14h19 CEST
09/07/2025
The British and Irish Lions overcame another slow start with a controlled second-half performance to earn a 36-24 victory over ACT Brumbies on Wednesday.
With this billed as their toughest Test yet, the Lions came through it, showing bursts of their best as they continue to build momentum ahead of their Tests against Australia.
The Lions conceded just four minutes in, after Tuaina Taii Tualima launched himself over the ruck to get the opening try.
But they responded well, with Bundee Aki's huge carry opening the space for Ollie Chessum in the corner before James Lowe followed suit shortly after, having had a try disallowed six minutes earlier.
Corey Toole pulled Brumbies back within two points after breezing past Marcus Smith, who replaced the injured Blair Kinghorn, but he made up for that on the stroke of half-time, with Finn Russell's conversion then helping the Lions into a nine-point lead at the break.
Garry Ringrose got his reward for a bright performance early in the second half, latching onto Smith's bouncing ball just in time to extend their lead, though Brumbies would not back down, with Hudson Creighton crossing after profiting from a Tommy Freeman mistake.
Josh van der Flier got over after a Lions maul, with Russell's kicks helping to extend their cushion, giving Brumbies too much to do despite Liam Bowron's late try.
The Lions thought they had another late score to celebrate while Tom Hooper was in the sin bin, but Chessum was held up, and it did not count.
It's all over in Canberra #Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/hmoFWEkzQG
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 9, 2025
Data Debrief: Farrell's mixed bag
The Lions have won all four of their matches on Australian soil, but are still looking for stability on the tour, with their first Test against Australia now just 10 days away.
They showed flashes of their best, though, with Ringrose among the standouts, as he scored his third try of the tour in style as he started and finished off the move to give them a cushion.
But, despite their 428 metres made to Brumbies' 198, and six clean breaks to their opponents' four, Andy Farrell's side conceded 15 turnovers and had 10 handling errors, giving them work to do.