Lions Beat Brumbies but Cracks Show Ahead of First Test
The British and Irish Lions came out on top once again on their Australian tour, securing a 36-24 win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra. But while the scoreboard showed another victory, the match told a more complicated story—a performance full of exciting moments, but also sprinkled with concerning errors that the Lions cannot afford heading into the Test series.
Right from the opening whistle, the Lions looked sluggish. Despite Maro Itoje’s pre-game call to “start big,” the tourists dropped a high ball in the first 30 seconds and conceded early to a determined Brumbies outfit. Tuaina Taii Tualima, who battled dengue fever earlier this year, dived over to give the home side the early advantage and expose the Lions’ tendency for slow starts—something we’ve seen a bit too often on this tour.
When the Lions did click, they looked dangerous. Ollie Chessum, an absolute powerhouse, scored a crucial first-half try that got them on track. James Lowe followed with a beautifully executed finish after a slick team movement, and Marcus Smith, who came on for the injured Blair Kinghorn, added his name to the scoresheet as well. At halftime, the Lions were up 19-10, and you’d have hoped they’d push on from there.
Also Read:- England Fight Back as India Eye Series Win in Tense T20I at Old Trafford
- Djokovic Outlasts De Minaur in Wimbledon Thriller, But Signs of a New Era Emerge
Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier added second-half tries that showed the Lions' attacking depth. But credit to the Brumbies—they never let up. Tries from Hudson Creighton and Liam Bowron kept the pressure on, and it was clear that this wasn’t the statement performance the Lions were hoping for.
Russell’s penalty—the first of the tour in Australia—was a nod to pragmatism, but the overall execution still left questions unanswered. The Lions turned the ball over too often, and their breakdown work lacked precision—similar flaws that haunted them against the Waratahs.
Head coach Andy Farrell admitted as much post-match. “We scored some lovely, balanced tries, but we left at least three out there,” he said. “We kept the Brumbies in the game with our errors and lapses in discipline.” Captain Maro Itoje echoed that sentiment, stressing the need to be more ruthless and clinical. “We invited a lot of pressure back on ourselves,” he noted. “We know we can be better, and that’s the exciting part.”
And that’s really the takeaway here. The Lions are winning, but not convincingly enough to quiet the critics or reassure fans ahead of the looming first Test against Australia. This team has the firepower, no doubt about that. But to truly make a statement, they need to tighten up at the breakdown, start stronger, and eliminate those frustrating turnovers.
With one more match before the Test series kicks off, the Lions have time—but not much. They’ll need to use every minute wisely if they want to show the Wallabies they’re ready for battle. For now, the win over the Brumbies is another tick in the win column, but it came with a caution sign flashing bright.
Read More:
0 Comments