Owen Farrell played the role of Captain Marvel in Melbourne but the rest of Lions failed to live up to their superhero billing in this edgy win. On his 21st appearance for the Lions, over four tours, and leading the side, Farrell was involved in three of four tries, punched his weight in midfield and could be a candidate for the 23 in Saturday’s second Test against Australia.
But Darcy Graham’s tour looks over after just 16 minutes of action after the wing, a late arrival on tour in his first appearance, went off with a knee injury. Graham was distraught as he limped away and Scotland team mate Finn Russell came down from the stands to console him.
Garry Ringrose, the Ireland centre, came on with Jamie Osborne shifted to the wing and his partnership with Farrell in midfield clicked immediately. And on the other side Farrell, at 12, formed a quick understanding with Fin Smith which could interest England boss Steve Borthwick in the autumn.
Farrell was in the thick of it from the off when he charged in to have a crack at Pasifika wing Triston Reilly. Reilly hit Graham with a high tackle that put him in touch then patted the Scotsman on the head enraging Farrell who sprinted in to stick up for Graham. It was the first bit of proper aggro we have seen on the tour and added spice.
Lions players including Henry Pollock and Scott Cummings were also flew in to have a go and the upshot was Reilly got yellow carded. But it was 14-14 all at the break after Farrell had made a score for Osborne with his boot and had a hand in one for Graham who sprinted in off Fin Smith’s long pass.
Reilly came back from the bin to intercept Blair Kinghorn’s attempted pass to Farrell and when back row Seru Uru went over it was all square. Osborne, switched the win after Graham’s injury went over just after the interval when he latched onto Kinghorn’s over the top pass.
Then Farrell’s show and go made a walk-in for Duhan van der Merwe but First Nations Pasifika made it nervy when Rob Leota finished off a period of pressure with a deserved score. A botched line out, with Ewan Ashman overthrowing, gave Pasifika one more chance but the Lions were relieved to hold on.
Scorers:
First Nations & Pasifika XV: Tries: Reilly, Uru, Leota; Cons: Beale (2)
British & Irish Lions: Osborne (2), Graham, Van der Merwe; Cons: F.Smith (2)