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Scrappy Lions put through paces by under-strength Waratahs

rugby05 July 2025 12:19| © AFP
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Scotland centre Huw Jones crossed twice as a scrappy British and Irish Lions were forced to battle hard in grinding past a second-string Waratahs 21-10 on Saturday, offering the Wallabies a glimmer of hope.

The tourists outscored the home side three tries to two at a packed Sydney Football Stadium, banking a third straight win of their Australia tour.

But it was less than convincing against a team missing a slew of players on Australia duty that had lost five of their last six Super Rugby games.

"A lot of dropped balls, a lot of turnovers, the ball was a bit slippery out there," Lions skipper Tadhg Beirne said of his side's performance.

"It was a bit frustrating from our end in terms of not being very clinical.

"That cohesiveness that we're looking for wasn't probably there, so that's the most frustrating part.

"We probably lacked physicality at times and that is something we're going to have to look at."

After scoring 16 tries and 106 points in their opening two games, the Lions lacked invention and physical presence, missing rested playmaker Finn Russell and skipper Maro Itoje.

They took a 14-5 advantage into the break, but it was a mediocre first 40 minutes, with too many mistakes and poor decision-making.

The second half was marginally better as substitutes came on, but nowhere near as slick as their first two games to give Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt plenty to ponder ahead of the opening test on July 19.

"Super proud. the Aussie media had a crack at us thinking we're going to get beat by 90, or 50, or 60, and we showed them," Waratahs skipper Hugh Sinclair said.

"Obviously the game was scrappy ... Lions would be disappointed by that. But we showed they're beatable.

"They're 15 blokes on a field, put some pressure on and things can happen."

The Lions had a setback before kickoff when exciting young blindside flanker Harry Pollock was ruled out with what coach Andy Farrell described as "a slight problem with the calf".

NIFTY FOOTWORK

It saw Beirne move from lock to six and Scott Cummings promoted off the bench to the second row.

The Lions leaked an early try against both Western Force and the Reds, and were nearly caught on the hop again.

Hugo Keenan dropped the ball on three minutes and the Waratahs raced away, with Mack Hansen making a try-saving tackle to save the Lions blushes.

They quickly settled and, with Owen Farrell watching on after controversially jetting in as cover for injured utility back Elliot Daly, opened their account on 12 minutes.

Set free by Sione Tuipulotu from a lineout, Jones – the only repeat starter from their last game against the Reds – sliced through the defence with Fin Smith adding the extras.

But despite the Lions dominating territory and possession, the Waratahs' defence proved resolute and the home side worked their way into the game.

Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble broke free from a maul and dotted down near the half-hour mark to jubilation from the 40 568 fans. But the try was denied for obstruction.

The Lions responded immediately with Jones again the main man, using nifty footwork to score his second try, and third of the tour, after picking up a flat pass from scrum-half Alex Mitchell.

But the 'Tahs kept coming and finally got their reward when winger Darby Lancaster streaked free down the left to keep them in the hunt at halftime.

They struck again soon after the restart, with Ethan Dobbins barging over to make it 14-10.

With a raft of substitutes on, the Lions perked up and claimed their third try through Mitchell, who dummied and darted over after grabbing the ball from the back of the maul.

But that was as good as it got.

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