Lions player ratings vs FNP XV – Test hopefuls underperform in Melbourne Test

byTom Sansom

Lions player ratings vs FNP XV: Test hopefuls FLOP in Melbourne despite another win for British & Irish Lions in Melbourne.

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Lions scraped a tight 24-19 win at Marvel Stadium against the debuting First Nations & Pasifika XV, who pushed Farrell’s rotated squad all the way. Lions scored early—van der Merwe’s try chalked off for a knock-on by Darcy Graham—but Jamie Osbourne made his debut count with a quick try.

Graham’s sin-bin gave Lions the edge; Fin Smith found him for an 11th-minute score before an ankle injury forced Graham off. Triston Riley returned from the bin to snatch a try for FN&P, who leveled through Seru Uru after James Ryan was sin-binned for repeated offsides.

Second half, Osbourne bagged another try, and van der Merwe finally got his on a slick Farrell pass. Josh van der Flier’s try was disallowed for a knock-on, but FN&P’s Rob Leota closed in with a late try, nearly toppling the Lions in a thrilling debut match.

Scroll down for Lions player ratings vs FNP XV.

First Nations & Pasifika XV - 19

Tries: Reilly (18'), Uru (23'), Leota (71')
Cons: Beale (19', 24')
Pens:

British & Irish Lions - 24

Tries: Osborne (8', 45'), D Graham (11'), van der Merwe (63')
Cons: F Smith (9', 12')
Pens:

Lions player ratings vs FNP XV:

15. Blair Kinghorn – 6.5

Blistering break from the get-go, plenty for the Scotland fullback to prove ahead of the 2nd Test. Kinghorn then threw a wayward pass, allowing Triston Riley to intercept and break away for a 19th-minute try. Not his finest effort in the air, as he spilled a 31st-minute box kick. Sent a nice miss-pass to Osbourne for the early second-half try.

14. Darcy Graham – 6

Unlucky to step slightly into touch as the Lions broke free and Duhan van der Merwe’s try was ruled out in the early goings. Took a dangerous hit from Riley, yet rode the contact to stay on and then scored a first-half try out wide. Suffered an ankle injury and was withdrawn after 16 minutes.

13. Jamie Osbourne – 8

The recent addition from Ireland’s summer tour was the first man over the try-line for the Lions. Osbourne was fastest to Owen Farrell’s chip over the defence, grounding the ball in-goal after seven minutes. Couldn’t gather the 39th-minute kick, with his touch handing the ball back to FN&P for a line-out. Started strong in the second half to bag his brace with a try out wide.

12. Owen Farrell (C) – 8

Immediately involved in a scuffle after a hit on Darcy Graham was too high for his liking. Sent a delightful nudge into the backfield, with Jamie Osbourne collecting the ball to open the scoring. Threw a nice dummy before sending van der Merwe in for his 63rd-minute try.

11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7

Unlucky to have his try ruled out in the early goings, as Darcy Graham was hit into touch. Clattered in a double hit from his opposite man Triston Riley and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto at the half-hour mark. Got his try in the second half with a solid finish, thanks to Farrell’s assist.

10. Fin Smith – 7.5

Provided some nice wide passes from the get-go to unleash Darcy Graham for the Lions’ second try. Smith provided the Lions with a calm head amidst the high emotions and flaring tempers in Melbourne. Not his finest outing from the tee, with a few missed conversions hindering his day.

9. Ben White – 7

No hesitation to collect the kickoff and boot the ball away under immediate pressure. Confrontational and scrapping in the face of the FN&P players, with plenty of tempers flaring in Melbourne. Threw an intercepted pass in the final play of the first half, with a sigh of relief as van der Merwe made the save.

1. Pierre Schoeman – 7.5

Gave away a scrum penalty at the 20th minute to the ‘Tongan Thor’ Taniela Tupou. Scrum penalties have been rare on the Lions tour, with Schoeman slipping the standards slightly up front. Battled well around the park and emptied the tank out in Melbourne. Statement made ahead of the 2nd Test with an iron-man 73-minute performance.

2. Jamie George – 6.5

Accurate line-out throws as ever, it was good to see the former Lions mid-week captain back in red. Sent some nice offloads in contact, yet threw an unforced forward pass that left him frustrated at 48 minutes.

3. Finlay Bealham – 5.5

Flew into a ruck off his feet, with Seru Uru battling beyond the Connacht prop for a 28th-minute penalty. Overwhelmed at a 33rd-minute scrum, as Lington Ieli won the FN&P a scrum penalty.

4. James Ryan – 5

Sent to the sin bin after repeated penalties as FN&P crossed for their second try at 22 minutes. Ryan was caught offside and also gave away an illegal action at the breakdown. Worked tirelessly to make amends, with his scrum cap spotted in most rucks and mauls.

5. Scott Cummings – 6.5

Ruled the skies with a solid line-out reading. Turned over by Charlie Gamble as he drove to the try-line at a sixth-minute maul. Had the ball stolen from him in a 38th-minute maul, as FN&P threw everything into their defensive effort.

6. Jac Morgan – 7

Frustrated with himself after being unable to get underneath the ball to deny Seru Uru’s 22nd-minute try. Jackled well to win a breakdown penalty on the stroke of half-time. Worked well with van der Flier to secure a turnover early in the 2nd half.

7. Josh van der Flier – 6

A quiet first half from the usually impactful Irishman, with plenty to prove after Tom Curry was barnstorming in Brisbane. Whilst not in the spotlight, van der Flier was ever-present at the breakdown and combined with Jac Morgan for a 47th-minute turnover. Bagged a try at 50 minutes, yet it was cancelled out following a knock-on from Garry Ringrose. Lost the ball in contact at 53 minutes as he drove for the try-line from close range.

8. Henry Pollock – 7

Traded in his flair, line-breaks, and celebrations for a hard-fought gritty first-half effort. Digging in his heels to make the hard yards, Pollock scrapped with the titanic FN&P forwards to make his mark in red. Confrontational with Seru Uru for a telling-off at the maul, which showed his fight for the Lions.

REPLACEMENTS

16. Ewan Ashman (On 73' for George) – 5

On for the final moments of the match, to replace Jamie George. A late addition from the Scotland camp, who is unlikely to feature again.

17. Rory Sutherland (On 73' for Schoeman) – 5

Introduced for his second Lions tour, having been part of the 2021 trip to South Africa. Gave Schoeman a well-earned break for a brief run-out.

18. Tom Clarkson (On 54' for Bealham) – 7.5

Part of the contingency that was called up late into camp, Clarkson pulled no punches upon his Lions debut. Emptying the tank for his 36-minute outing, with plenty of excitement from the Irish prop. Hot first step into contact similar to countryman Tadhg Furlong.

19. Gregor Brown (On 54' for Ryan)

Made his Lions debut after only being called up to the squad on Sunday. Plenty of pressure given the ‘Geography’ question marks, but Brown proved his talents with strong hits and dominant clear-outs.

20. Ben Earl (On 51' for Morgan) – 7

A big performance was required by Earl to establish himself back into the conversation for the Lions’ Test squad. A fire was lit under Earl, with hits aplenty as he exploded off the bench.