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RNZ News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
First Nations-Pasifika XV push Lions to the wire in historic debut
First Nations & Pasifika XV's Seru Uru (R) reacts after scoring a try as British and Irish Lions' Jac Morgan (L) holds the ball during the rugby tour match against at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on 22 July 2025. Photo: AFP / William West The first-ever First Nations-Pasifika XV team took the British and Irish Lions to the wire in Melbourne on Tuesday night, going down 19-24 in a tough battle. It was history in the making from the start, with the combined selection playing against the Lions for the very first time. Down 14-0 in the first quarter of the game, the First Nations-Pasifika team fought back to score two converted tries and claim a 14-all draw at halftime. In the end, the Lions scored four tries against the local invitational side's three to claim the win and keep their unbeaten tour record so far, intact. While the Lions were favourites to win the match, and looked like it was going to be that way, the First Nations-Pasifika XV turned things around mid-way in the first half. Captain Kurtley Beale, supported by some of the best Pasifika and First Nations players in Fiji and Australia, had a decent game against the tourists. He said it was a proud moment for the players and the team. "Really proud of the boys. It's a real special week this week to get to connect, and come out together and represent our families and our cultures," he said. "We came out and I thought we did what we said we were gonna do and that was to take the pressure to the Lions." Beale said he was hopeful that the First Nations-Pasifika XV team can be retained for future international matches against teams that tour Australia. "You can see how much heart the boys played with tonight," he said. "There's so much talent here and I think it's a great thing for all the young First Nations and Pasifika players watching tonight, hopefully they can look at this jersey as something they can aspire to in future." Player of the match and Tongan heritage player Charlie Gamble said it was tough game but the players fought hard for each other. He said the players did not give up, despite the Lions leading early, and they kept going until the final whistle. "You see out there the players were fighting hard for each other," he said. "Down a couple of tries early but you saw the fight that we have, came back. Probably the first 10 minutes of that second half probably let us down but we didn't give up until the end. "It's been awesome being a part of this and hopefully this team keeps on going into the future." First Nations & Pasifika XV forward Rob Leota scores a try against the British and Irish Lions at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, 22 July 2025. Photo: AFP The team was the first of its kind, with players from the First Nations people of Australia, Samoan, Fijian, Tongan, Maori and Cook Islands heritage. Gamble was one of the key players for the FNP selection, working with 95-Test Wallaby Beale and current Wallabies squad members Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu. Other capped Wallabies players in the side included Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru and Lalakai Foketi. Prop Mesake Doge and lock forward Mesake Vocevoce represented Fiji, while Fijian Drua winger Ponipate Loganimasi was part of the squad. Triston Reilly, Seru Uru and Rob Leota were the try-scorers for the side. Jamie Osborne scored two tries for the Lions, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe got the Lions tries. A yellow card against Reilly gave the Lions a one-player advantage as the First Nations-Pasifika XV had to fight hard on defense for 10 minutes. That saw the Lions claim their first try. But Reilly intercepted a Lions backline move to score under the crossbar and in between the posts, and Beale's conversion saw them trail 14-7. Then a good forward drive near the Lions' tryline saw Uru pick and dive over the line, Beale converting again to level terms at 14-all. An intercept by Jack Debreczeni nearly gave the First Nations-Pasifika XV the lead, but the Lions drifting defence subdued the move near their line, taking the breather with a lot to talk about in the changeroom. Osborne scored his second after the resumption of play before van der Merwe strolled over to extend the lead to ten with 17 minutes to go. But the locals kept the pressure on and Melbourne-born Leota crashed through to close the gap again to five points. Had the combined First Nations-Pasifika XV finished off another good run towards the Lions line in the last 10 minutes of the game, history would have taken another turn. Lions captain for the match Owen Farell said they did not play as expected as their opponents pressured them throughout the match. "Massive credits must go to the First Nations-Pasifika boys," he said. "I thought they came after us tonight and they caused some trouble. "It was a tough 60 minutes to be honest, that last half of the first half was difficult as well." The Lions will now prepare to meet the Wallabies in their second test in Melbourne on Saturday.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
British and Irish Lions surge in second half to beat Queensland Reds 52-12
