Ruthless Lions run riot in final pre-Test clash against AUNZ XV

Mack Hansen of British & Irish Lions, after a tackle from David Havili of AUNZ XV. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

AUNZ Invitational XV 0 British & Irish Lions 48 

The British & Irish Lions completed their pre-Test schedule with the minimum of fuss in South Australia on Saturday, running in eight tries without conceding, but they will know the challenges to come from the Wallabies will be much sterner.

For all the quality on the AUNZ Invitational XV team sheet assembled by head coach Les Kiss at the Adelaide Oval, the end product was sorely lacking and a matchday squad featuring 17 capped internationals, Wallabies and All Blacks, failed to fire a shot.

Yet the Lions looked sharp, took their tries exceptionally well and Andy Farrell will be pleased by the application shown to stake valid claims for inclusion in the squad for next Saturday’s first Test against Australia.

The Lions had been allowed to strike early by a scratch invitational side that, despite its power and experience, lacked the cohesion to mount a serious challenge. 

The tourists were 17-0 up inside 20 minutes as Duhan van der Merwe ran in the first of his two first-half tries from a Mack Hansen assist and then fellow Scot, scrum-half Ben White broke down the side of a ruck from 15 metres in front of the AUSNZ posts.

The third came from van der Merwe, again a straightforward run in as the Lions took their 17-0 lead into the half-time break.

There was more fluent attack play from the Lions after the interval as AUNZ failed to raise their resistance. 

British and Irish Lions' Henry Pollock scores a try. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire

Sione Tuitupulotu got the ball rolling with a try on 42 minutes as he waltzed through a porous defence after a smart pass out the back from Ben Earl and two tries just after the hour confirmed the tourists’ superiority to a crowd of 43,124.

Replacement lock Scott Cummings struck from short range and van der Merwe completed his hat-trick after taking the last of a series of strong passes from the newly-introduced Owen Farrell, playing at inside centre, Hansen and Hugo Keenan.

The Lions were cruising and a yellow card for All Blacks back row Shannon Frizzell handed the tourists further opportunities, Ronan Kelleher scoring soon after the 68th minute sin-binning and Henry Pollock adding a seventh try on 75 minutes to complete the rout.

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GAME IN 60 SECONDS 

Key moment: The Lions never looked back from their opening try on three minutes when they cut a knife through a sleeping AUSNZ defence with some quick thinking from Hugo Keenan. The full-back took a quick throw, and after a smooth sequence of high-tempo passes, Duhan van der Merwe ran in unopposed and the die was cast.

Talking point: The Lions completed their pre-Test series preparations with little resistance from an AUNZ team that looked strong on paper but offered little evidence of that strength in the game. 

Andy Farrell will be pleased with the way his team made the most of what was put in front of them, while there were several individual performances to give him pause for thought ahead of his first Test selection next week.

Test-worthy performances: Huw Jones did his prospects of becoming a Lions Test 13 a power of good with a sharp, incisive display at outside centre. 

Whether that means automatic selection for his fellow Scot and midfield partner Sione Tuitupulotu as well remains to be seen, with Owen Farrell now up and running after a tour debut off the bench, replacing Jones and moving into 12 as Tuitupulotu went to 13.

Despite an injury-hampered season with Racing 92, Farrell looked very sharp, his passing was superb and he linked well with his outside backs.

There were positives too for Mack Hansen on the right wing, whose assists for fellow wing Duhan van der Merwe over on the left outlined his willingness to come off his touchline and look for involvement. There were some wonderful moments from the Ireland star throughout, as there were from full-back Hugo Keenan.

Ref watch: Andrea Piardi took charge ahead of his second Test appointment between the Lions and Australia in Melbourne in a fortnight. It was a quiet night for the Italian as the AUSNZ side failed to put up the expected fight against the tourists and Piardi will be hoping the same for an equally uncontroversial Test series.

Penalties conceded: AUSNZ 13 Lions 6 

Injuries: Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie got his head caught in a low chop tackle on opposing lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto four minutes before the interval and needed extensive on-field treatment before being lifted onto a stretcher wearing a neck brace. Fortunately, the England front rower was soon back on his feet.

News also broke that Garry Ringrose has emerged as a doubt for next Saturday’s first Test against Australia following a head knock against the Brumbies last Wednesday.

Next Up: And so to the real business of the tour, and the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane next Saturday. The Lions will fly from South Australia to Queensland on Sunday for a week’s preparation on the training ground.

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AUSNZ INVITATIONAL XV: S Stevenson; AJ Lam (H McLaughlin-Phillips, 46), N Laumape, D Havili co-captain, M Koroibete (J Campbell, 46); T Edmed, F Fakatava (K Thomas, 56); A Ross (J Fusitu’a, 50), B Paenga-Amosa (K Eklund, 40), J Toomaga-Allen (G Dyer, 40); A Blyth (M Philip, 55), L Salakaia-Loto co-captain; S Frizell, P Samu, H Sotutu (J Brial, 65).

Yellow cards: Frizzell 68-78; Fusitu’a 79- 

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: H Keenan (A Mitchell, 75); M Hansen, H Jones (O Farrell, 50), S Tuipulotu, D van der Merwe; F Smith (M Smith, 50), B White; P Schoeman, L Cowan-Dickie (R Kelleher, 36 - HIA), W Stuart (F Bealham, 50); T Beirne – captain (S Cummings, 59), J Ryan; H Pollock, J Morgan, B Earl (J van der Flier, 62).

Replacement not used: A Porter.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)