First Nations and Pasifika XV v British and Irish Lions: Winners and losers as Henry Pollock gets humbled while ‘unlucky’ back has nervous wait
British and Irish Lions winners and losers as Pollock get humbled and 'unlucky' back has nervous wait
The British and Irish Lions held on to beat the First Nations and Pasifika XV 19-24 on Tuesday in their final midweek match before their tour concludes with two final Tests against the Wallabies.
Here are the winners and losers from today’s match.
Winners
Jamie Osborne
A late call-up to the Lions squad, but he certainly made an impact with his first start. Osborne got on the scoresheet twice in a match where every score mattered. Although he made a couple of very simple knock-ons, his time in a Lions shirt will only be remembered for the positives.
First Nations and Pasifika XV physicality
The Lions struggled to compete with the physicality their opponents brought. The first quarter felt like it could turn into a simple training match for the Lions, but, as the hosts built into the game, the Lions realised that they had a real test on their hands.
First Nations and Pasifika XV (FNP) dominated each collision as they reminded the Lions that they were still very much in a real match. Taniela Tupou was one of those that had a point to prove and he did just that as he put himself in the Wallabies frame for this weekend’s Test.
Owen Farrell
Is he edging towards Test selection? The veteran put in an impressive performance as skipper as he steered the Lions around the field and laid on a lovely try for Duhan van der Merwe in the closing stages. Farrell is proving his fitness in Australia and also showing a calmness that his father might wish to use in the high pressure atmosphere of the second Test. We wait to see his decision.
Scott Cummings
After a particularly poor start to the tour, the Scotland lock has now put himself back into contention for a Test spot. His last two performances have been superb, doing all the dirty work that allows the flashier players to strut their stuff. With Joe McCarthy struggling to return from injury, and Ollie Chessum rumoured to be replacing him in the starting line-up, there could well be a bench opportunity for Cummings.
Rob Leota
It was his try that set up a nervy last 10 minutes of the match for the Lions. Against all odds, Leota scored in front of his home town crowd, taking the FNP back to within a score. On a different day, his score could have been the catalyst to a famous victory.
Jamie George
The set-piece went awry in the second half of Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane and George showed that he could add value in that area for the next match of the series this weekend. Apart from one underthrown lineout, it was generally a very assured performance and he has put himself in contention for a place in the 23 against the Wallabies.
Losers
Darcy Graham
Arguably the biggest loser of the squad, Graham was left out of the initial 38-man selection, but after a series of injuries, and some voices of concern surrounding the wing options, he finally got his well-deserved call-up.
Graham made a huge impact on proceedings, making 54 metres and scoring a try before being taken off with injury. Sadly, his injury occurred within just 16 minutes, and now the unlucky back has a nervous wait to see just how serious it is, and if it will allow him to be in contention for a Lions Test spot.
Absolutely gutting for Darcy Graham. A player in my opinion who should’ve been with the Lions from the off. Departing have made 54m from 5 carries with a try in 15 minutes is quite the return. #Lions2025
— Philip Bendon (@PBendon) July 22, 2025
Henry Pollock
There’s no denying that Pollock has some stones, but sadly for him, today he was truly humbled by Seru Uru. Initiating the scuffle with the giant Fijian-born Reds player, Pollock very unwisely grabbed his opponent’s scrum hat. Before the 20-year-old English lad knew it, the 6’6″ flanker was kneeling on top of him, teaching him a very valuable lesson.
Lions cohesion
This was a completely different Lions lineout to the one that played on Saturday, and it showed. The Lions’ team cohesion was not existent as they struggled to counteract the FNP’s physicality. Simple mistakes were made by players who are normally very confident on the ball, and the overall tempo lacked any real rhythm.
Jack Debreczeni
Substitutes should have energy, and backs should have pace. Debreczeni, the substitute back, should have had both. So when he telegraphed an interception pass by the Lions, it should have been a simple saunter to the line to take the lead at the end of the first half. Instead, he failed to back his pace, made a poor pass and then tripped over his own feet. End result – no try.
READ MORE: British and Irish Lions survive First Nations & Pasifika XV scare in Melbourne
