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British and Irish Lions lose their Australia tour warmup to Argentina

1News

2 hours ago

Sport
1News

British and Irish Lions lose their Australia tour warmup to Argentina

First, the good news for the British and Irish Lions: They didn't appear to suffer any tour-ending injuries against Argentina on Saturday. The bad news: They lost to Argentina 28-24 in the warmup to their nine-game tour of Australia. The result, humbling for now, will be regarded as a minor setback, maybe even an inspiration, if the Lions go on and win the three-test series against the Wallabies. The Lions led the Pumas for only 12 minutes in the entire match and had two prime attacking chances in the last four minutes. But their lineout maul was stopped in its tracks, then a Lions penalty in front of the posts was overturned due to a neck roll by Tadhg Beirne. "We weren't as consistent as we would have liked to be. We only showed glimmers of what we can do," Lions captain Maro Itoje told broadcaster Sky Sports. ADVERTISEMENT "When we were on it, we looked good, we just need to do it more consistently. Argentina showed us where we are lacking. I am happy we had a hard-fought game. We live and learn. This is only match one." Despite a training camp in Portugal that was meant to help cement combinations, and nine English starters, the Lions still looked less cohesive and determined than Argentina, which was missing a dozen front-liners and had only two proper training runs. The Pumas beat the Lions for the first time in a history between them that goes back to 1910. They also warmed up the 2005 Lions in Cardiff, and suffered heartbreak when Jonny Wilkinson landed a penalty in the 87th minute for a 25-25 draw. No draw this time. The Pumas were ruthless with their chances and matched the Lions with three tries. Two tries from inside their own 22 were the game's highlights. Argentina's Tomas Albornoz, left and teammate Argentina's Simon Benitez Cruz celebrate after winning the Rugby Union international match between the British and Irish Lions and Argentina, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Friday, June 20, 2025. (Source: Associated Press) The Lions enjoyed majority possession, had the better scrum, and gave away only five penalties but they forced too many passes and the Pumas defence was outstanding. "You can't win a test with that error rate," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. "We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. They were hungrier than us with the ball on the ground. ADVERTISEMENT "There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off, I take responsibility for that. I hope we are better off for that." The Lions were nowhere near their test side. Few players from last weekend's finals of the English Premiership and United Rugby Championship were involved, and only six of the 16 Irish players. But the Pumas were understrength, too, for a match outside the test window. Argentina scored the first points, a Tomas Albornoz penalty, and the first try, finished by wing Ignacio Mendy from an Albornoz miss-out pass to fullback Santiago Carreras in a gap. Meanwhile, the Lions had two tries in the first quarter ruled out for knock-ons but Bundee Aki finally got their first touchdown when he busted through three defenders. Lions' Bundee Aki drives forward as he runs on to score a try during the Rugby Union international match between the British and Irish Lions and Argentina, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Friday, June 20, 2025. (Peter Morrison/AP) The second quarter was all Argentina. Albornoz kicked two more penalties and converted his own injury-time try for 21-10. The Lions didn't protect ruck ball in the Argentina 22 and Rodrigo Isgro and Carreras set Albornoz away in an 80m counterattack. ADVERTISEMENT The Lions rubbed out the deficit thanks to the forwards. A penalty try from a lineout maul also sent Pumas prop Mayco Vivas to the sin-bin, and the Lions used the man advantage to give Beirne a converted try. But moments later, an Isgro aerial catch started a sweeping counterattack involving Albornoz, No. 8 Joaquin Oviedo, debut starter Justo Piccardo and Matias Moroni that was finished by a swan dive from Santiago Cordero. Even with 22 minutes left, the Lions could not find a reply The first game in Australia is against the Western Force in Perth in eight days.

