In a gritty and fiercely contested match at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on July 5, 2025, the British & Irish Lions edged past the NSW Waratahs with a 21-10 victory that belied the intensity and surprise of the encounter. Despite the Lions' win, it was the Waratahs who captured the imagination of the crowd, delivering a performance packed with tenacity and tactical nous against one of rugby’s most storied touring sides.
The Lions, led by coach Andy Farrell, faced a challenging day from the outset. A late change saw Henry Pollock ruled out due to a calf injury, prompting skipper Tadhg Beirne to shift to number six, with Scott Cummings stepping in at lock. The bench featured Duhan van der Merwe, creating a 5-3 split that reflected the team’s adaptability. Hugo Keenan made his Lions debut after recovering from a stomach bug, while Blair Kinghorn, fresh from Toulouse’s Top 14 final victory, started on the left wing.
On the other side, the Waratahs were significantly under-strength, with only Taniela Tupou and Andrew Kellaway released from Wallabies duty ahead of their July 6 Test against Fiji. Seven other Waratahs remained with the national squad, leaving the provincial side to field a young and determined lineup. Jamie Adamson, an Englishman who made 11 Super Rugby appearances for the Waratahs this season, featured against the Lions before planning to support the touring side as a fan in Canberra.
The match kicked off under the watchful eye of New Zealand referee Paul Williams, with an electric atmosphere fueled by a crowd of 40,568. Both captains—Hugh Sinclair for the Waratahs and Tadhg Beirne for the Lions—share a unique connection as former Lansdowne FC players, adding an intriguing subplot to the clash.
The Lions struck first when Huw Jones, the Scotland centre, crossed for a try at the 12-minute mark, converting the momentum with Fin Smith’s boot. Jones doubled his tally just before halftime, stepping through defenders with finesse to extend the Lions’ lead to 14-0. Yet, the Waratahs were far from over. Darby Lancaster’s try in the 35th minute, set up by the clever sleight of hand from Taniela Tupou, brought the home side back into contention, though the conversion narrowly missed.
The second half opened with Ethan Dobbins powering over from a maul, narrowing the gap to 10-14. The Waratahs’ defense, led by flanker Charlie Gamble, was relentless, disrupting the Lions' rhythm and forcing errors. Despite the pressure, the Lions responded through Alex Mitchell’s try at the 55-minute mark, showcasing a brilliant dummy and change of direction to break the line. Fin Smith’s conversion restored a comfortable margin at 21-10.
However, the Lions’ second-half performance was marred by scrappy play, with Ellis Genge having two tries disallowed due to infringements at the lineout. The Waratahs, despite being 40-point underdogs, matched the visitors’ physicality and intensity, offering the Lions their toughest challenge since their Dublin clash with Argentina.
Amidst the on-field drama, a controversy brewed off it. Andy Farrell publicly accused the Waratahs of deliberately watering the Allianz Stadium pitch to create a slippery surface that favored their aggressive breakdown play. Farrell remarked, “For whatever reason, and I actually don’t care, it’s great for us, the pitch was very wet... I believe that it could be wet on Wednesday anyway, so we’ll take that.”
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar firmly denied these allegations, highlighting Sydney’s recent heavy rain and the stadium’s notorious drainage issues. “Andy was probably sunning himself in Brisbane on Tuesday, but it wasn’t pleasant in Sydney, that’s for sure,” McKellar said. “I had too much to think about to be worried about water on the pitch.” Venues NSW staff had worked tirelessly ahead of the match, with head curator Adam Lewis confident the surface would hold, using grow lamps and matting to protect the field.
The Waratahs’ spirited display, despite the loss, has provided Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt with a bold blueprint ahead of the first Test against the Lions on July 19. The provincial side’s aggressive defense and adventurous attack highlighted weaknesses in the Lions’ cohesion and fitness, which have been tested by a demanding tour schedule.
Schmidt will be encouraged by the performances of Kellaway and Tupou, both set to feature in the Fiji Test, who marshaled a disciplined rush defense and created scoring opportunities, including Tupou’s crucial assist for Lancaster’s try. The depth of Australian rugby was also on display with young talents like Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch showing promise for future selection.
Meanwhile, the Lions face a crucial midweek match against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on July 9, with rain forecast adding another variable to the contest. Farrell’s side will aim to sharpen their attack and solidify their pack as they prepare for the Test series, with the Brumbies game expected to closely resemble the Test XV.
As the Lions continue their tour, the Sydney encounter serves as a reminder that even the most formidable teams can be tested by determined underdogs. The Waratahs’ performance, though ending in defeat, was a testament to resilience and tactical acumen, setting the stage for an enthralling series ahead.
