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Second Half!<\/p>\n
The Lions receive the restart as the second forty commences.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Andrew Sparrow emails<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cNo names, no packdrill, but there\u2019s a few playing themselves firmly into the \u2018midweek only\u2019 ranks here. Good to see the Tahs with a bit of mongrel in them – hope they can keep it up beyond the hour.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s not great, I have to agree.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half Time! Waratahs 5 – 14 Lions<\/p>\n 40 mins.<\/strong> Lots of passes from the Lions, lots of them leading to a very lateral attack which broadly goes nowhere. The ball spills and the half is over.<\/p>\n Elsewhere \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.52 EDT<\/p>\n 39 mins.<\/strong> A massive kick from Kinghorn pins the Waratahs into their 22 and the Lions will have the last attack of the half as a chance to extend their lead<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 36 mins.<\/strong> There was a long TMO chat before that was awarded as it appeared Lee-Warner clattered Hansen\u2019s noggin with an illegal clearout at the run prior to Tupou working his big man magic.<\/p>\n The ref had a look but disagreed, reasoning that Hansen was low to the ground and the Waratah lock was wrapping his arms. The former is true, the latter is not. He got away with that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Waratahs 5 – 14 Lions (Darby Lancaster)<\/p>\n 35 mins<\/strong>. Tupou picks from the ruck and pops a delightful pass to Leotai to feed Lancaster who bumps Keenan to gallop up the left touchline. He lost his footing a but managed to crawl-run (crun?) far enough to reach out and ground the ball.<\/p>\n Conversion is missed from out wide.<\/p>\n Darby Lancaster of the Waratahs celebrates his try. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.59 EDT<\/p>\n TRY! Waratahs 0 – 14 Lions (Huw Jones)<\/p>\n 32 mins.<\/strong> The handling issues for the Waratahs crop up again and the Lions waste no time with the possession it gives them. Earl carries up to the line and Mitchell throws from the base of the ruck to Jones who deftly steps away from his tackler and then drives hard to the line to ground the ball one handed.<\/p>\n Fin Smith converts.<\/p>\n Huw Jones goes through the Waratah’s defence to score his second try. Photograph: David Rogers\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.45 EDT<\/p>\n 29 mins.<\/strong> A simple short lineout from the Waratahs inches forward a few feet before Gamble breaks off and charges to the left corner and over the line to score! The stadium erupts but it shortly changes to a chuntering grumble as the TMO intervenes to point out that Lee-Warner has obstructed the Lions defenders in the setup of the maul at the lineout.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the right call, but the theme of the home side getting at the Lions to easily in possession continues. If they could just stopped dropping the ball they could be causing quite a bit of bother to the tourist.<\/p>\n Charlie Gamble charges through to score before the TMO intervenes. Photograph: Cameron Spencer\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.41 EDT<\/p>\n 28 mins.<\/strong> More phases for the home side close to the Lions line and as the carries some hard and regular Cowan-Dickie charges offside as the defending becomes increasingly desperate. The penalty is tapped and three phases later another infringement, this time from Ryan, has Ref Paul Williams warning Tadhg Beirne that another one in this area will be card.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 25 mins.<\/strong> A lineout is won by the Waratahs on the Lions 22 after the visitors are penalised for not releasing in the tackle. There\u2019s a good carry from Gamble and discipline fails the Lions once more, this time Earl off his feet at the breakdown.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMorning Lee. Another chance for Lions to test combinations and get new players into the fold.\u201d suggests Guy Hornsby, \u201cAnd another scrappy opening, which seems to be the vibe of this tour as the Australian sides exert the most pressure in the first 20 and Lions search for cohesion.<\/p>\n \u201cCrucial for Kinghorn and Keenan to get into the groove this next week, as 15 is very much up for grabs. It\u2019ll certainly be calmer than 2001, not that it could be less so! I was in Australia that glorious summer, and snagged a ticket to the Gabba. A day for the ages, if hazy in recollection 24 years later.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 23 mins.<\/strong> Waratahs work the ball clear from a scrum they finally manage to hold up, but the clearance kick is a poor one and the Lions have a lineout on the 22.<\/p>\n Drinks break is taken.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 20 mins<\/strong>. Numerous phases in the five metre area from the Lions batter the Waratahs line as the home side aggressively repel the attacks. There are repeated short carries, probably a few too many, as the Lions lose shape and momentum and there\u2019s another knock-on due to forcing it. Fin Smith should have done more there to call the ball to himself and get the backs to form up into something more organised.<\/p>\n Fin Smith is tackled by Charlie Gamble and Ethan Dobbins of the Waratahs. Photograph: Dean Lewins\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.32 EDT<\/p>\n 17 mins.<\/strong> Another strong run from Earl, who is clearly benefitting from a gameplan to get him on the ball in the open more, get the Lions going forward again. There\u2019s more imprecision in handling, but this is mattering less for the Lions as their scrum is now regularly marmalising the Waratahs pack to win back possession via penalties.