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eNCA
6 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Lions tame Brumbies for fourth straight win on Australia tour
CANBERRA - Marcus Smith and Ollie Chessum got on the scoresheet as a defiant British and Irish Lions fought past a gutsy ACT Brumbies 36-24 on Wednesday, piercing their defence for five tries. On a frigid Canberra night, the visitors started slowly but found their groove as they count down to the first Test, building on a 19-10 half-time lead to bank a fourth consecutive win since landing in Australia. In the Lions' previous two games against the Brumbies, Australia's top Super Rugby side, only two points had separated them each time -- the tourists won 30-28 in 2001 and lost 14-12 in 2013. This time the Lions were convincing winners as players jostle for position in Andy Farrell's team for the opening Wallabies Test in Brisbane on 19 July. "The Brumbies were very good today. They challenged us throughout the whole game," Lions captain Maro Itoje said. "It was a hotly contested game, but another step in the right direction. "We're building a team. We're a group of individuals coming together. "The more we play, the better we will become, we just have to accelerate that." After two statement wins over Western Force and Queensland Reds, the tourists were scrappy against the NSW Waratahs, struggling to convert territory and possession into points. In response, Farrell named his strongest side of the tour so far and they were more cohesive, marshalled by Englishman Itoje. They cut down on the handling errors and showed more attacking intent under the guidance of Scottish playmaker Finn Russell, although the defence was leaky with the hosts' crossing four times. "Proud. I think the way we defended was quality and it shows how much pride the boys have in this jersey," Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan said. While the Brumbies were without their top players, who are on Australia duty, they still boasted plenty of firepower and had a brilliant start. - Kinghorn injury concern - Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan gave away a penalty and the Brumbies launched into a rolling maul that saw Tuaina Taii Tualima burrow over after just four minutes. The tourists woke from their slumber and levelled 10 minutes later when Bundee Aki broke the defence, with Russell luring two defenders before offloading for lock Chessum to dot down. They should have had another try soon after but Ireland winger James Lowe failed to ground the ball. Having lost Elliot Daly to a broken arm last week, there was a further fullback blow for the Lions when Blair Kinghorn went off in the first half and had his left knee put in an ice pack, with Smith replacing him. "I was just speaking to him (Kinghorn) then," Farrell told Sky Sports. "Someone had landed on his knee, he felt a little bit of something so he's walking around. So hopefully it's not too serious." Lowe had another chance on the half-hour mark, which this time he took after sharp hands from Sheehan and Jack Conan. Russell added the extras for a 12-5 lead, but the Brumbies struck back with another well-deserved try, courtesy of winger Corey Toole. AFP | DAVID GRAY A goal-line dropout by the Brumbies as the hooter sounded proved costly. The Lions gathered and attacked the line, with Smith finishing for a 19-10 lead at the break. An early second-half try to Garry Ringrose, who got on the end of a Smith grubber kick, stretched their advantage to 26-10. But the hosts again hit back when substitute Hudson Creighton scythed through. The Lions did not panic and a Russell penalty increased their buffer before a converted try by Josh van der Flier put the game beyond reach.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Lions tame gutsy Brumbies for fourth straight win on Australia tour
Lions pip Brumbies British and Irish Lions' Bundee Aki is tackled by ACT Brumbies' Rory Scott during their rugby match in Canberra on Wednesday. Photo: Saeed Khan/AFP Image: Saeed Khan/AFP Marcus Smith and Ollie Chessum got on the scoresheet as a defiant British and Irish Lions fought past a gutsy ACT Brumbies 36-24 on Wednesday, piercing their defence for five tries. On a frigid Canberra night, the visitors started slowly but found their groove as they count down to the first Test, building on a 19-10 half-time lead to bank a fourth consecutive win since landing in Australia. In the Lions' previous two games against the Brumbies, Australia's top Super Rugby side, only two points had separated them each time – the tourists won 30-28 in 2001 and lost 14-12 in 2013. This time the Lions were convincing winners as players jostle for position in Andy Farrell's team for the opening Wallabies Test in Brisbane on July 19. