As the Lions prepare to embark on the Test series in Australia, Saturday’s clash against the AUNZ Invitational XV—a combined Australia–New Zealand side—at the Adelaide Oval represents their final audition. Here’s an extensive breakdown of what went down in this crucial warm-up match.

Match Overview

Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Kick‑Off: 11:00 AM BST / 8:00 PM AEST (TalkSport, The Times, Rugby World)
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia

First-Half Dominance

The Lions asserted early defensive cohesion and line speed, refusing any real contest in a dominant first half. By the break, they led 17–0, courtesy of two tries by Duhan van der Merwe and a third from Ben White, who seized a gap from a ruck. (The Guardian)

Player Spotlights

Duhan van der Merwe (2 tries): Lively off the wing, he capitalized on quick ball and intricate backline support.
Ben White: Sniping from a ruck, he showcased sharp instincts and clinical finishing. (The Guardian)
Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, and Huw Jones delivered energetic performances, all vying for key test positions. (The Guardian)
Henry Pollock earned his first senior start at No.6, with former All Black coach Neil Back pinpointing him as a potential solution to the Lions’ breakdown issues. (The Times)

Defensive Resilience

Exceptional defensive solidity marked the first half. The Lions forced multiple turnovers and staunchly repelled AUNZ’s close-range attacks. (The Guardian)

Injury Watch

Unfortunately, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie exited on a stretcher following a head injury, instantly raising a red flag for Lions selection decisions. (The Guardian)

Selection Tensions

With places at No.6, test captaincy, and midweek substitutions still under review, this match represented the last opportunity for players like Owen Farrell—named among the replacements—to influence Test inclusion. (Reuters)

Tactical Tweaks & Breakdown Fixes

Coach Andy Farrell emphasized breakdown resilience, with Neil Back and others urging more aggressive live contact training to reduce costly turnovers. (TalkSport)
Despite improvements, Wright noted lingering issues moving forward—fresh targets for coach Farrell.

Match Perspective

Though a 17–0 half-time lead was impressive, the exhaustively composed opposition of 17 international players did manage to rattle the Lions at times. For many squad members, this match was their last audition before the first Test—a match long billed as a potential Celtics-style Tour legacy challenge. (The Times)

Final Word

The Lions confirmed they’re peaking: stout defence, top-tier energy, and strategic depth highlighted their progress. But breakdown consistency and maintaining discipline remain critical ahead of the official series opener against Australia.

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