Overview

• The British & Irish Lions extended their unbeaten Australian tour streak to seven with a 24-19 midweek victory over the invitational First Nations & Pasifika XV A heavily rotated ‘B team’ showing was undermined by handling errors and injuries to Darcy Graham (ankle) and Marcus Smith (head knock), raising fitness concerns before the Test
• Captain Owen Farrell made his first start of the tour and played a key role in creating tries even as questions emerged over team cohesion
• Head coach Andy Farrell urged rapid improvement and labelled the upcoming second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as “the biggest game of our lives”
• Competition for the final 23-man matchday squad has intensified, particularly at fullback and in midfield, as players vie for spots in the series-deciding Test