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "The Brumbies were very good today. They challenged us throughout the whole game," Lions captain Maro Itoje said. "It was a hotly contested game, but another step in the right direction. "We're building a team. We're a group of individuals coming together. "The more we play, the better we will become, we just have to accelerate that." After two statement wins over Western Force and Queensland Reds, the tourists were scrappy against the NSW Waratahs, struggling to convert territory and possession into points. In response, Farrell named his strongest side of the tour so far and they were more cohesive, marshalled by Englishman Itoje. They cut down on the handling errors and showed more attacking intent under the guidance of Scottish playmaker Finn Russell, although the defence was leaky with the hosts' crossing four times. "Proud. I think the way we defended was quality and it shows how much pride the boys have in this jersey," Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan said. While the Brumbies were without their top players, who are on Australia duty, they still boasted plenty of firepower and had a brilliant start. Kinghorn injury concern Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan gave away a penalty and the Brumbies launched into a rolling maul that saw Tuaina Taii Tualima burrow over after just four minutes. The tourists woke from their slumber and levelled 10 minutes later when Bundee Aki broke the defence, with Russell luring two defenders before offloading for lock Chessum to dot down. They should have had another try soon after but Ireland winger James Lowe failed to ground the ball. Having lost Elliot Daly to a broken arm last week, there was a further fullback blow for the Lions when Blair Kinghorn went off in the first half and had his left knee put in an ice pack, with Smith replacing him. "I was just speaking to him (Kinghorn) then," Farrell told Sky Sports. "Someone had landed on his knee, he felt a little bit of something so he's walking around. So hopefully it's not too serious." TLowe had another chance on the half-hour mark, which this time he took after sharp hands from Sheehan and Jack Conan. Russell added the extras for a 12-5 lead, but the Brumbies struck back with another well-deserved try, courtesy of winger Corey Toole. A goal-line dropout by the Brumbies as the hooter sounded proved costly. The Lions gathered and attacked the line, with Smith finishing for a 19-10 lead at the break. An early second-half try to Garry Ringrose, who got on the end of a Smith grubber kick, stretched their advantage to 26-10. But the hosts again hit back when substitute Hudson Creighton scythed through. The Lions did not panic and a Russell penalty increased their buffer before a converted try by Josh van der Flier put the game beyond reach. AFP
The Age
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold fared against Fiji
Gave away a scrum penalty after just two minutes for angling in illegally, and the Wallabies will have to work closely with scum coach Mike Cron before they face the Lions in the first Test – especially after teammate Taniela Tupou struggled for the Waratahs against the Lions on Saturday evening and given the focus on scrumming squarely. 4. Nick Frost - 6.5 Led tackle count for Australia (23) and won nine lineouts. Played a strong part in the Wallabies' early success in the rolling mauls. 5. Jeremy Williams - 5 Not a great outing for this talented player. Was pinged for an obvious obstruction with the Wallabies desperately chasing a win late in the game on an attacking lineout metres out from the Fiji line. His lack of discipline could have proved highly costly. An abrasive presence as ever, though. 6. Langi Gleeson - 6.5 Was desperate to impress on his return for the Wallabies and made a strong start with biting carries at the Fiji defence. Led the Wallabies in beating four defenders while carrying 20 metres. 7. Fraser McReight - 7 Scored a fine try and was at the centre of the Wallabies' work at the breakdown, coming up with two crucial steals. 8. Harry Wilson - 6.5 Calmness under pressure was never more evident than when, with his team doing everything possible to lose the game, he spun and somehow touched the ball down over the line to rescue victory with just minutes left. Also impressed getting up to steal a Fiji lineout. 9. Tate McDermott- 6 The halfback was lively with his trademark snipes early in the game, but his influence waned as the Fijians found their rhythm. 10. Noah Lolesio - 4.5 Left the field in a neck brace, but waved to the crowd to signal he was OK. Whether he will be fit to return for the Wallabies Test series with the Lions is another matter. Lolesio's game management was poor and with half-time looming, he put over a risky chip-kick that was plucked by Fiji and finished by Salesi Rayasi for a try. 11. Max Jorgensen - 6 Looked dangerous on his return from injury, but wasn't perfect – with an unforced knock-on after 70 minutes and three missed tackles. 12. Len Ikitau - 6 Had some lovely early touches, with a trademark flick to bamboozle the Fijian defence. Missed three tackles which is frustrating from a man of his defensive quality. Led with 14 carries. 