Lions Preview.
Form & fitness: After a shaky performance against Argentina in Dublin, the Lions went on to dominate their Super Rugby rivals—including a 36‑24 victory over the Brumbies. However, ongoing breakdown issues continued to pose a concern.
Selection: Andy Farrell had confirmed that Test spots were up for grabs. Ben Earl and Henry Pollock led the competition for back-row positions; Owen Farrell returned to the bench; Hugo Keenan took the field at fullback following Kinghorn’s injury.
Tactics: The emphasis had been on tightening up breakdowns and set-pieces, while maintaining their shape and defensive cohesion. This match was expected to be their toughest challenge yet before facing the Wallabies.
AUNZ Invitational XV Preview.
Historic union: This marked the first combined XV of Aussies and Kiwis since 1989, featuring 18 international caps and over 300 Test appearances. The team was coached by Les Kiss, with Ian Foster, Simon Cron, and Zane Hilton serving as assistants.
Squad strength: Notable players included Marika Koroibete, Shannon Frizell, Ngani Laumape, Hoskins Sotutu, David Havili, and Pete Samu—bringing considerable physicality
and speed to the game.
Approach: Ian Foster had mentioned that the team was assembled quickly but anticipated high energy and Anzac unity. They avoided extensive scouting of the Lions, choosing instead to focus on a free-flowing, team-oriented style of play.
First Half Analysis
The Lions started strongly, applying good pressure from the kickoff. A solid kick chase and an excellent tackle from Jac Morgan forced an early turnover—a positive start for the men in red.
Duhan van der Merwe spilled the ball in the opening minutes, continuing what had been a quiet tour for him up to that point. However, there was promising attacking play from the Lions early on. Sione Tuipulotu found space in midfield, and the centre partnership looked set to be a key talking point ahead of the first Test. With Andy Farrell expected to favour a Scottish or Irish midfield, this match was a crucial opportunity for the Scottish centres to stake their claim.
Van der Merwe quickly silenced any doubters by scoring the Lions’ first try—thanks to quick hands from Hugo Keenan, who put the big Scottish winger in the corner. The Lions had been dominating the kicking battle in the opening 15 minutes.
Ben White impressed with a sharp break from the base of the ruck, showing exactly why he had earned his place in the star-studded squad.
The AUNZ Invitational XV then applied pressure with a series of well-placed attacking kicks into the Lions’ 22, posing a clear threat. Still, the Lions’ defence stood strong—this had been their sharpest start to any match on tour so far.
Henry Pollock was held up after a brilliant run from Mack Hansen, who beat three defenders down the right wing. Shortly after, van der Merwe added a second try—another outstanding team effort. However, Finn Smith missed a few conversion attempts.
A controversial turnover by Huw Jones prevented AUNZ from scoring a near-certain try. The Scottish centre pairing continued to link up effectively, with Jones powering through a gap. The ball was recycled, but Luke Cowan-Dickie spilled it over the line.
Van der Merwe lost the ball again under pressure in the backfield, though fortunately it went backwards, allowing him to recover and clear to touch. His discomfort under the high ball was something Andy Farrell would surely have noted ahead of the Test series.
Cowan-Dickie later took a heavy knee to the head and appeared to be unconscious. He was stretchered off the field in a neck brace—worrying scenes for the Sale Sharks hooker. Ronan Kelleher came on as his replacement.
Overall, it had been a very impressive first half from the Lions—both in attack and defence. Their most complete performance of the tour to that point.
Score: Lions 17-0 AUNZ Invitational XV.
Second Half Analysis.
Ben Earl made a powerful early break, showcasing his trademark speed and strength, but unfortunately lost control of the ball in contact. The loose ball was chased down by Huw Jones, whose quick thinking and smart kick forward kept the Lions on the front foot. Sione Tuipulotu opened the scoring in the second half, capping off a sustained period of pressure. The Lions showed patience in attack, and the centre was rewarded with a
relatively straightforward finish.
AUNZ posed their first real attacking threat of the half when they worked their way to the Lions’ tryline, but an accidental obstruction handed a relieving penalty to the men in red. Owen Farrell was introduced to a chorus of boos from sections of the crowd—a reaction not unfamiliar to the experienced playmaker, whose presence still carries significant weight in any Lions side.
The Lions scrum, which had been dominant in earlier tour matches, appeared less effective in this fixture, conceding ground and penalties at key moments. Finlay Bealham was penalised at scrum time during one of AUNZ’s few spells of pressure.
Henry Pollock once again showed his flair with another clever chip and chase, underlining his growing reputation as a player with genuine X-factor. Ben White nearly crossed for another try following a sharp break, but the final pass was ruled forward.
There was a positive moment off the field as Luke Cowan-Dickie was pictured walking and smiling on the sideline—a welcome sight after his concerning first-half head knock. The tries kept coming for the Lions. Scott Cummings ran a hard line off Ben White and powered over for a well-worked score, as the Scots continued to take centre stage. Duhan van der Merwe completed his hat-trick, further underlining his impact after a quiet start to the tour. It was a commanding performance from the winger and a memorable day for the Scottish contingent.
Ronan Kelleher added his name to the scoresheet with a clever finish off a quick lineout, catching the AUNZ defence napping.
Henry Pollock then capped a sensational performance with a try of his own—diving for the line and managing to get a fingertip to the bouncing ball to score. At just 20 years old, he delivered a performance that will surely catch Andy Farrell’s attention ahead of Test selection.
Final Score: British & Irish Lions 48–0 AUNZ Invitational XV.
