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The Independent
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
The main talking points as British and Irish Lions target Australia whitewash
The British and Irish Lions are aiming to complete a series whitewash of Australia when the rivals clash for the final time at Accor Stadium on Saturday. Here the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into the Sydney showdown. Lions target clean sweep Andy Farrell's tourists enhanced their reputations by showing they have the character to match their quality after emerging from a desperately tight second Test with a series victory. Now they are determined to take their place in the Lions pantheon by ending their Australia expedition with a 100 per cent record. No Lions team have won every Test since the 1927 visit to Argentina, while the 1974 'Invincibles' who took on South Africa were the last side to complete an unbeaten tour. Final Test but full throttle The series may already have been won, but no mercy is being shown to Australia in selection. Rather than rotating in fresh legs to reward deserving squad members who just missed the cut, the established 23 have been retained with the hard grafting James Ryan and unpredictable Blair Kinghorn the only new starters. The selection for the Sydney Olympic Park clash reflects how much the Lions value the clean sweep and by Saturday night only 27 players will have been used in the Tests. Leading the pride Farrell has been reluctant to say if he wanted to take charge of the next Lions tour to New Zealand in 2029, but after masterminding Australia's demise with a game to spare, the job would be his to turn down. Apart from the success on the field, the Ireland boss has created a harmonious squad environment and is revered by his players and coaching staff. When the tourists talk about a united squad effort, they mean it. 'I just love everything that the Lions is about' said Farrell on Thursday and there is no better champion for the institution described by manager Ieuan Evans as a 'glorious anachronism'. Among the greats Tadhg Furlong reaches a special milestone on Saturday by making his ninth successive start for the Lions, becoming only the seventh player to do so but the first in the professional era. For three consecutive tours the remarkable Ireland tighthead prop has acted as the cornerstone of the scrum, as well proving his quality in every other department of the game. Adding to the achievement is that he has kept his place in the Lions' front row despite his season being ravaged by calf and hamstring injuries. When he returns home, it will be as a Lions great. The Wallabies' last stand Australia shot down critics questioning their place among the Lions' tour destinations by going within 51 seconds of winning a captivating second Test. It was the performance needed from the Wallabies to validate the tour but the question now is how much they have left in the tank after rising to the occasion so manfully in Melbourne. Star forward Rob Valetini has been ruled out by his calf problem, but offsetting that major blow is that Will Skelton is able to continue in the second row despite his recent calf injury. The Wallabies are underdogs, but avoiding a whitewash is all the motivation they need to cause an upset.
France 24
01-08-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Farrell says debate over Australia as Lions destination 'insulting'
The Lions are seeking a series whitewash when they clash for the final time in Sydney on Saturday, having won the first Test in Brisbane comfortably before edging a nail-biter at Melbourne last weekend. Should they complete a clean sweep, it would be the first time since 1974 that they have gone through a Test series unbeaten. They have won all eight tour games so far. Australia, part of a four-year rotation with New Zealand and South Africa as Lions destinations, are sixth in the world rankings, having dropped as low as 10 after a horror 2023 World Cup. It has sparked chatter that the Lions should seek tougher competition and better commercial opportunities elsewhere, with Argentina and France said to be keen for a slice of the action. But Farrell said it was not on his radar and would be a mistake to dismiss Australia. "I don't think it was ever on the agenda, in my opinion," Farrell told British media Friday of any threat to Australia as hosts. "It would be tragic for us not to tour here. We've had a blast, and to me it's insulting to even talk about it in that type of way." Australia are undergoing a rebuild with coach Joe Schmidt after being dumped out of the 2023 World Cup at the pool stages for the first time when Eddie Jones was at the helm. Schmidt has been credited with bringing stability and a new work ethic, while blooding a lot of young players, with his efforts seen as work in progress. "Every single team, country, province has their ups and downs, but Australia with the sporting nation they are, are always going to come back," added Farrell. "That performance (by Australia) on the weekend was no surprise to us, and that's why we expect them to be better on Saturday. "Have a look at the year they've got coming up. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with 100 percent, through all their experiences, come the World Cup in 2027." The Lions first toured Australia in 1888.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australia send West Indies in to bat in final T20
