Brumbies vs British and Irish Lions live: Result and reaction as tourists prevail in hard-fought contest
Brumbies 24-36 Lions: Another patchy performance leaves improvements needed ahead of the first Test next week
The British and Irish Lions remained unbeaten since arriving in Australia as they prevailed 36-24 over a battling Brumbies side - though it was another mixed performance from Andy Farrell’s tourists.
Having named what looked close to a possible Test team for the clash in Canberra, Farrell might have expected more from his selection, though the Lions were unable to find full form and fluency as they again encountered problems at the breakdown. Tries from Ollie Chessum, James Lowe, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier ensured victory was secured with a degree of comfort on the scoreboard, but improvements will be needed in 10 days’ time when the Lions take on the Wallabies in Brisbane in the first Test.
There will be concern, also, over the fitness of Blair Kinghorn, who was replaced inside half-an-hour after an early knock. The Lions have one more outing against a composite Australia and New Zealand XV in Adelaide on Saturday, giving a few of those on the fringes a last chance to force their way into the Test team.
Follow all of the latest from Canberra with our live blog below:
Brumbies 5-0 Lions, 8 minutes
The Lions scrum has, however, gone well on tour and earns a free kick. Away Gibson-Park goes in haste as the visitors launch their first attack in earnest...though they are turned over with a thumping counter-ruck on the right touchline! Ruck detail again an issue...
Brumbies 5-0 Lions, 7 minutes
The Lions just can’t seem to get their starts right. In every game, they’ve been sloppy or slow in getting going - something they surely can’t afford come the Test series.
A lineout is far from smoothly performed but Jamison Gibson-Park settles proceedings, and his teammates, down with a hanging box kick that the Brumbies can’t successfully field. It’ll be a Lions scrum 30 metres out on the left.
TRY! BRUMBIES 5-0 Lions (Tuaina Taii Tualima, 5 minutes)
You bet they can! A dynamite start from the Brumbies - and another stumble out of the blocks from the Lions...
Canberra is jumping and so is Tuaina Taii Tualima, evading a couple of low Lions to get to the line...just about! The initial footage isn’t totally conclusive but Pierre Brousset is quick to give it on the field, and the right angle is soon found.
Brumbies 0-0 Lions, 3 minutes
Clever! A neat and nifty move at the front delivers real momentum as Rhys van Nek thunders into a couple of Lions. Can the Brumbies convert this into an opening score?
Brumbies 0-0 Lions, 2 minutes
The Brumbies probe the right corner and soon earn an advantage for offside following a short maul drive. Maro Itoje’s defensive effort is more accurate but the Brumbies will come back for the penalty, and Declan Meredith returns them to the corner - their lineout operated very well in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
Brumbies 0-0 Lions, 1 minute
The Lions get hands to the opening kick off but the Brumbies are quickly upon it. And that’s sloppy from the tourists, Dan Sheehan blocking as he retreats after a high hanging box kick from Brumbies skipper Ryan Lonergan. A good chase from Ben O’Donnell, one of two former Australia Sevens stars on the wing for the hosts tonight.
KICK OFF!
A blast of the whistle and Finn Russell gets things underway!
Lions vs Brumbies
Out the players come into the chilly Canberra night, a few of the Lions backs donning undershirts to keep warm.
Here we go
Right, kick off is near in Canberra. It’s Frenchman Pierre Brousset leading the officiating team today, the referee having hot-footed it down from Newcastle after overseeing Australia’s win against Fiji on Sunday. The Lions and Brumbies have developed something of a rivalry over their last two meetings, separated by 12 years, with the Canberra side pushing the tourists mightily close in 2001 before beating them in 2013. A repeat result feels unlikely here but you never, never know...
What will the Lions be looking for tonight?
It is properly cold in Canberra, those in attendance layered up with overnight temperatures not far above freezing. The Lions have suggested this week that they want to go through the front door a little more often having admitted themselves that they’ve gone wide too early too often during their recent tour games - expect a bit more up the jumper stuff, though married to some trademark Irish intricacy.
This feels like a big night for flankers Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry - the latter particularly is facing huge competition for that No 7 shirt but has so much proof of turning it on when the biggest matches come, and vital Lions experience in a squad slightly short on past tourists. Chessum, meanwhile, really balances this pack.
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