Queensland Reds' Seru Uru is tackled by Tom Curry of the British & Irish Lions during their game in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Tommy Freeman, left, of the British & Irish Lions scores his team's first try as teammate Duhan van der Merwe reacts during their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Jac Morgan of the British & Irish Lions runs at the defence during their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Maro Itoje of the British & Irish Lions is tackled by a defender during their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Maro Itoje of the British & Irish Lions is tackled by a defender during their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Queensland Reds' Seru Uru is tackled by Tom Curry of the British & Irish Lions during their game in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Tommy Freeman, left, of the British & Irish Lions scores his team's first try as teammate Duhan van der Merwe reacts during their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Jac Morgan of the British & Irish Lions runs at the defence during their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Maro Itoje of the British & Irish Lions is tackled by a defender during their game against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Maro Itoje bounced over to score beside the posts to trigger another second-half surge from the British and Irish Lions in a 52-12 win over the Queensland Reds on Wednesday. The Lions are now two from two in five days in Australia after a 54-7 tour-opening win over Western Force in Perth on the weekend. Advertisement The British and Irish lineup had it tough in the first half against the Force before opening up. On a cool, windy night in Brisbane, the Lions again took a while to get started, twice falling behind to early tries before turning a 12-7 deficit into a 21-12 halftime lead. Skipper Itoje, who was rested for the first game, ran powerfully onto an inside pass from scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park five minutes after the break to crack the game open, with the Lions scoring three tries in 15 minutes. Flyhalf Finn Russell again orchestrated the Lions attack before he was rested after 55 minutes. The Lions were determined to play with pace and high-tempo, spreading the ball to the edges regularly and maintaining a positive attacking shape to generate space and scoring opportunities. Advertisement Winger Tommy Freeman was a beneficiary, scoring two tries, while Bundy Ake created opportunities in midfield and openside flanker Jac Morgan put in a player-of-the-match performance in a dominant forward pack, including a try for his efforts. Huw Jones plucked an attempted chip kick out of the air and sprinted 60 meters for a counterattacking try to make it 47-12 and Garry Ringrose capped it off with a try five minutes into stoppage time. The Lions have now won back-to-back matches after slipping to a 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warmup in Dublin before traveling to Australia for a nine-game tour, which includes three tests against the Wallabies on July 19, 26 and Aug. 2. The Lions will play the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday in Sydney. Advertisement Injuries Irish fullback Hugo Keenan was ruled out just ahead of the match and replaced by Elliot Daly, who scored two tries in the win over Western Force. Daly hurt his left forearm in a tackle late in the second half and didn't finish the match. Welsh scrumhalf Tomos Williams was ruled out of the tour this week after injuring his left hamstring while scoring a try against the Force. Early pressure The Reds stunned the Lions with an early try and twice led in the first half. Prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen powered through the defense and reached over to score the opener in the ninth minute after a strong break by center Hunter Paisami. Advertisement Ake was held up over the line at the back of a driving maul from a lineout in the 12th minute, and the Lions again went close to scoring in the 16th until Daly's last pass went astray with the tryline open. The pressure paid off in the 20th when the Lions created an overlap and spread the ball wide for Freeman to score untouched. The Reds, playing in maroon and navy colors, were missing a host of starting players on duty for Australia's test against Fiji on Sunday, but still threatened regularly. Center Josh Flook swooped onto a short, stabbed grubber kick from scrumhalf Kalani Thomas as the Lions defense rushed up, collected the half-volley and dived over to give the Reds a 12-7 lead after 25 minutes. Advertisement The Lions went within inches of scoring two minutes later but couldn't ground the ball. There was no doubt over prop Andrew Porter's barging try from close range in the 29th, though, and the Lions regained the lead 14-12. The Lions took a quick tap in the 35th after the Reds were penalized for a hand in the scrum and spread it wide quickly for Duhan van der Merwe to dive inside the corner post. It was all the Lions after that. ___ AP rugby:
News.com.au
14-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Queensland Reds to tackle Brumbies without Lynagh, Salakaia-Loto and Uru
