Returning adversaries…, …and subplots for the Wallabies, Genuine jeopardy and Graham’s tears, Handbags, hollering and needle, Awkward conundrums for the Lions…, …and tracking Test connotations, Opponents staying in the fight

Henry Pollock and Seru Uru skirmished during the feistiest match of the Lions tour - Getty Images/William West

Barring a sticky encounter against the Waratahs in Sydney, the tour fixtures on Australian soil had been straightforward for the 2025 British and Irish Lions – unsatisfyingly so, from a neutral’s perspective.

While a game between the first and second Tests always seemed inconvenient for Andy Farrell’s charges, a meeting with the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne was a far more rewarding watch.

Here are seven reasons that a proper dust-up at Marvel Stadium was the best spectacle of the trip to date.

Returning adversaries…

It is always fascinating to see players get multiple cracks at the same Lions cohort and these past weeks have afforded several individuals that opportunity.

Charlie Gamble, the moustachioed breakdown bandit, picked up where he left off for the Waratahs and proved to be a total pest at the ruck once more. Robbed of the official man-of-the-match gong on July 5 when Alex Mitchell was honoured, Gamble clinched it here. Seru Uru had an eye-catching run for the Reds and was back in the thick of things.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, on his third appearance against this crop of Lions after outings for the Reds and the AUNZ invitational side, threw his weight around as well. In the absence of Rob Valetini, Langi Gleeson and Will Skelton, Australia could have done with such spikiness and heft three days previously at Suncorp Stadium.

…and subplots for the Wallabies

Pierre Schoeman dealt Taniela Tupou a set-piece savaging in the Waratahs game but, after a shaky performance in that area in the first Test, the Lions scrum endured an unconvincing first half.

It would be a mighty shame if Tupou, a terrific talent, did not feature in the Test series before jetting off to Racing 92. In the right mood, he can be a positive influence for Australia and was whisked off five minutes into the second period. Did Joe Schmidt fire a text to Tana Umaga?

Taniela Tupou, who was taken off early in the second half hopefully with one eye on playing for the Wallabies at least from the bench, tackles Pierre Schoeman - Getty Images/Martin Keep

Genuine jeopardy and Graham’s tears

Jamie George was typically eloquent about the value of this match in the build-up, explaining how much it meant to him to wear the red shirt again. His embrace with father Ian at full-time was lovely.

Another late call-up in the starting line-up, Darcy Graham, demonstrated his emotional investment in a more heart-breaking manner. The sparky wing, who would have been in the initial squad of many punters, lasted only 16 minutes in a try-scoring cameo before limping off with an ankle injury.

Tears flowed on Graham’s trudge towards the touchline and Finn Russell was among those to comfort him.

Darcy Graham left the field in tears after suffering a tour-ending injury with a place in the Test side up for grabs - AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Handbags, hollering and needle

A couple of scraps, more meaningful than any during the first Test, punctuated the first half as well. Owen Farrell charged in to defend Graham early on, with Henry Pollock and Uru also tangling at a maul.

Salakaia-Loto, who smashed Duhan van der Merwe after chasing a high ball, shooed the Lions pack backwards after a penalty at one stage. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa even unfurled an Alan Shearer-style celebration after surging through another scrum. A touch of tetchiness is always welcome.

Awkward conundrums for the Lions…

“Proper touring”, as Andy Farrell appeared to suggest when addressing a press conference earlier this month, is about players appearing in back-to-back matches and rolling with whatever punches come their way.

In the context of the Test series, with a second game against Australia this coming Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, it would not have been in the plan for Garry Ringrose to have over an hour – especially when a midfield of Fin Smith, Owen Farrell and Jamie Osborne had started brightly.

Garry Ringrose was not supposed to have an hour on the pitch with Saturday’s Test looming but injuries forced him to have a more vigorous workout than planned - Sportsfile via Getty Images/Brendan Moran

Graham’s misfortune forced a reshuffle, though, and the versatile Osborne shifted to the wing. How the Lions introduced a bench full of emergency draftees also felt significant.

…and tracking Test connotations

Blair Kinghorn began to ghost into space in the second period, yet coughed up two interceptions in the first and could not summon a display that demanded he usurp Hugo Keenan in the Test line-up.

Marcus Smith replaced Fin Smith rather than Kinghorn as well. There was no cotton wool waiting for the Scotland and Toulouse star. Conversely, lock James Ryan was taken off with half an hour remaining despite a stint in the sin bin.

That allowed Scott Cummings to shine, but also indicated that Ryan is under more serious consideration for the second Test as Joe McCarthy battles a foot injury.

Finlay Bealham and Jac Morgan had been withdrawn even before Gregor Brown took over from Ryan, which may have offered further clues as to the make-up of the Lions’ replacements at the MCG. Morgan appears to be ahead of both Pollock and Josh van der Flier.

As they aim to inject energy from the bench and avoid another flat second half, a six-two split of forwards is another option for the Lions management. Marcus Smith’s cameo was cut short by the need for a head injury assessment but the 26-year-old passed, meaning he will remain in Test contention. Whether Owen Farrell or Fin Smith knock him out of the 23 is the next question.

Marcus Smith, right, remains in contention for Saturday after passing his HIA - AFP via Getty Image/WILLIAM WEST

Opponents staying in the fight

We often hear about how a stirring midweek performance can galvanise a Lions team. The opposite could be true of this tight Tuesday night.

Regardless of how the Lions will field a vastly different line-up at the weekend, the Wallabies watching in the stands will have witnessed the First Nations and Pasifika crew – even shorn of Pete Samu – redeem a horrible start to hang tough.

They caused havoc with the Lions line-out, as Australia had done in the second period in Brisbane, and continued to disrupt the breakdown with tenacious and committed defence. As they bid to force a decider, Schmidt’s charges will want to emulate that perseverance.

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