Australia have made two changes to their T20I team after keeping their perfect toss record as they pursue a clean sweep on their eight-match cricket tour of the Caribbean It is the fifth straight time West Indies have been sent in after Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss on Monday (Tuesday AEST). Paceman Ben Dwarshuis and game-three century-maker Tim David have been recalled in place of quick Xavier Bartlett and batter Cooper Connolly for the match in Basseterre, St Kitts. West Indies have also made two changes, with quick Alzarri Joseph and batter Keacy Carty coming in for Roston Chase and the injured Rovman Powell. Australia have won the four previous T20 games after taking out all three Tests against West Indies. Legspinner Adam Zampa is playing his 100th T20I, just the fourth Australian to reach that milestone. Australia have won 11 of their past 12 T20I matches, while West Indies have suffered 10 losses from their past 11 games. WEST INDIES: Brandon King, Shai Hope (capt), Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Jediah Blades AUSTRALIA: Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Aaron Hardie, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Robertson relieved as All Blacks survive fierce France challenge
All Blacks coach Scott Roberton was relieved his team "found a way" to stave off a fierce challenge from France, pulling away late to win the third Test 29-19 on Saturday and complete a series clean sweep. New Zealand took the lead for the first time with only 20 minutes remaining in Hamilton as an under-strength France faded in their last game of a long season, eventually conceding four tries to one. Robertson commended the "gallant" performance of the tourists, who had left most of their best players at home. "They've come over here to our beautiful winter and put on a performance like that. They'd be very proud," Robertson told reporters. "We'll be better for the experience as a group. Ten points down at one stage and we found a way, played some really good footy and we're better for it." France's bigger forward pack and greater physical commitment helped them dominate the first half. The visitors led 10-0 early and then 19-10 on the stroke of half-time before centre Anton Lienert-Brown scored a key try to reduce the deficit at the break to two points. The hosts played with greater energy in the second half, keeping France scoreless and creating tries for forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister, who were both making their first Test starts. Captain Ardie Savea admitted his New Zealand side, featuring 10 starting changes, were caught off guard. "We got kind of punched in the nose in the first half and then, you know, we came back in the second," Savea said. "We were able to build phases and build pressure. We converted it into points." The victory sealed a series in which France were highly competitive despite their depleted squad. They lost a combative first Test 31-27 in Dunedin but were well beaten 41-17 in the second Test in Wellington. "I'm really proud of the boys, the effort we put in today," said France lock Joshua Brennan. "It's a shame we lost but we played against a great All Black team and I'm just proud of the performance." - Courage not enough - "These last two weeks, the way we've evolved our rugby as well, I'm really proud," added Brennan. New Zealand have swept all five three-match series between the sides, also winning 3-0 in 1961, 1968, 2013 and 2018. "We hung on, we were courageous, but at this level, it's not enough unfortunately," France wing Theo Attissogbe told Canal Plus television. "So we have to be realistic, we're leaving with three defeats, but we're going to continue to work hard and we'll see what we're lacking to reach the level of the best in the world." France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec crossed early for the first of his 16 points, darting down the blind side from a lineout drive. His conversion and a penalty goal put the visitors 10 points clear before All Blacks wing Will Jordan struck against the run of play, chasing down a clever kick from scrum-half Cortez Ratima to score his 42nd try in 44 Tests. France scored two more Le Garrec penalties and a drop-goal by fly-half Antoine Hastoy. The home side finally edged ahead 22-19 when France failed to control a Damian McKenzie cross-kick and flanker Kirifi crossed for his first Test try. Hooker McAlister had a moment to savour on debut off the bench when he supported a break by Jordie Barrett and ran 15 metres to score the final try and seal the match in the dying minutes. dgi/dh
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Australia skittle Windies for 27 - lowest total for 70 years
Australia bowled out West Indies for just 27 - the second lowest score in Test history, and the worst since 1955 - to complete a 176-run win and series clean sweep in Jamaica. More to follow.
