Preview.
The opening Test of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia had been one of the most eagerly awaited rugby clashes in recent memory. Twelve years had passed since the Lions last faced the Wallabies in a Test match, and anticipation had reached fever pitch across both hemispheres in the lead-up to the Brisbane curtain-raiser.
Andy Farrell had dominated headlines with his bold team selection. He struck a fine balance between youth and experience, naming powerful forwards such as Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tom Curry, and Jack Conan in the pack. In the backline, Finn Russell pulled the strings from fly-half, linking up with his dynamic Scottish compatriots, Sione Tuipolotu and
Huw Jones, in a creative midfield trio designed to challenge Australia’s defensive organisation.
For the hosts, Joe Schmidt had injected renewed purpose and intensity into the Wallabies setup since taking the reins. His first Test lineup blended pace, power, and promise — with strike runners like Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tom Wright complementing the hardened physicality of Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou. Australia had come into the series under
pressure, desperate to re-establish credibility and reconnect with their home support after a turbulent few years.
In the build-up, pundits and former players had dissected every angle — from scrum dominance and lineout efficiency to breakdown battles and kicking strategy. Much of the focus had centred on whether the Lions could impose a structured, territorial game — using Russell’s vision, a ferocious kick-chase, and the tireless work of the back row to wrestle
control. The Wallabies, meanwhile, had promised to play with tempo and ambition, aiming to stretch the Lions’ defence and exploit space in the wider channels.
Media attention had also zeroed in on individual matchups: the midfield showdown between Tuipolotu and Joseph Sua’ali’i, the heavyweight back-row collisions involving Curry, Beirne, McReight, and Valetini, and the tactical duel between two of the most respected coaching minds in world rugby. As kick-off approached, a vibrant Brisbane crowd — a sea of gold and
red — generated an atmosphere as intense as it was emotional.
The stage was set for a classic. A bruising encounter steeped in history, pride, and tradition. And as the referee’s whistle signalled the start of the 2025 Test series, rugby fans across the globe knew they were witnessing the beginning of something unforgettable.
Kick Off.
The Lions made a statement right from the first whistle. Tom Curry set the tone with a thunderous hit, and Tadhg Beirne was quickly over the ball to win a turnover penalty. Finn Russell calmly slotted the three points — a perfect start for the tourists.
Australia responded with intent. Tom Lynagh showed confidence early on, darting through a gap in the Lions’ defensive line. But it was Russell who continued to justify his selection at fly-half, producing a brilliant 50:22 to pin the Wallabies deep in their own half.
Moments later, Russell produced a moment of magic. Spotting space out wide, he delivered a sublime floating pass to Sione Tuipolotu, who strolled over for the Lions’ first try. It was champagne rugby — and a sign of things to come.
The Lions were dominant in the collisions, generating quick ball and controlling the tempo. James Lowe briefly let the pressure off when he kicked the ball dead, offering some relief for the Wallabies, but the Lions’ momentum continued to build. Beirne won another turnover, underlining his explosive start to the game.
Huw Jones appeared to have added another try following a slick attack, but it was chalked off after he was judged to have been held in the tackle before getting back to his feet. After incisive breaks from Tuipolotu and Ellis Genge, tensions boiled over and a scuffle broke out between both sides — a sign of the intensity on show.
Australia found some relief through the scrum, earning a penalty and kicking to the corner. From the resulting pressure, Max Jorgensen struck back. The young winger soared above Hugo Keenan to claim a high ball and finish superbly in the corner. It was an excellent individual effort, narrowing the score to 10–5 in favour of the Lions.
The response from the Lions was immediate. They piled on the pressure once again, launching a barrage of attacks. A pinpoint cross-kick from Russell just missed its target, and another golden chance went begging when James Lowe ignored a clear overlap and took the ball into contact.
But the breakthrough wasn’t far off. After multiple phases of relentless forward carries, Tom Curry powered over the line to score the Lions’ second try. With Russell adding the extras, the Lions extended their lead to 17–5.
Half Time
Jamison Gibson-Park continued his superb kicking display into the second half, launching an excellent box kick straight from the restart — a moment of calm and precision that set the tone early on.
The Lions struck immediately. Starting from deep in their own half, Tom Curry gathered clean ball off the back of a lineout and charged forward, sparking a flowing move. The ball was worked wide with pace and precision, and Dan Sheehan finished brilliantly in the corner.It was a dream start to the second half for the Lions.
Australia struggled to generate any momentum. The Lions’ aggressive blitz defence was cutting down their time and space, leaving the Wallabies with little to work with. By the 50th minute, the hosts began to edge forward with a few half-breaks, but they still couldn’t find a way through the red wall.
A high tackle from Tom Curry gave the Wallabies a rare opportunity. They kicked to the corner — their first real attacking chance of the half — but the Lions’ defence held firm, managing to hold the ball up over the line.
However, discipline started to slip for the visitors. The Lions gave away multiple penalties in their own 22, and the referee warned that the next infringement would result in a yellow card. Joseph Sua’ali’i thought he had scored, powering over the line under pressure. But after a TMO review, the try was disallowed — the centre had failed to release the ball before
grounding it.
Australia maintained pressure and came close again moments later through a cross-kick, but the execution was just off. Still, they had a penalty advantage to fall back on, and from the resulting phases, their persistence finally paid off. After a sustained barrage on the Lions’ try line, Carlo Tizzano crashed over to score. The Wallabies narrowed the gap, but the Lions
still held the lead.
A response came swiftly. When Australia conceded a penalty directly under their own posts, Marcus Smith, now on at fly-half, calmly knocked over three more points to extend the lead. Lions 27–12 Australia.
As the game edged toward its conclusion, the energy inside the stadium dipped. The scoreline lacked the tight drama typical of a Lions Test, and the match began to fizzle rather than ignite.
Tate McDermott added a late try for Australia, injecting a brief spark with his sharp pace off the bench. But it was too little, too late.
Full-time: British & Irish Lions 27 – 19 Australia.
The Lions had controlled the game for large spells, combining physical dominance with flashes of brilliance. It may not have had the nail-biting finish expected of a series opener, but it was a statement performance nonetheless.