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - 6 Relished the one-on-one battle with Fiji star Josua Tuisova. His reads in defence were largely sound and had some nice touches that exploited space. His understanding with Ikitau is still there from November. 14. Harry Potter - 5.5 Kicked the ball almost every time he received it, almost certainly acting under instructions. It rarely came off in the way he would have liked. Showed up well in aerial battles. 15. Tom Wright - 5 A consistently world-class player who will not remember this game with much fondness. Two Wallabies tries were rubbed out due to his forward passes. Was unable to find the space to run the ball and was shackled. 16. Billy Pollard - 5 Came on far earlier than expected. Was busy in the loose but shaky with his lineout throwing. 17. Angus Bell - 5 Limited to just five carries in his 34 minutes on the field after coming on for James Slipper. Will be a key starter in the Test series. 18. Zane Nonggorr- 5 Went about his business quietly but didn't look out of place. 19. Tom Hooper - 6.5 Reminded Australia of his quality in a 16-minute cameo. Led team in carries per minute. 20. Carlo Tizzano - 5 Will be frustrated he wasn't able to stamp his authority on the breakdown in his 23 minutes. 21. Nic White - 6 Brought calmness and a strong kicking game when the Wallabies needed it. 22. Ben Donaldson- 5
Sydney Morning Herald
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold fared against Fiji
Gave away a scrum penalty after just two minutes for angling in illegally, and the Wallabies will have to work closely with scum coach Mike Cron before they face the Lions in the first Test – especially after teammate Taniela Tupou struggled for the Waratahs against the Lions on Saturday evening and given the focus on scrumming squarely. 4. Nick Frost - 6.5 Led tackle count for Australia (23) and won nine lineouts. Played a strong part in the Wallabies' early success in the rolling mauls. 5. Jeremy Williams - 5 Not a great outing for this talented player. Was pinged for an obvious obstruction with the Wallabies desperately chasing a win late in the game on an attacking lineout metres out from the Fiji line. His lack of discipline could have proved highly costly. An abrasive presence as ever, though. 6. Langi Gleeson - 6.5 Was desperate to impress on his return for the Wallabies and made a strong start with biting carries at the Fiji defence. Led the Wallabies in beating four defenders while carrying 20 metres. 7. Fraser McReight - 7 Scored a fine try and was at the centre of the Wallabies' work at the breakdown, coming up with two crucial steals. 8. Harry Wilson - 6.5 Calmness under pressure was never more evident than when, with his team doing everything possible to lose the game, he spun and somehow touched the ball down over the line to rescue victory with just minutes left. Also impressed getting up to steal a Fiji lineout. 9. Tate McDermott- 6 The halfback was lively with his trademark snipes early in the game, but his influence waned as the Fijians found their rhythm. 10. Noah Lolesio - 4.5 Left the field in a neck brace, but waved to the crowd to signal he was OK. Whether he will be fit to return for the Wallabies Test series with the Lions is another matter. Lolesio's game management was poor and with half-time looming, he put over a risky chip-kick that was plucked by Fiji and finished by Salesi Rayasi for a try. 11. Max Jorgensen - 6 Looked dangerous on his return from injury, but wasn't perfect – with an unforced knock-on after 70 minutes and three missed tackles. 12. Len Ikitau - 6 Had some lovely early touches, with a trademark flick to bamboozle the Fijian defence. Missed three tackles which is frustrating from a man of his defensive quality. Led with 14 carries. 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - 6 Relished the one-on-one battle with Fiji star Josua Tuisova. His reads in defence were largely sound and had some nice touches that exploited space. His understanding with Ikitau is still there from November. 14. Harry Potter - 5.5 Kicked the ball almost every time he received it, almost certainly acting under instructions. It rarely came off in the way he would have liked. Showed up well in aerial battles. 15. Tom Wright - 5 A consistently world-class player who will not remember this game with much fondness. Two Wallabies tries were rubbed out due to his forward passes. Was unable to find the space to run the ball and was shackled. 16. Billy Pollard - 5 Came on far earlier than expected. Was busy in the loose but shaky with his lineout throwing. 17. Angus Bell - 5 Limited to just five carries in his 34 minutes on the field after coming on for James Slipper. Will be a key starter in the Test series. 18. Zane Nonggorr- 5 Went about his business quietly but didn't look out of place. 19. Tom Hooper - 6.5 Reminded Australia of his quality in a 16-minute cameo. Led team in carries per minute. 20. Carlo Tizzano - 5 Will be frustrated he wasn't able to stamp his authority on the breakdown in his 23 minutes. 21. Nic White - 6 Brought calmness and a strong kicking game when the Wallabies needed it. 22. Ben Donaldson- 5
