the bench. Interestingly, Wallabies squad member Tane Edmed is not starting at no.10, however. Jack Bowen will start and Edmed - who is heading to the Brumbies next year - will come from the pine. WARATAHS (15-1): Lawson Creighton; Andrew Kellaway, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Darby Lancaster; Jack Bowen, Teddy Wilson; Hugh Sinclair (capt), Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota; Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner; Taniela Tupou, Ethan Dobbins, Tom Lambert Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Jack Barrett, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Henry O'Donnell LIONS (15-1): Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Blair Kinghorn, Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne (c), James Ryan, Scott Cummings, Finlay Bealham, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Pierre Schoeman Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Duhan van der Merwe, Jac Morgan, Ben White, Marcus Smith Referee: Paul Williams (NZR) Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Angus Mabey (NZR) TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR) FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) 7.29pm Welcome to the jungle By Iain Payten Good evening fans and welcome to a massive night of rugby. The British and Irish Lions tour of Australia has arrived at its third stop - Sydney - and a clash with the Waratahs. My name is Iain Payten and I will be your blogging buddy, and the expert comments and match report will come from our reverse-Lion - the Herald's own project player from norn Iron, Jonathan Drennan. This NSW-Lions game has been, historically, very spicy. Who can forget the infamous 2001 fixture when Duncan McRae was red-carded for punching the tripe out of Lions five-eighth Ronan O'Gara? Yes, we went straight there. O'Gara has kept a low profile on this tour but here's a yarn with him ahead of the 2013 tour. The 2001 game was a generally ill-tempered affair, and though they ended up losing 41-24, the then-Waratahs captain Phil Waugh proudly mentioned in a post-match function that they'd taken lumps out of the Lions. Waugh is, of course, now chief executive of Rugby Australia. It's unclear if he put his hand up to play tonight but there's about a 50% chance he did. NSW have not beaten the Lions since the 12-year cycle began in 1989, but in 20 clashes overall since 1888, NSW have four wins: 1908, 1930, 1950 and 1959. The Waratahs tonight are not favoured to bring a fifth win. That much is clear from the bookies, who have them at $ do we reckon is going to happen? Have your say in the poll.
Sydney Morning Herald
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ruthless Lions crush Reds but pick up more injury concerns
Latest posts Latest posts yesterday 10.15pm Match report: Reds 12 Lions 52 By Iain Payten For a moment, Reds fans dared to dream. After 25 minutes Queensland led the British and Irish by two tries to one and a lively Suncorp Stadium was up and about. But then reality bit. And bit hard. Fast-forward to the 80th minute and the Lions had scored the next 45 points, finishing up as 52-12 winners in an ominous performance for the Wallabies squad watching on in Newcastle. Just how many of the same Lions team will be back on deck in Brisbane on July 19 for the first Test remains to be seen, but the quality of display from almost every Lion who has played so far on tour suggests the potency is squad-wide. Captain Maro Itoje was particularly immense, however, and he led from the front in a physically dominant Lions pack. The visitors were left with some injury concern, however, with fullback Elliot Daly leaving the field with a potential broken arm, suffered while tackling Jock Campbell. Lions coach Andy Farrell said Daly was taken to hospital for an x-ray but his third Lions tour appears now in grave jeopardy. Queensland mounted a spirited display in the opening half-hour, and troubled the Lions with a mix of hard, straight running and deceptive second-wave shapes creating space in the wider channels. And two tries to Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen and Josh Flook gave hope to the home fans that a memorable night was brewing. But a gap in class soon emerged, and it was team wearing red - not bearing the name- that really flexed their muscles. The Reds struggled to get out of their half, and via a bevy of unforced errors, skill lapses and silly decisions, allowed the Lions to build up pressure and, inevitably, points. With Finn Russell calling the shots nicely, and spreading the balls to both wings, the Lions scored twice before half-time to lead 21-12 at the break, and then they kept their foot on the pedal after oranges. The Lions scored another five tries in the second half, and the Reds were simply outgunned. As they chased the game, mountains of errors compounded the problems and allowed the Lions to cruise home. 'We put on the table that what we wanted too early, When we got that traction and a bit of momentum and we stretched them and bent them around the edges a few times,' Reds coach Les Kiss said. 'We just couldn't keep it going and a couple of momentum swings, a couple of easy exits or easy access to our half. And once they're in your on your line and then they're a difficult team to hold out.' Ruthlessly, with nothing really to be gained but more injuries, the Lions even kicked to the corner after the final siren sounded to try rack up a second consecutive half-century of points. And four minutes later they got it. Post-game, Itoje denied it was a psychological ploy, saying it was more the chance to keep playing build combinations, given their schedule doesn't allow for much training. The silver lining for Australian rugby is no Wallabies players were injured, with Matt Faessler and Hunter Paisami both coming through unscathed. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham had some strong moments but didn't knock the door down in the Dylan Pietsch mould, and Seru Uru had a forgettable game. The Lions led 21-12 at halftime after an opening half where the Reds came out firing. The initially muted crowd came alive when the Reds settled quicker than the Lions, and scored in the eighth minute after some powerful ball carrying. Hunter Paisami breached the line first, and then a big Joe Brial carry ploughed through defenders and saw the Reds on the Lions' line. Prop Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen charged over from in-close. The Lions were sloppy early, with unforced handling errors, but they still managed to keep the Reds pinned in their own half for the next ten minutes. Referee James Doleman was no friend either in the Reds' attempt to exit, with a typically baffling approach to what consistutes legal play at the breakdown. The Lions found an extra man on the right edge in the 19th minute, and Tommy Freeman scored untouched. But the Reds didn't go away, and when they got an opportunity to spend time in the Lions' quarter, they took it. Kalani Thomas grubbered a ball in behind and Josh Flook charged onto it like a train to score and re-take the lead. But it was all Lions for the rest of the half. With poor exits still a problem, the Reds came under pressure in their own red zone again soon after the re-start, and Irish prop Andrew Porter crashed over in the 28th minute. With Russell pulling the strings at no.10, the Lions kept testing the Reds' wide defences. They conceded a try when Uru used his hands in the scrum - on their feed - and gave up a penalty. High-pace phase play then saw Duhan van de Merwe get free on the left wing, and score in the quarter. The second half saw the Lions ramp up their defence, and the Reds simply couldn't make any headway. For the second match on tour, the Lions didn't concede a point after halftime. But they had no trouble rattling up their side of the scoreboard. 'I actually thought the Reds came out of the box very well, but I thought once we settled in after that, once we got a bit of continuity at times I thought we played some excellent rugby,' Farrell said. 'But if we were more clinical then obviously it would have been better for us going in at half time, certainly as far as the score line is concerned. 'I thought the Reds were pretty good, I thought they were aggressive, direct, challenging, all of that, it's not just down to us, it's down to them as well, but that's one of the learnings obviously that we need to be aware of.' Asked what tips he could give the Wallabies coaching staff, Kiss said he felt the Reds had had some success with short kicks in behind the Lions' line, to counter their strong defence. But the importance of field position and exiting your half is crucial, he added, with the power of the Lions inevitably going to take a toll when defending your own line. 'You've got to have the discipline not to let them get easily into your half, because once they get in your half, they're a difficult team to manage, Kiss said. 'They have some good strike players, they use their speed and size well of those starters, but just managing that field positions.' yesterday 10.08pm Elliot Daly clutching his arm in ice English fullback Elliot Daly has arguably been the surprise pick of the Lions and he was seen clutching his arm in ice. Hopefully, nothing too serious as Daly has brought a lot of class to the tour so far. We will keep an eye on this one.
