Duhan van der Merwe delivered a stunning hat-trick as the British and Irish Lions demolished the AUNZ Invitational XV with an emphatic 48-0 victory in Adelaide. The win marked a dominant performance for the Lions in their final warm-up game before facing the Wallabies in the upcoming Test series.
Van der Merwe set the tone early, scoring two of his three tries in the first half, while Ben White added another to put the Lions firmly in control. The second half saw the Lions continue their relentless attack, with Sione Tuipulotu, Scott Cummings, and van der Merwe completing the try-scoring spree—all six tries coming from Scottish players. Ronan Kelleher and Henry Pollock added two more to cap off an eight-try rout.
The Lions' performance was a stark contrast to their earlier tour matches, showcasing their speed, precision, and ruthlessness. However, the victory was marred by injuries to key players. Garry Ringrose was ruled out of the first Test due to a head injury, while Luke Cowan-Dickie was stretchered off after a collision but later returned to watch the second half. Head coach Andy Farrell hinted at the possibility of calling in additional cover for the hooker.
Owen Farrell made a second-half appearance, looking sharp despite limited recent game time. His presence added to the Lions' dominance, as they continued to dismantle the AUNZ side. Hugo Keenan, Huw Jones, and Jac Morgan also delivered standout performances, solidifying their cases for starting roles in the Test series.
The Lions' fast start was a highlight of the match, with van der Merwe’s opening try setting the tone. The team’s cohesion and attacking flair were on full display, leaving the AUNZ Invitational XV struggling to keep pace. Marcus Smith and Finn Smith contributed with conversions, ensuring the scoreline reflected the Lions' superiority.
As the Lions head into Test week, this commanding performance has undoubtedly boosted their confidence. With injuries posing challenges, the squad will need to maintain their momentum and depth to tackle the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Line-ups: AUNZ XV: Stevenson; Lam, Laumape, Havili (co-capt), Koroibete; Edmed, Fakatava; Ross, Paenga-Amosa, Toomaga-Allen, Salakaia-Loto (co-capt), Blyth, Frizell, Samu, Sotutu. Replacements: Eklund, Fusitu'a, Dyer, Philip, Brial, Thomas, McLaughlin-Phillips, Campbell. British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; F Smith, White; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Ryan, Beirne (capt), Pollock, Morgan, Earl. Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Bealham, Cummings, Van der Flier, Mitchell, M Smith, Farrell.
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