RNZ News

9 hours ago

Sport
RNZ News

Rugby: Argentina stun British & Irish Lions in Dublin

Santiago Cordero of Argentina scores the match winning try against the British & Irish Lions in Dublin. Photo:Argentina have stunned the British & Irish Lions 28-24 in Dublin. The rare home fixture for the Lions ended with a desperate assault on the visitors' tryline, however it was not enough to deny a famous result for the Pumas. While it should be noted that it was the Lions' first time playing together as the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, they were still heavily favoured against a Pumas team missing several key players involved in the French Top 14 playoffs. The match started with a stunning three-and-a-half minute opening passage, that was halted a metre out from the Lions' line after some ambitious attack from the Pumas. Tomas Albornoz knocked over an easy penalty attempt after the Lions were caught offside, which was matched a few minutes later by a long range effort by Fin Smith. It didn't take long for the Pumas to score the first try of the match, a sweeping move finished off by winger Ignacio Mendy. By that stage the Lions had two tries disallowed by the TMO, first when hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie lost the ball over the line and then when another knock on in the lead up spoiled Sione Tuipulotu diving over under the posts. However, there was no denying Bundee Aki in front of his home crowd after 20 minutes, the big centre stepping and powering his way over to give the Lions their first lead of the game. It was short-lived as the Pumas' then dominated the rest of the first half, Albornoz kicking another two penalties and then scoring a stunning try off a turnover from a Lions ruck in the Pumas' 22. Down 21-10 at halftime, the Lions were staring down the barrel of a humiliation but got back into gear when the forwards rumbled to the Pumas' line straight off the restart. Referee James Doleman had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try after persistent infringement by the defenders. The Lions then retook the lead thanks to another popular try to Irish lock Tadhg Beirne, but again that only lasted five minutes before the Pumas scored yet another incredible try. This time the ball was regathered off a bomb on halfway, then quick hands saw it toed ahead for Santiago Cordero to sprint after and beat the cover defence to dive on and score in the corner. Albornoz crucially converted to give the Pumas a four-point lead, which left it up to the Lions to score a try to win the game. Despite some adventurous play from the Lions, they simply couldn't crack a determined Pumas defence, led by an outstanding effort once again by loose forward Pablo Matera. He was backed up well with a monster game by number eight Joaquin Oviedo, while the inside back combination of Gonzalo Garcia and Albernoz was highly effective. It will also be a very satisfying feeling for coach Felipe Contepomi, who guided the side to victories over the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies last season. This is the second time the Pumas have muddied the waters. In 2005 they managed a 25-all draw before Sir Clive Woodward's Lions embarked on an ultimately disastrous tour of New Zealand. They play the first fixture of their nine-match tour of Australia in Perth against the Western Force on 28 June. Read how the game unfolded below.

Argentina try extends lead over British and Irish Lions

BBC News

11 hours ago

Sport
BBC News

Argentina try extends lead over British and Irish Lions

Update: Date: 20:48 BST Title: Try - Lions 10-19 Argentina Content: Tomas Albornoz Wow. That's a massive score! Update: Date: 20:48 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-14 Argentina But Argentina win it back and they're in! Update: Date: 20:48 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Fin Smith has been the stand out player for Lions this first half, looks a class act! Jack, New Zealand Update: Date: 20:48 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-14 Argentina The clock is in the red and Argentina just need to clear, but the Lions turn it over! Update: Date: 20:47 BST Title: Penalty - Lions 10-14 Argentina Content: Tomas Albornoz It's the easiest kick of the day for the fly-half and he extends Argentina's lead. We'll just have time for a restart with 35 seconds on the clock. Update: Date: 20:46 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina Pablo Matera is brought down just short! So close to a second Argentina try. Play is brought back for a penalty, but that was huge defence by Tuipultou to keep the Pumas out. Update: Date: 20:45 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina The Pumas win the scrum and the forwards are chipping away at the Lions' line. Update: Date: 20:43 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina It's kicked through again and Marcus Smith is forced into giving away a five-metre scrum by carrying the ball across his own line before he's swallowed up. Big chance as we edge towards the break. Update: Date: 20:42 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina Argentina have a great platform as Santiago Carreras lands a 50/22 which bobbles just the right side of the line. Update: Date: 20:42 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina This first half has absolutely flown by. We've only five minutes left until the break. Update: Date: 20:41 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina It's for a clearout by Joel Sclavi on Morgan as he got his hands on the ball. The Lions won the penalty anyway, so nothing changes. Update: Date: 20:40 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina On the topic of Jac Morgan, he gets over the ball at a ruck and wins the penalty for the Lions. We're going for another TMO check here. Update: Date: 20:39 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) I've seen enough of Jac Morgan, time to get Pollock on… yes in the first half. Chris, Wrexham Interesting and contrasting views going around. Patrick at 20:30 BST said Morgan was making a case for the starting jersey. I don't think Chris agrees. Update: Date: 20:36 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina When the Lions' attack is flowing it looks really, really good. They work it well off the line-out as Freeman breaks clear of a tackle, but Tuipulotu just can't find Aki and the ball drops forward. Update: Date: 20:35 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-11 Argentina The Lions' scrum is on top so far and they win a penalty just inside Argentina's half. Smith makes some decent territory and they'll have the throw deep in the 22. Update: Date: 20:33 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Do you think we are watching a Test centre pairing and 10/15 combination? Danny Update: Date: 20:33 BST Title: Penalty - Lions 10-11 Argentina Content: Tomas Albornoz Tomas Albornoz lands the kick to put Argentina back in front by a single point. Update: Date: 20:31 BST Title: Post Content: Lions 10-8 Argentina Argentina win a penalty as Tom Curry is pinged for holding on at the ruck and the Pumas point to the posts. Update: Date: 20:31 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Who has impressed you so far? Let us know your thoughts! Update: Date: 20:30 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Should every country be represented in the Lions Test 23? Jac Morgan is certainly making a case for the seven jersey.... Patrick