A great half from the Lions, with some real flair in the attack and great performances from van der Merwe and Hansen especially.
The tourists have made 295m compared to AUNZ’s 104.
In defence, there was some great line speed amidst a disciplined defensive showing, with 92 tackles made and 10 missed to the AUNZ’s 57 and 16.
Chris Wilson12 July 2025 11:56
Stevenson does well to prevent a 50-22 before Havili does well himself with a lovely kick that just about dribbles out.
The Lions have the line-out on their own 22, and they kick long.
Chris Wilson12 July 2025 11:48
Ronan Kelleher is on for Cowan-Dickie, who heads off on a stretcher. He’ll be a doubt for next week’s first Test.
Chris Wilson12 July 2025 11:44
A little less action over the last five minutes as the AUNZ move forward. Stevenson tries the grubber but it’s swept up by the Lions defence, who kick for touch eventually.
The hosts win the line-out and Keenan can’t catch it, with Laumape collecting.
We have a break as Cowan-Dickie is checked after colliding with Salakaia-Loto.
A knee to the head it looks like – the Lions number 2 was very, very low in the tackle.
Chris Wilson12 July 2025 11:40
How has this not ended in a try?
Brilliant play from the Lions, who work it through the hands before Jones breaks the line. He’s taken down eventually but he’s done enough to give the Lions the extra man – Hansen breaks through and tries to offload, but he can’t get the clean pass to Cowan-Dickie and he fumbles it over the line.
Chris Wilson12 July 2025 11:36
The hosts are at least managing to work it through some phases now, which is a lot better than they were doing for much of the opening 20 minutes.
It’s been a disciplined, impressive performance from the tourists so far, though they’ve been guilty of letting AUNZ back into it a little more.
Tadhg Beirne is the latest culprit, nicking the ball well but then kicking it straight out.
Chris Wilson12 July 2025 11:32
Jack Rathborn12 July 2025 11:30
TRY! It’s a second for van der Merwe!
They go through a couple of phases before spotting the overlap and spreading it wide, and they work it to the Scotland winger who can go over the line unchallenged.
Chris Wilson12 July 2025 11:23