First Nations & Pasifika vs. British and Irish Lions score: Rugby union result, highlights as visitors grind out victory

Joe Wright

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First Nations & Pasifika vs. British and Irish Lions score: Rugby union result, highlights as visitors grind out victory image

The British and Irish Lions continued their winning run in Australia — albeit in unconvincing fashion — as they claimed a 24-19 win over First Nations & Pasifika.

Andy Farrell's side were 27-19 winners over the Wallabies in their first Test last weekend, and the head coach named a much-changed XV for Tuesday's clash in Melbourne against a lineup comprising players of Pacific Island and Indigenous heritage.

Despite missing 20 players from the Test squad, with the majority of key players rested ahead of the second Test with Australia next weekend, the Lions looked to be on course for a commanding win at Marvel Stadium. Jamie Osborne opened the scoring from captain Owen Farrell's kick over the top, and Darcy Graham raced over two minutes later as FNP struggled for balance with Triston Reilly sinbinned.

It was Reilly's return — and the loss of Graham to injury — that turned the half on its head. The Waratahs winger intercepted a pass for an easy try, and Tuaina Taii Tualima powered over six minutes later after a sequence of errors with the boot and ball in hand from the tourists.

The Lions recovered some of their poise after the break and restored their advantage just past the hour mark through Duhan van der Merwe, his try coming moments after Josh van der Flier saw a score disallowed for a knock-on.

Yet just as the Lions seemed in control, Wallabies flanker Rob Leota got FNP's third try after a good spell of pressure. Kurtley Beale's missed conversion did little to dampen hopes of what would have been a famous comeback victory.

Ultimately, some fine breakdown work from Henry Pollock and disciplined midfield play allowed the Lions to see out the closing moments. But Saturday's second meeting with Australia will require a more sustained performance level.

MORE: Full schedule for the Lions' 2025 tour

First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. British and Irish Lions score

 ScoreTries (Conv.)Penalties
FNP19Reilly 17' (Beale), Tualima 23' (Beale), Leota 71'—
Lions24Osborne 8' (Smith), 45', Graham 10' (Smith), Van der Merwe 64'—

Starting XVs:

First Nations & Pasifika: 15. Andy Muirhead, 14. Triston Reilly, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 12. David Feliuai, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 10. Kurtley Beale (C), 9. Kalani Thomas; 1. Lington Ieli, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Seru Uru, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima

Replacements: 16. Richie Asiata, 17. Marley Pearce, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Jack Debreczeni, 23. Jarrah McLeod

Lions: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Jamie Osborne, 12. Owen Farrell (C), 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Ben White; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Jamie George, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. James Ryan, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Jac Morgan, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Henry Pollock

Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Tom Clarkson, 19. Gregor Brown, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Garry Ringrose

First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. British and Irish Lions highlights

8': Jamie Osborne strikes first in Melbourne.

Australia:

UK:

10': Darcy Graham races clear and the Lions are in control.

Australia:

UK:

17': Triston Reilly gets FNP back in the contest after an intercepted pass sums up an error-strewn few minutes for the Lions.

Australia:

UK:

23': And we're level! Tuaina Taii Tualima goes over.

Australia:

UK:

45': Osborne gets his second try to put the Lions back in control.

UK:

64': That could be that! Van der Merwe sprints over after a well-time pass from Farrell.

Australia:

UK:

71': This one isn't done yet! Leota goes over to set up a nervy finish.

Australia:

UK:

First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. British and Irish Lions live stream, TV channel

Australia

  • Live stream: Stan Sport

All Lions matches in 2025 will be streamed live via Stan Sport. All the Test matches against the Wallabies will also be broadcast on Channel Nine.

UK

  • TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action
  • Live stream: Sky Go app

Fans in the United Kingdom can catch the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. BST on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.

What time does First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. British and Irish Lions kick off?

The match takes place at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Victoria. It is slated to kick off at 8:00 p.m. local time (11:00 a.m. BST).

Senior Editor

Joe Wright

Joe Wright is a Senior Editor at Sporting News, overseeing global soccer and multisport. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform news service, covering major global sports news, data analytics, features and video content. Joe has extensive experience covering some of the biggest events in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup, which included the final in Moscow.