The British and Irish Lions delivered a commanding performance in their final warm-up match ahead of the highly anticipated Test series against Australia, thrashing the AUNZ Invitational XV 48-0 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, July 12, 2025. This emphatic victory not only showcased the Lions' attacking prowess but also highlighted their defensive solidity, as they kept the invitational side scoreless in front of a record rugby crowd of 43,145 spectators.
Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe was the star of the evening, crossing the try line three times to complete a hat-trick that reinforced his credentials for Test selection. Supporting him were fellow Scots Ben White, Sione Tuipulotu, Scott Cummings, and replacements Rónan Kelleher and Henry Pollock, all of whom contributed crucial tries in a seamless team effort. The Lions scored eight tries in total, matching their best try-scoring feats of the tour so far.
From the outset, the Lions imposed their dominance. Within the first ten minutes, van der Merwe and White had already crossed the line, setting the tone for a relentless onslaught. The Lions exhibited cohesion, directness, and impactful play, a marked improvement from their earlier, scrappier performances against the Waratahs and Brumbies. This display of discipline and teamwork will surely ease concerns within the camp as they prepare for the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane next weekend.
However, the match was not without incident. Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie suffered a serious head injury following a collision with AUNZ lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, forcing him off on a stretcher late in the first half. Lions coach Andy Farrell later confirmed that Cowan-Dickie was in good spirits but likely to miss the opening Test due to concussion protocols. This injury compounds the Lions' selection challenges, with centre Garry Ringrose also ruled out of the first Test due to concussion, and Blair Kinghorn facing a fitness race ahead of the series.
Owen Farrell made his first appearance on the tour, coming off the bench to play inside centre. Despite being absent from international rugby since 2023, Farrell looked composed and contributed to the team's fluidity, providing a boost to the Lions' midfield options. The impressive Scotland centre partnership of Tuipulotu and Huw Jones also caught the eye, raising questions about the final Test lineup and whether Farrell will opt for familiarity or the form players.
Defensively, the Lions were exceptional, missing just nine tackles compared to the AUNZ XV's 14 missed attempts. The invitational side, a hastily assembled mix of Australian and New Zealand talent, struggled to find cohesion and were repeatedly stifled by the Lions' well-organized defensive lines. Despite flashes of individual brilliance from players like Salakaia-Loto and Shannon Frizell, the AUNZ XV could not mount any sustained pressure or threaten the scoreboard.
The Lions' relentless pressure was evident throughout the match. After van der Merwe's second try stretched the lead to 17-0 at halftime, the tourists continued to dominate possession and territory in the second half. Tuipulotu, Cummings, Kelleher, and Pollock all crossed the line, with Pollock's late try a testament to his work rate and opportunism, capitalizing on an AUNZ error inside their own 22.
Man of the match Ben Earl was instrumental in the back row, combining defensive grit with dynamic ball-carrying to disrupt the opposition's rhythm. Earl expressed satisfaction with the team's ruthless performance, stating, “We’re really pleased with what we put out there. The ruthlessness we want to be known for, we showed that today.” His performance embodied the Lions' collective effort and set a high standard ahead of the Test series.
Lions captain Tadhg Beirne echoed the team's positive mindset, noting, “We’re continuing to improve. There’ll be elements of the attack we could’ve been better. Discipline-wise, we got a warning at one point. It’s going be a new challenge, a different challenge next week.” His leadership throughout the tour has been pivotal in fostering team unity and resilience.
Andy Farrell praised the team’s professionalism and cohesion, saying, “It is one of those games where you are damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. If you play a side with that amount of talent and give them a sniff, it gives them belief and it gives them confidence. We didn’t do that tonight. We are very pleased to finish off what’s been a tough block for all sorts of reasons.” Farrell acknowledged the difficulty of finalizing the Test squad, emphasizing the depth and quality within the Lions ranks.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the AUNZ Invitational XV's coach Les Kiss and co-captains David Havili and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto were positive about the experience of representing a combined Australian and New Zealand side. Kiss highlighted the potential of the concept, stating, “I think I would have the complete backing of the guys here that that concept should be something that we continue to work on and make it work whenever we can.” Havili described the week as “one of the best experiences of my career,” expressing hope that such combined teams would feature in future Lions tours, including the 2029 tour of New Zealand.
The match served as the final audition for players vying for Test selection, with several fringe players making compelling cases. Van der Merwe’s hat-trick was particularly timely, especially considering his fluctuating form earlier in the tour. Similarly, the Scotland midfield pairing of Tuipulotu and Jones demonstrated strong chemistry, potentially influencing the final Test lineup. The return of Owen Farrell adds further options and experience to the squad.
Looking ahead, the Lions will now focus on preparing for the first Test against Australia at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025, at 11am BST. The upcoming matches include a clash with the Melbourne Rebels on July 22, followed by the second and third Tests against Australia on July 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and August 2 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, respectively. With momentum firmly on their side and key players returning to form, the Lions will aim to carry this dominant display into the Test series and challenge the Wallabies for supremacy.
This comprehensive victory has sent a strong message to the Australian side and fans alike. The Lions’ blend of power, pace, and precision looks well-tuned, and despite the injury setbacks, their squad depth appears robust enough to handle the challenges ahead. As the countdown to the first Test continues, all eyes will be on Andy Farrell’s selection decisions, with the team’s cohesion and confidence at an all-time high following this resounding win.
