Ex-All Black makes bold Lions call minutes into first Wallabies Test

Former All Blacks fly-half Lima Sopoaga only needed to watch the opening 15 minutes of the British & Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia to call a 3-0 series win for the visitors.

The Samoa stand-off, 34, made the call on X after seeing Andy Farrell’s side race to a 10-0 lead at the Suncorp Stadium following a penalty in the opening seconds of the match and a try to Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu.

Australia did proceed to fight back soon after the former Wasps fly-half’s comments with a try to Max Jorgensen, but that was a brief moment of positivity for Joe Schmidt’s side in what was otherwise a half dominated by the Lions.

A try to Tom Curry shortly before half time meant the visitors went in at the break with a 17-5 lead and in the driving seat to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Lions winning 3 zip

— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) July 19, 2025

Lions flanker Henry Pollock caused a stir in the build-up to the first Test by stating a 3-0 series lead was “on the table.”

“We want to come here and be the best Lions team ever. We’ve been talking about that loads and 3-0 is definitely on the table,” Pollock said.

“Whether you’re playing or not playing in the Tests, we’re all just trying to strive to be the best team we can and get that 3-0 win. If that’s playing or not playing, then I’ll adjust and be the best team-mate I can be.”

Hooker Dan Sheehan, who scored the Lions’ third try moments after the second half started, defended those comments soon after, saying: “I don’t think that’s anything too crazy. It’s a massive goal of ours to make sure we reach our potential.

“If we do reach our potential, we have the possibility to be one of the best teams. I think they’re fair comments.”