
Lions Dominate AUNZ Invitational in Adelaide with Scottish Flair and Ruthless Precision
Well, what a performance that was from the British and Irish Lions! If there were any lingering doubts about this squad’s form heading into the Test series against Australia, they were absolutely demolished with a commanding 48-0 victory over the Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV at Adelaide Oval. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement, loud and clear.
From the very first whistle, the Lions looked like a side on a mission. Within the first 10 minutes, they had already scored twice. Hugo Keenan's smart quick throw-in gave Duhan van der Merwe the perfect opportunity to storm down the wing and touch down, and just moments later, Ben White followed that up with a sharp snipe off a ruck to dot under the posts. It was all Scotland early on—and that theme continued. In fact, the first six tries of the game were all scored by Scotsmen. That’s a slice of history right there.
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Van der Merwe was the headline act, bagging a clinical hat-trick that showcased his mix of power and pace. Tuipulotu, White, and Cummings also got their names on the scoresheet, and it became clear this Invitational XV was simply not prepared for the onslaught. Despite having a number of seasoned internationals in their ranks, the AUNZ side barely laid a glove on the Lions all evening.
The game wasn’t without concern, though. Luke Cowan-Dickie was stretchered off after a nasty clash of heads with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, a blow that could rule him out of the Brisbane opener. And with Garry Ringrose already a doubt, Andy Farrell’s selection puzzle just got a bit trickier. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s the depth this squad showed. Owen Farrell came off the bench and played a composed hand, even helping set up Van der Merwe’s third try with a classy midfield pass. Marcus Smith nailed his conversions and Henry Pollock capped off the night with a late try that showcased his hunger and sharp instincts.
From Keenan’s confident performance at full-back to Mack Hansen’s busy work on the wing, the Lions had contributors all over the park. They didn’t just win—they controlled every aspect of the game. Defensively, they were rock solid, barely giving AUNZ a look-in, and their attacking structures clicked beautifully.
Now all eyes turn to Brisbane. The Test against the Wallabies is going to be a much stiffer challenge, no doubt about that. But with the Lions hitting their stride and players putting their hands up all over the field, Andy Farrell will be quietly optimistic. The scoreboard might not rattle next week the way it did in Adelaide, but if the Lions can bring this same level of control, flair, and hunger, the Wallabies better be ready.
One thing's for sure—this tour just got a whole lot more interesting.
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