Lions the Brave as Scottish wave takes over AUNZ, Adelaide in shutout win

Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:55 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Duhan van der Merwe scored a hat-trick as the British & Irish Lions rolled through AUNZ. Photo: Getty Images
Duhan van der Merwe scored a hat-trick as the British & Irish Lions rolled through AUNZ. Photo: Getty Images

The British & Irish Lions have rolled through AUNZ 48-0 at the Adelaide Oval.

In a game that celebrated the coming together of six nations, Scotland dominated, with their Lions contingent scoring the first six tries of the match.

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The star of the night was winger Duhan van der Merwe as he crossed for a hat-trick, while centre Huw Jones was superb.

Jones made a real chance for a call-up ahead of next week's first Test against the Wallabies, with Garry Ringrose in doubt.

For AUNZ, co-captain Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was the standout in a tough night for the team, playing as a combined force for the first time since 1989.

The Lions were out to spoil the party for the returning side from the start as a pair of smart plays from the visitors delivered them an early lead.

Fullback Hugo Keenan caught the hosts napping after a David Havili kick went out on the full, with sharp hands from a quartet of Lions ending with van der Merwe into space and racing away for the opener.

Scottish scrumhalf Ben White then capitalised on his maiden start after darting through a gaping hole close to the ruck for a 14-0 lead.

Van der Merwe had his second just before the 20-minute mark, with the winger in an acre of space as the Lions attack took shape.

Luke Cowan-Dickie almost had their fourth of the night, if not for a spectacular cover tackle from David Havili.

Comparatively, the AUNZ struggled to find their rhythm as they met a fierce Lions defence.

It left them going into the break down 17-0 as the visitors repelled a late charge.

The Lions started the second half like they started the first with centre Sione Tuipulotu cruising through a hole for an easy try.

Scott Cummings continued the Scottish onslaught to seal the win with 20 minutes to go as the lock powered over for the try.

Ronan Kellaher delivered the first non-Scottish try after a quick lineout left AUNZ all at sea following a yellow card to Shannon Frizell.

Henry Pollock sealed the win with four minutes to go after a loose ball back inside on their line allowed the English back-rower to touch down in a play that summed up the night for the hosts.

British & Irish Lions 48 (van der Merwe 3, White, Cummings, Tuipulotu, Kellaher, Pollock tries; F. Smith 2, M. Smith 2 cons) def AUNZ 0

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