Latest news with #RúaidhríO'Connor
Irish Independent
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Indo Sport podcast: The Lions Tour review – What Andy Farrell got right and Joe Schmidt's mistake
Rúaidhrí O'Connor dials in from Sydney airport to give Will Slattery his overall review of the Lions Tour to Australia, where Andy Farrell's approach, Joe Schmidt's preparation and the future of the series leave us with plenty to talk about.
Irish Independent
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Australia v Lions – Match to resume after weather delay as Andy Farrell's men seek Tour whitewash in Sydney
43' Five minutes until the players take the field again The players will get time to warm-up before go time again. It has been confirmed that the game will restart at 12.50 pm Irish time. 43' Should Sheehan have seen red? Plenty of HIA's in this game and tour, but Dan Sheehan has gotten away with one it seems. 43' 30 minutes minimum until resumption of play ' Two and a half minutes into the second half and James Ryan is taken off on a stretcher as the referee Nika Amashukeli hauls the two teams off for a minimum of 30 minutes. Fans from the front 19 rows are being asked to go back to the concourse and it's all very strange at Stadium Australia. Dressing-room footage shows the players with their boots and socks off, some staying warm on bikes.' Rúaidhrí O'Connor, live from Sydney 43' Play is suspended due to a storm in the area What a crazy sequence of events as play is suspended due to the storm. No word on how long the delay will be. Hopefully James Ryan is ok, and it's very odd that twice this tour, a Lions player has been injured and Sweet Caroline has started blaring. Not really the moment. 47' The fighting continues as James Ryan is injured James Ryan gets it all wrong and he gets a massive knee in the head from Will Skelton and the medical staff are tending to him now. The Lions were not happy with how the Wallabies acted in the aftermath and the ref has given both captains a final warning Jac Morgan is on. 42' Line Out The Lions Tom Wright nails another huge clearance kick deep into the Lions half. 41' Line Out The Lions We are back underway Finn Russell gets the final half of the tour going and the Lions have a lineout. 2. Half 40' Half-time - Australia 8 Lions 0 - Australia lead at half-time after a dominant display ' The Lions will be without their captain for the remainder of the game as it's confirmed that Maro Itoje has failed his HIA. They're losing almost every battle out there, but tactically, they're not playing the conditions well at all. Finn Russell taking a quick tap there was crazy.' Rúaidhrí O'Connor, live from Sydney 40' Line Out The Lions Just inside their own half, as Tom Wright calls the mark and clears up field. 40' Substitution Substituted in Owen Farrell Substituted out Tommy Freeman Freeman is off with blood pouring from his nose and Farrell is on, with Huw Jones moving to the wing and Bundee Aki moving to 13. 38' Penalty Australia The Lions finally start battering the Wallabies line but again the Wallabies win the breakdown and a penalty. 36' Scrum The Lions The Lions lineout isn't great, but the Wallabies knock it on trying to steal, and the tourists get away with it. 36' Substitution Substituted in Ben Donaldson Substituted out Tom Lynagh Lynagh is now off for a HIA. 35' Penalty Made Australia Scorer Tom Lynagh They do and Lynagh nails the easiest of kicks, and it is now 8-0.
Irish Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
AU/NZ Invitational XV v Lions: Andy Farrell's side hit Adelaide for latest stop on tour
Live | It's the Lions' final game before the serious business of the first Test against Australia gets underway. Is it too late for any bolters to make the Test side? Find out with all the action as it happens in our liveblog below with kick-off at 11am Irish time. 7 minutes ago AU/NZ Invitational XV v Lions - Final chance to impress ahead of first test next week Welcome to coverage of the Lions final warm-up game before the first test, as many players will look to play their way into contention for next week's test at the Adelaide Oval. The Lions will face a stern test today as former Ireland and Ulster coach selects a combined AUNZ side that is full of international experience and will look to cause the Lions problems. Andy Farrell's men have been far from convincing and they will look for a complete performance tonight. Kick-off is 11pm and stay tuned after for reaction and analysis from Rúaidhrí O'Connor.
Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Lions jury: Green-tinted glasses, predicted line-ups for the first Test and how serious is the Australian threat?
As Andy Farrell and his squad touch down in Perth, our writers outline their hopes and expectations for this summer's tour 1. Does the Lions fully float your boat or has the grand old tour lost its lustre in your eyes? Rúaidhrí O'Connor: It's easy to be cynical about the massive corporate juggernaut that is the modern Lions and there's no doubt the tour's transformation into a huge brand has lessened some of the appeal, but once it's up and running, the supporters start arriving and the Tests loom into view, it's hard to resist the allure.
