British Irish Lions Extend Winning Streak in Australia, Edge First Nations Pasifika XV

The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia has seen the Lions maintain an unbeaten streak with a nervy 24-19 victory over a First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne, despite fielding a largely second-string side. Led by Owen Farrell, the Lions started strong but faced fierce resistance from the home side, with the match remaining close until the final minutes. Earlier in the series, the Lions secured a 27-19 win in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane, featuring standout performances from players like Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, and Tadhg Beirne, who was named player of the match. The Lions showed early dominance and structured play but had to withstand a late Australian rally. The tour has balanced youth and experience, with coach Andy Farrell using midweek games to evaluate squad depth ahead of upcoming Tests. Meanwhile, Australia under Joe Schmidt has shown renewed intensity and promise but remains under pressure to reclaim credibility on home soil.