Lions edge out First Nations and Pasifika XV in thrilling 24-19 battle

The British and Irish Lions continued their unbeaten run in Australia with a close 24-19 win over the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

Coached by former Moana Pasifika mentor Toutai Kefu and his successor, Tana Umaga, the inaugural First Nations and Pasifika XV team represented indigenous Australian, Sāmoan, Fijian, Tongan, Māori, and Cook Islands cultures, with 17 players of Pacific origin and six First Nations stars.

The match, held at Docklands Stadium, was intense and physical, as the Lions fought to maintain a narrow five-point lead in the final minutes.

Coach Andy Farrell rested many of his key players after their victory against the Wallabies on Saturday in Brisbane. Tuesday's match resulted in a less convincing performance at Marvel Stadium.

The Lions dominated the game early, but the First Nations and Pasifika XV equalised 14-14 at one point, driven by strong performances, notably from captain Kurtley Beale.

The First Nations and Pasifika had their fair share of moments, with captain and Australian veteran, thanks to strong performances from their captain, Kurtley Beale. They were aggressive and effective, especially in challenging the Lions at key moments of the match.

David Feliuai, left, swaps shirts with Owen Farrell. Photo/Facebook/rugby.com.au

For some Lions' players, the game was an opportunity to showcase their skills before the second test this weekend. But, it wasn't their strongest performance, so Farrell may not have too much trouble deciding on his lineup for Saturday's match.

First Nations and Pasifika XV star Charlie Gamble and man-of-the-match summed the night up. "It's been a pretty special week for our group, and you saw it out there. We were fighting hard for each other."

In a post-match interview on Stan Sport, Gamble reflected on a terrific contest. "The first 10 minutes of the second half let us down, but we didn't give up until the end. We connected this week, and you could see that in the way we were fighting for each other.

Watch Charlie Gamble's post-match interview below.

"It's pretty tough when you see people saying you are going to get smashed by 50 points or 100 points, but we showed we deserved to be out there."

The Waratahs' flanker was a constant threat to the Lions, making a major impact alongside other key players Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Rob Leota, who helped fill the gaps left by the Wallabies.

Owen Farrell, coach Andy's son, made his first start of the tour, stepping in for Elliot Daly, and combined well with Fin Smith, who started at flyhalf. But the Lions struggled at times, conceding penalties and allowing the First Nations and Pasifika XV to come back into the game.

Coach Farrell isn't expected to change his team much for Saturday's second test match at the MCG, especially since they had to cope without Wallabies' backrower Pete Samu, who was unavailable due to pre-tour eligibility set by the Lions.

The First Nations and Pasifika XV, briefly playing with 14 players, did not give in. They fought back well and scored their first try following a turnover when Triston Reilly was handed a yellow card for a tackle that made contact with Darcy Graham's head.

Watch First Nations and Pasifika XV coach Toutai Kefu's post-match interview below.

Reilly's indiscretion had stopped what appeared to be a certain try, but it did not take the Lions long to get on the scoreboard via Jamie Osborne's five-pointer in the seventh minute.

Fin Smith added the conversion, and he was again called up to the kicking tee three minutes later after Graham crossed the stripe for the Lions' second try.

Trailing 14-0, the First Nations and Pasifika XV did not bow their heads, and their efforts were rewarded in the 18th minute when Reilly - having only just returned to the field - scored his side's opening try.

The crowd of Lions found themselves just outside their 22. They fought back well and scored their first try after a turnover, when Reilly intercepted a pass and sprinted in to score.

The crowd of over 30,000 erupted when the First Nations. Charging his arm, Reilly sprinted out of the defensive line and picked off Kinghorn's pass to score under the posts, giving his captain Kurtley Beale the easiest of conversion attempts.

Photo/Facebook/rugby.com.au

The healthy crowd of 30,420 were again brought to their feet in the 22nd minute as the First Nations and Pasifika XV levelled the score at 14-14.

They capitalise on consecutive penalties to get away to the Lions' goal line, with back-rower Uru crashing over from a 'pick and go' play for a converted try.

The Lions found themselves in a tough situation when lock James Ryan received a yellow card in the lead-up to Uru's score.

They rallied and were close to scoring a third try before halftime, but lost possession during a driving maul.

Lions keep noses in front

The Lions regained some control in the second half, scoring two more tries, but they faced a strong comeback from the First Nations and Pasifika, who managed to score late in the game.

The Lions extended their lead when Osman scored again early in the second half, taking advantage of gaps in the First Nations and Pasifika defence.

Soon after, they had another try denied but continued to press forward. In the 63rd minute, winger Duhan van der Merwe scored a try for the Lions, extending their lead.

With a decent 10-point advantage, it looked like the Lions were set to win as the game approached its final moments.

First Nations and Pasifika XV's No.8, Tuaina Taii Tualima, left, and his opposite number Henry Pollock of the British anbd Irish Lions swapped jerseys after the game. Photo/Facebook/rugby.com.au

But the First Nations and Pasifika XV team made a strong push down the field and closed the gap when substitute Rob Leota, who grew up in Melbourne, cut back the Lions' lead. Melbourne-raised replacement Rob Leota scored his side's third try in the 70th minute.

Time became the enemy of the First Nations and Pasifika XV, however, and the Lions were able to hold on to clinch the win. A shame for it to end that way, the commentators say, but it's still been the best game of the Lions' tour so far.

The Lions held on for the victory, as coach Farrell is not expected to make significant changes to his lineup for the second Test at the MCG this weekend.

FIRST NATIONS PASIFIKA XV TEAM

*(Name, cultural heritage, mob/village/tribe):

1. Lington Ieli (Fiji, Uma & Tabiang, Rabi)

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Sāmoa & Māori, Ngāti Porou, Te Rarawa, Fasito'outa

3. Taniela Tupou (Tonga, Vaini)

4. Darcy Swain (Sāmoa, Falelatai)

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Sāmoa, Faleula, Lepea, Faleapuna)

6. Seru Uru (Fiji, Namoli)

7. Charlie Gamble (Tonga, Neiafu, Vava'u)

8. Tuaina Taii Tualima (Sāmoa, Lauli'i, Falealupo)

9. Kalani Thomas (Māori, Ngāpuhi)

10. Kurtley Beale (C) (First Nations, Darug)

11. Filipo Daugunu (Fiji, Lakeba, Saqani)

12. David Feliuai (Sāmoa, Pu'apu'a, Samalae'ulu)

13. Lalakai Foketi (Māori & Tonga, Longomapu, Vava'u, Tainui, Maniapoto)

14. Triston Reilly (First Nations, Dunghutti, Wiradjuri)

15. Andy Muirhead (First Nations, Barunggam)

Replacements:

16. Richie Asiata (Sāmoa, Fasito'o, Satupa'itea, Saleimoa)

17. Marley Pearce (Māori & First Nations, Wardandi Noongar, Tainui)

18. Mesake Doge (Fiji, Daku, Nadogo, Mocuta)

19. Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji, Narewa, Nadi)

20. Rob Leota (Sāmoa, Avau, Samatau)

21. Harrison Goddard (First Nations, Darug, Murawari)

22. Jack Debreczeni (Cook Islands, Takitimu Titikaveka)

23, Jarrah McLeod (First Nations, Yuin)