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British & Irish Lions player ratings vs AUNZ XV | 2025 Lions series
By Josh Raisey
British & Irish Lions player ratings: The Lions triumphed over an AUNZ Invitational XV loaded with eight All Blacks and six Wallabies 48-0 on Saturday at the Adelaide Oval in what was the best performance so far of 2025.
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That was it. That was the final audition for players to stake a late claim for a Test spot before taking on Australia next Saturday in Brisbane.
Does Andy Farrell already have his Test squad set in stone? Possibly. But there may be some areas that are still open. Did anyone do anything to change his plans? Surely.
Here’s how the players rated:
15. Hugo Keenan – 8
Needed a good showing after a shaky return to play last week against the Waratahs, particularly as Blair Kinghorn’s unavailability is still in question. Was sharp to take a quick lineout after a kick went out on the full, creating the Lions’ opening try. Seemed back to his normal self, patrolling the backfield and joining the line to great effect with perfect decision-making.
14. Mack Hansen – 8
Up against Wallabies veteran Marika Koroibete, Hansen handled the 32-year-old flyer well then responded with what he does best. Popped up a few times on the left and delivered some crisp passes to Duhan van der Merwe, one of which resulted in a try. Could have had another assist on the same side, but his offload was spilt by Luke Cowan-Dickie. Covers so much ground and gets through so much work.
13. Huw Jones – 8
Whatever Garry Ringrose does, Jones can do better, or, at least, just as well. The Scot puts in a standout performance one week, the Irishman responds with another superb match. Jones has replied again with another barnstorming 50 minutes, beating the formidable Ngani Laumape with guile. A lovely touch put Duhan van der Merwe in for the first try, a tryline rip, breaks galore – terrific yet again. Who starts in the No.13 jersey? Who knows.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 8.5
It feels like it is either going to be the Irish Ringrose and Bundee Aki or the Scottish Jones and Tuipulotu as the two centre combinations for the Tests. With the two No.13s evenly poised, it may actually be Tuipulotu that tips the balance following a try-scoring display where he was a perpetual threat.
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11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7.5
A disastrous start, losing the ball in contact with his first carry, but crossed the line after seven minutes – a positive for a player desperately chasing a Test spot – and had his second soon after. Got his hat-trick 15 minutes before full-time when he raced into the corner. The space behind him, however, was frequently exploited by AUNZ with kicks behind. He may have scored a hat-trick, but, bizarrely, it may not have been enough to earn a Test starting spot.
10. Fin Smith – 7.5
Has built a smooth relationship with Tuipulotu, with the two swapping and sharing the first-receiver roles – shown by the side’s second try. With that extra time and space, the backline looked the most potent it has by far. The 23-year-old’s defence was a strong point, with some big carriers going down his channel. A match-leading 16 tackles when he left the field after 50 minutes. Not his best goal-kicking display.
9. Ben White – 9
A first start for the call-in scrum-half and had a dream first 10 minutes – worked in tandem to take a quick lineout with Keenan to open the scoring, then exploited a gap in a lacklustre defence to score himself. That set the tone for a near-faultless display from the Scot. Even produced a decisive tackle in the corner.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 8
Contributed the most out of the tight-five with the ball in an 80-minute display, but couldn’t make many metres in the tight. His handling was deft, though, linking with Smith well, and got an assist returning the ball to Ronan Kelleher from close range for the hooker to score.
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2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 7
Hit rucks with real ferocity, which was the bedrock of the tempo the Lions were able to play with. Partnered with a perfect lineout display, it was a solid display, though he should have caught an offload from Hansen to score in the corner. Left the field on the stretcher before half-time after an awkward tackle, which now casts his hopes of making the first Test into doubt.
3. Will Stuart – 6
Tadhg Furlong has been included in many predicted XVs to face the Wallabies recently, and that would have understandably peeved the Bath tighthead, but this wasn’t exactly a performance that would have screamed ‘select me’. 10 tackles were a good return in 50 minutes, but couldn’t gain any dominance in the scrum. But the level of scrummagers against him had improved.
4. James Ryan – 7
Put pressure on the AUNZ lineout and got through his work defensively as the Lions withheld everything, putting in the most tackles in the Lions pack (15).
5. Tadhg Beirne – 7.5
A needless penalty at the lineout aside, this was by far the captain’s most effectual performance so far in his hour on the field, having the most success at the breakdown he has had all tour.
6. Henry Pollock – 7
As muted as the Englishman has looked possibly in his fledgling career to date, not making the impact going forward we have become accustomed to. With that said, he still scored a late try and had the chance to score in the first half, but was held up and chipped and chased nicely down the wing. Slightly busier defensively, but was penalised for being offside. Certainly grew in prominence as the game developed, but had some errors in him as he tried to force it.
7. Jac Morgan – 7
Made an immediate impact with a knock-on-enforcing tackle within seconds. Had a fantastic battle with Wallaby Pete Samu – a great challenge for the openside ahead of the Test series. Almost anonymous in attack until late on, though he linked with the backs with a few passes, but most of his work was hitting rucks and tackling, though he was unceremoniously bounced by Lukhan Salakaia-Loto one time.
8. Ben Earl – 8.5
Does Earl fit the profile of a big No.8 like Jack Conan that Farrell is leaning towards? No, but that in no way means he isn’t a handful for any defence, making the most metres of any forward on the pitch by far despite only playing 60 minutes. May not have had the long-range runs he has enjoyed so far on tour, but is an ever-dependable carrier and provide’s a No.7’s instinct over the ball.
Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher – 8
Kept the lineout functioning (until right at the end) well after his early introduction to the game following Cowan-Dickie’s injury. A sharp turnover was a nice intervention in the Lions’ rucking effort and showed more quick thinking with his short lineout to Schoeman before crashing over in the corner.
17. Andrew Porter – N/A
Did not feature.
18. Finlay Bealham – 6
The first prop to buckle in the scrum, conceding a penalty soon after coming on.
19. Scott Cummings – 7.5
Barrelled through three tacklers to score within minutes of coming on the field – the latest impact the Scot has made in an ever-improving tour.
20. Josh van der Flier – 6
Not a cameo that had any standout moments with the game wrapped up, but his energy could be decisive in a close Test, getting his hands on the ball frequently.
21. Alex Mitchell – N/A
Only given five minutes at the end.
22. Marcus Smith – 6
Was handed a 30-minute run at fly-half at the end, but couldn’t put a noticeable stamp on the game. Not to say it was a bad run out, but lacking any ‘Marcus Smith moments’. Curiously, given the kicking duties over Owen Farrell, though that wasn’t a decision that paid off with two missed conversions.
23. Owen Farrell – 7
The former England captain is officially back for his fourth Lions tour, but, having not played since the start of May, this was more about finding his feet again, having only teamed up with the squad last week. Being the ultimate competitor and a seasoned international, he slipped in well playing at inside centre with some nice touches and stepped in at first receiver for van der Merwe’s hat-trick try.