British and Irish Lions rout AUNZ Invitational 48-0 in final tune-up

AU & NZ Invitational 0-48 British and Irish Lions, Adelaide

The British & Irish Lions recorded a commanding 48–0 victory over the AUNZ Invitational XV at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, delivering their most clinical performance of the 2025 tour so far.

The win came through eight tries, strong forward momentum, and a disciplined defensive display that left the AUNZ side scoreless.

The Lions struck early through Duhan van der Merwe, who finished off a swift line-out move in the seventh minute, though the conversion was missed.

Just four minutes later, scrum-half Ben White added the second try of the match, which Fin Smith converted to take the Lions 12–0 ahead.

The momentum stayed firmly in their hands as van der Merwe grabbed his second try in the 21st minute, powering over on the left, though another missed conversion kept the score at 17–0 going into half-time.

The second half began in similar fashion, with centre Sione Tuipulotu breaking through to score just four minutes after the restart. Smith added the extras to stretch the lead to 24–0.

The Lions’ pack took control in the next phase of play, and Scott Cummings forced his way over in the 62nd minute. Another successful conversion by the England fly-half made it 31–0.

Van der Merwe then completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute, capping off a dominant individual performance. However, the conversion attempt was again off target.

Moments later, replacement hooker Ronan Kelleher scored from a rolling maul making it 41-0 as the AUNZ lost Shannon Frizell to yellow card. The final try of the game came in the 76th minute from Henry Pollock, who capitalised on a loose ball. The conversion was spot on from Smith this time, confirming the final score at 48–0.

The closing moments of the match saw disciplinary trouble for the AUNZ side Joshua Fusitu’a shown yellow card in the dying minutes. Despite being reduced to 13 men, the AUNZ side managed to hold off any further scoring as the final whistle blew.

The Lions now head into the first Test against Australia scheduled at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 19th July with strong momentum, having ended their warm-up fixtures in emphatic style.

AUNZ XV: Stevenson; Lam, Laumape, Havili (co-capt), Koroibete; Edmed, Fakatava; Ross, Paenga-Amosa, Toomaga-Allen, Salakaia-Loto (co-capt), Blyth, Frizell, Samu, Sotutu.

Reserves: 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.

Reserves: Kelleher, Porter, Bealham, Cummings, Van der Flier, Mitchell, M Smith, Farrell.