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 14 mins.<\/strong> The perennial issue for the Lions of not securing restarts raises its head again, with a lazy defender penalised for obstructing the Waratahs\u2019 chasers. The home side work a short lineout and drive up to the line before spilling the ball under pressure from the red defence which allows Mitchell to clear it upfield with his boot.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Waratahs 0 – 7 Lions (Huw Jones)<\/p>\n 11 mins.<\/strong> Earl drives forward but is stopped by the scrambling blue defence who strike for he ball but knock it on. The scrum gives a penalty to the Lions and from the resulting lineout it\u2019s a very simple catch-drive-release drill to find Tuipulotu who drives to the defensive line and feeds Jones to score.<\/p>\n Huw Jones touches down. Photograph: Robbie Stephenson\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.17 EDT<\/p>\n 9 mins.<\/strong> There is some phased possession from the home side, with the passes busy enough, but their territory is repeatedly driven backwards by a Lions defence that finally appears to be co-ordinated in their press forward. There\u2019s an inevitable turnover under pressure and the Lions fire the ball rightwards through hands to Earl out on the wing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 6 mins.<\/strong> We\u2019ve had a scrum, from which not much happened other than some more handling errors that lead us to another scrum, this one for the Waratahs just inside their own half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hannah Sumby has a query: \u201cVan der Merwe covering forwards position from the bench seems a bit odd?\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a 5-3 bench now, so he\u2019s not covering forwards. It appears he was just chucked Cummings\u2019s shirt to put on as the changes were so late.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.08 EDT<\/p>\n 3 mins<\/strong>. The first period of possession is for the Lions after they win a lineout on halfway. Lots of busy recycling and short passing look to be building some momentum before the ball goes to the deck and Walton is first to it to race 30 metres into the Lions half. He offloads to Lancaster, but a brilliant cover tackle from Cummings drops him and dislodges the ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kick-Off!<\/p>\n Fin Smith clips the ball up and away into the smoky sky to get us underway<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There\u2019s a decent crowd in and they ramp up the volume as the obligatory pre kick-off dimming of the lights signals the start of the pumping music and pitch-side flame throwers. The teams and the match are imminent.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In rugby news from the lower reaches of the international tiers, Hong Kong have beaten South Korea 70-22 in Incheon to win the Asia Rugby Championship and qualify for the World Cup for the first time. The Hong Kong side has got to the last stage of qualifying for the last two World Cups only to fall short but will now take their place at the expanded 24-team showpiece tournament in Australia in 2027. What a moment for the nation.<\/p>\n On a related but clearly irrelevant note, I was made in Hong Kong. True story.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n On the late Pollock injury Andy Farrell, speaking to Sky Sports:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cYes, he\u2019s got a slight problem with his calf – nothing too serious. Knowing what we know, we thought it wasn\u2019t right to risk him so we reshuffle.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Have a read while you wait<\/strong><\/p>\n He might not be playing for the Waratahs today, but Joseph Suaalii is likely to play for the Wallabies. Read more about it here<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.24 EDT<\/p>\n Your views are always welcome and today is no exception so send them to me on the Email<\/a>. I may even tolerate Owen Faz chat, but don\u2019t bank on it.<\/p>\n Its Owen Farrell, and Maro Itoje, at the Allianz Stadium. Photograph: Robbie Stephenson\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.57 EDT<\/p>\n Teams<\/p>\n Rotation once more as the fixtures pile up quickly for Andy Farrell and the Lions, made more tricky by Henry Pollock withdrawing with a tight calf late on. Apparently it\u2019s \u2018precautionary\u2019. Tadhg Beirne will have the honour of captaining from six, Scott Cummings now starts in the second row and Duhan van der Merwe comes onto the bench. Hugo Keenan has his first start of the tour at fullback along with Blair Kinghorn on the wing, while Fin Smith returns at stand-off.<\/p>\n The Waratahs have a few internationals in their lineup in Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway, Rob Leota, Lalakai Foketi, and Darby Lancaster. Number 8, Hugh Sinclair, is awarded the captaincy in this his last ever game of professional rugby so expect some emotional scenes.<\/p>\n British & Irish Lions<\/strong>: Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Ben White, Marcus Smith, Duhan van der Merwe.<\/p>\n NSW Waratahs<\/strong>: Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Jack Barrett, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Henry O\u2019Donnell<\/p>\n
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Blair Kinghorn, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Scott Cummings, 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Ben Earl.<\/p>\n
15 Lawson Creighton, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Darby Lancaster, 10 Jack Bowen, 9 Teddy Wilson; 1 Tom Lambert, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Miles Amatosero, 6 Rob Leota, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Hugh Sinclair (captain).<\/p>\n