The British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia has been impeccable so far. They have won the six matches played, but the most recent victory, a 27-19 in the first Test against Australia, is the one that most satisfies Andy Farrell. There are still two test matches to be played, and the team has its sights set on sweeping the Wallabies this summer. Before that, the Lions must complete their last match of the tour, this time against a First Nations-Pasifika team led by Kurtley Beale.
Everything You Need to Know
When is the match?Date: Tuesday, July 12 at 8 p.m. AEST (11 a.m. BST)Location: Marvel Stadium, MelbourneParty Official: Nika AmashukeliHow to see itThe match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and on Stan Sport in Australia. TalkSport will offer live commentary on the radio.Alignments
Owen Farrell will captain the British and Irish Lions in their final match of the tour in Australia. Farrell has been honored by his father and Lions coach, Andy Farrell, and will play at inside center alongside English rising star Fin Smith. The match, which will be the last encounter for much of the Lions’ squad in Australia, also represents the opportunity for players like Jac Morgan and Blair Kinghorn to impress before the second clash with the Wallabies this weekend at the MCG. But getting into the 23-man squad for match day, aside from injuries, seems to be a difficult task given the Lions’ good performance in Brisbane after winning 27-19 at Suncorp Stadium. The Lions have also named Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock in a mobile attacking line, while James Ryan and Scott Cummins pair up in the lock. In the front row, Pierre Schoeman, Jamie George and Finlay Bealham present a very experienced engine room. Within Smith in the attacking line is Scottish scrum-half Ben White, while Irishman Jamie Osborne partners with Farrell in midfield after joining the team late last week. Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe complete a line of three Scots alongside Kinghorn. Meanwhile, the team has been embroiled in controversy after the Lions last week rejected the selection of Pete Samu in the First Nations-Pasifika team, sparking widespread public outrage in Australia. The team coach, Toutai Kefu, said he was “absolutely devastated” by the decision. Andy Farrell defended the “rules and regulations” that were used to block Samu’s inclusion. The First Nations-Pasifika team on Tuesday features several Wallabies players eager to impress in Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, and Filipo Daugunu.
