{"id":274656,"date":"2025-07-19T12:04:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T12:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/274656\/"},"modified":"2025-07-19T12:04:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T12:04:10","slug":"ex-all-black-makes-bold-lions-call-minutes-into-first-wallabies-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/274656\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-All Black makes bold Lions call minutes into first Wallabies Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Former All Blacks<\/a> fly-half Lima Sopoaga<\/a> only needed to watch the opening 15 minutes of the British & Irish Lions\u2019 first Test against Australia<\/a> to call a 3-0 series win for the visitors.<\/p>\n

The Samoa<\/a> stand-off, 34, made the call on X after seeing Andy Farrell\u2019s 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<\/a> centre Sione Tuipulotu.<\/p>\n

Australia did proceed to fight back soon after the former Wasps<\/a> fly-half\u2019s comments with a try to Max Jorgensen<\/a>, but that was a brief moment of positivity for Joe Schmidt\u2019s side in what was otherwise a half dominated by the Lions.<\/p>\n

A try to Tom Curry<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\n

Lions winning 3 zip<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) July 19, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Lions flanker Henry Pollock<\/a> caused a stir in the build-up to the first Test<\/a> by stating a 3-0 series lead was \u201con the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to come here and be the best Lions<\/a> team ever. We\u2019ve been talking about that loads and 3-0 is definitely on the table,\u201d Pollock said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether you\u2019re playing or not playing in the Tests, we\u2019re all just trying to strive to be the best team we can and get that 3-0 win. If that\u2019s playing or not playing, then I\u2019ll adjust and be the best team-mate I can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hooker Dan Sheehan<\/a>, who scored the Lions\u2019 third try moments after the second half started, defended those comments soon after, saying:<\/a> \u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s anything too crazy. It\u2019s a massive goal of ours to make sure we reach our potential.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we do reach our potential, we have the possibility to be one of the best teams. I think they\u2019re fair comments.\u201d<\/p>\n