British and Irish Lions beat Australia 27-19 in First Test

Australia 19-27 British and Irish Lions, Brisbane

The British and Irish Lions opened their 2025 series with an impressive 27-19 victory over Australia in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Dominating the first half with sharp execution and relentless pressure, the Lions built a commanding lead that proved too much for the Wallabies despite a spirited second-half fightback.

The Lions got off to a flying start with a penalty goal from Finn Russell in the very first minute, putting them ahead 3-0. Just eight minutes later, Russell played provider with a pinpoint pass to Sione Tuipulotu, who scored the opening try. Russell added the conversion to extend the lead to 10-0.

Australia responded in the 28th minute when Max Jorgensen found space and went over for the Wallabies’ first try, but Ben Donaldson missed the conversion, keeping the Lions ahead at 10-5.

Tom Curry powered through in the 36th minute to add another try for the visitors, converted again by Russell.

As halftime approached, hooker Dan Sheehan crossed the line in the 42nd minute, with Russell completing a perfect first-half kicking display. The Lions headed into the break with a commanding 24-5 lead, having scored three converted tries and a penalty in the opening 40 minutes.

Australia tried to mount a comeback in the second half, and they thought they had done so in the 60th minute when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii appeared to score. However, the TMO ruled out the try due to a failure to release the ball.

The Wallabies finally broke through in the 68th minute when Carlo Tizzano barged over the line and Donaldson added the extras to reduce the deficit to 24-12.

Just five minutes later, Marcus Smith slotted a penalty for the Lions, pushing the lead to 27-12 and effectively shutting the door on a full Australian recovery.

Despite a late try from Tate McDermott in the 79th minute, again converted by Donaldson, the Lions had done enough. The final whistle confirmed a 27-19 win for the tourists, who take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Team line up:

Australia: Wright, Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter, Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, Champion de Crespigny, McReight, Wilson

Reserves: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway

British and Irish Lions: Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Beirne, Curry, Conan

Reserves: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, Smith, Aki