First Nations and Pasifika XV vs Lions AS IT HAPPENED: Tourists escape all-time upset against 'special' team
Updated . First published at
FIRST NATIONS AND PASIFIKA XV vs BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS
Welcome to Wide World of Sports' live coverage of the First Nations and Pasifika XV's clash with the British and Irish Lions.
Watch all the action from the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match live and on demand
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Lions survive 'special' challenge from First Nations and Pasifika XV
The British and Irish Lions held off the First Nations and Pasifika XV 24-19 in a tough, physical contest on Tuesday in the last of their midweek games on the Australian tour.
The Lions can now focus on trying to clinch the three-test series against the Wallabies on Saturday in Melbourne after winning the first match 27-19 last weekend in Brisbane.
"We've given ourselves a bit of a fright," Lions coach Andy Farrell said.
"Congratulations to the First Nations and Pasifika team, (they) made it a hard-fought contest that's for sure."
Osborne double sets up scratchy Lions win
British & Irish Lions 24 (Jamie Osborne 2, Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe tries; Fin Smith 2 conversions), First Nations & Pasifika XV 19 (Triston Reilly, Seru Uru, Rob Leota tries; Kurtley Beale 2 conversions). HT: 14-14
Gamble hails 'special' week for historic team
First Nations and Pasifika XV star Charlie Gamble has reflected on a terrific contest.
"It's been a pretty special week for our group and you saw it out there we were fighting hard for each other," Gamble told Stan Sport.
"The first 10 minutes of the second half let us down but we didn't give up until the end. We really connected this week and you could see that in the way we were fighting for each other.
"It's pretty tough when you see people saying you are going to get smashed by 50 points or 100 points but we showed we deserved to be out there."
FULLTIME: Lions 24, First Nations and Pasifika XV 19
Oh no, what's he done?!
With time up on the clock, First Nations and Pasifika XV youngster Jarrah McLeod inexplicably kicks the ball back to the Lions.
They gratefully boot the ball into touch to seal a 24-19 win at Marvel Stadium.
A shame for it to end that way but it's still been the best game of the tour so far.
"A classic," Andrew Swain says on Stan Sport.
The Lions remain unbeaten in Australia with two more Test matches to come.
Henry Pollock of the British and Irish Lions. Getty
Pollock comes up with huge turnover
Henry Pollock has come up with a huge turnover!
The Lions No.8 wins a breakdown penalty and his team lead 24-19 with time almost up.
Gamble named man of the match
First Nations and Pasifika XV flanker Charlie Gamble has been named man of the match.
He was unreal for the NSW Waratahs against the Lions as well.
Leota brings home crowd alive!
Rob Leota brings the home crowd alive as the First Nations and Pasifika XV stay in the fight!
They responded superbly to that Lions try and Melbourne product Leota went over next to the posts.
It's game on with the Lions leading 24-19 after 72 minutes.
They were massive favourites for this match but are getting a huge scare.
"Something special is what we're seeing," Justin Harrison says on Stan Sport.
Rob Leota of the First Nations & Pasifika celebrates after scoring a try. Getty
Lions backline stars show their class
The Lions backline stars show their class to finally break the First Nations and Pasifika XV.
It was nice hands from England playmakers Fin Smith and Owen Farrell to set up Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe.
That's a crucial try to put the Lions out to a 24-14 lead after 64 minutes.
That's van der Merwe's fifth try on tour.
Healthy crowd at Marvel Stadium
The crowd at Marvel Stadium has been announced as 30,420.
The Lions still lead 19-14 after 62 minutes and are in a real dogfight.
Jack Debreczeni is having a strong game for the First Nations and Pasifika XV and Michael Hooper is even talking him up for the Wallabies!
Lions try scrubbed out for knock on
A Lions try to Josh van der Flier is scrubbed out because of a knock on from his Ireland teammate Garry Ringrose.
The Lions lead 19-14 after 50 minutes.