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British & Irish Lions

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Triston Reilly of the First Nations & Pasifika scores a try.

British & Irish Lions vs First Nations & Pasifika XV LIVE updates: Lions avoid upset to beat FNP in spirited clash; Gamble makes case for Wallabies call-up

The Lions did what they had to sneaking home to a 24-19 win over the First Nations and Pasifika team at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

  • Roy Ward and Iain Payten

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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Wallabies is tackled by Tom Curry.

‘It’s not rugby league’: Suaalii urged to take roaming role against Lions

Stats show Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii is struggling to make an impact with his running threat in the centres, compared to fullback. His midfield partner has the answer.

  • Iain Payten
Charlie Gamble

The snub fuelling First Nations and Pasifika team in battle with Lions

NSW’s Charlie Gamble was looking forward to packing down alongside new teammate Pete Samu – only for the Lions to block him from representing the First Nations and Pasifika XV.

  • Jonathan Drennan
Tom Curry gets away with a mid-air tackle on Tom Lynagh at Suncorp Stadium.

Tom Lynagh was smashed by the Lions in Brisbane. A Wallabies great wanted an immediate response

Wallabies legend Matt Burke believes Australian players should have launched into the Lions after Tom Curry broke the rules in Brisbane.

  • Iain Payten
Sione Tuipulotu of the British and Irish Lions celebrates after scoring a try during game one of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions

‘There is still a chip on my shoulder’: Tuipulotu ready to seal the series in Melbourne

Twelve years after watching from the stands, Sione Tuipulotu returns to Melbourne looking to help the Lions seal a series win over the country he once dreamed of representing.

  • Jonathan Drennan
Joe Schmidt

Schmidt got it wrong and must ring changes

The Wallabies coach needs to be brutal at the selection table if Australia is to save the series.

  • Paul Cully
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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Tom Lynagh of the Wallabies looks on during game one of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

‘You’ve got to toughen up’: Lynagh battered but not beaten

Tom Lynagh was targeted heavily in his starting debut for the Wallabies. But showing chill runs in the family genes, the 22-year-old stood his ground.

  • Iain Payten
Tom Lynagh

Un-Australian, tepid and toothless. Wallabies slammed over first Test performance

It wasn’t just a gulf in class between the Lions and the Wallabies - it was a chasm. And a whitewash is on the cards.

  • Oliver Brown
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Harry Potter of the Wallabies is tackled by Tadhg Beirne and Tommy Freeman of the British and Irish Lions during game one of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

‘It gives belief’: Schmidt praises Wallabies fight and gives good news on injured star

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said the character shown by his side to finish strongly in Brisbane is a positive sign ahead of the second Test. And so was Rob Valetini running earlier in the day.

  • Iain Payten
Suaalii charges forward.

The agony, the ecstasy and the comeback that nearly was

All up, how great were our blokes under that Lions’ onslaught? Instead of shutting up shop, the Wallabies kept throwing everything they had — and then some.

  • Peter FitzSimons

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/british---irish-lions-1nsf