Queensland's hopes of beating the ACT Brumbies on Saturday night have been hit by the loss of Test trio Tom Lynagh, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Seru Uru. Flyhalf Lynagh (concussion), lock Salakaia-Loto (shoulder) and flanker Uru (knee) will miss the Super Rugby Pacific battle in Canberra, where the Reds can ill-afford a loss in their bid to secure a top-three finish and a home finals clash. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Ryan Smith and Joe Brial will be the injured trio's respective replacements. In one other change to the Reds side that started in Queensland's 28-21 win over the NSW Waratahs last Friday, centre Hunter Paisami returns from a hip injury, replacing Dre Pakeho, who drops back to the bench. 'We certainly showed our qualities of grit and belief with how strongly we finished the against the NSW Waratahs,' Reds coach Les Kiss said. 'It was very pleasing coming off the short turnaround from our previous match in Fiji.' Kiss backed young gun McLaughlin-Phillips to perform well in the absence of Lynagh 'Harry had a very strong second half when he came in for Tom against the Waratahs and has stepped up for us with his opportunities this season,' the Reds coach said. 'He's a solid, tough lad too. We're lucky in that sense. He can take the line on. 'Our leadership (group) has a lot of faith in him as well,' Meanwhile, 22-year-old Reds squad member Mason Gordon has announced his retirement on medical grounds due to ongoing symptoms after being concussed in pre-season training. 'This is not how, or when, I anticipated my career concluding after I signed a contract at the Queensland Reds in October 2024, the same year I made my Super Rugby debut for the Melbourne Rebels,' fullback Gordon said in an open letter. 'This is an unfortunate injury, however I am grateful for the memories I have of my professional rugby career and will cherish the friendships I have made forever.' Gordon made four Super Rugby appearances for the Rebels, and debuted to the Reds against Wales in July last year. 'He's a quality human being,' Kiss said of Gordon. 'You could see it meant lot to him to become a Red. We'll continue to look after him.'
News.com.au
03-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Queensland Reds remain winless in Suva after last-gasp try snatches victory for Fijian Drua
The Reds remain without a Super Rugby Pacific win in Suva after a last-gasp try from replacement Isikeli Rabitu secured Fijian Drua an upset 36-33 victory over Queensland. In last place on the ladder with just two wins heading into Saturday's match, the Drua again proved too strong on home soil for the Queenslanders, who have lost on their three visits to Suva since the Fijian outfit's introduction into Super Rugby. A 72nd-minute try from replacement Reds hooker Max Craig in his Super Rugby debut gave the Reds a crucial late lead. However, they couldn't hold on, with Rabitu scoring from close range in the final minute soon after Queensland had been reduced to 14 men after the sin-binning of star flanker Fraser McReight. Think you're a sports fanatic? Take the test. Play daily trivia for FREE on CODE Sports. Sign up here > SCENES IN SUVA 🤩 #SuperRugbyPacific #DRUvRED — Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 3, 2025 The defeat was the Reds' fourth from 10 games this season and was a blow to their chances of hosting a finals match. Reds captain Tate McDermott said his side paid the price for poor defence in the six-tries-to-five loss. 'We missed too many tackles,' McDermott said. 'We let them score too easily too many times. Against a team like the Drua, you give them that much time and space to do whatever they want with the ball, they're going to make you pay.' McDermott said a bonus point in defeat was 'better than nothing'. 'It's not all doom and gloom. We've got an important game next week against the Waratahs and then one against the Brumbies, but we'll take it one week at a time,' the star halfback said. The Drua started impressively, with winger Taniela Rakuro crossing over out wide in the eighth minute after the hosts created an overlap that included decisive passes from hooker Zuriel Togiatama and outside centre Vuate Karawalevu. However, the Reds were quick to bounce back, with fullback Jock Campbell making the most of superb off-load from Queensland's Fiji-born flanker Seru Uru. Magic pass from Seru Uru ðŸ°' #SuperRugbyPacific #DRUvRED — Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 3, 2025 But the hosts didn't drop their heads, making the most of poor defence from Queensland pair Joe Brial and Tim Ryan to score the game's next two tries through prop Mesake Doge and powerful flanker Etonia Waqa. However, the Drua's failure to convert any of their three opening tries restricted their lead to 15-7. The seesawing nature of the first-half was to continue, with the Reds tries to hooker Richie Asiata and Uru ensuring Queensland led 19-15 at halftime. The Drua regained the lead early in the second-half when lock Mesake Vocevoce powered his way over the line under the goalposts, with an easy conversion from fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula putting the hosts 22-19 ahead. Poor handling and ill-discipline from the Reds proved costly again in the 55th minute when the Drua scored again through flanker Isoa Tuwai. The Reds then replied six minutes later through replacement prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen to narrow the Drua's lead, before Craig's try, and subsequent conversion from replacement fly half Tom Lynagh, put them ahead by four points. However, Rabitu's converted try broke Reds' hearts and thrilled jubilant home fans.
