Dangerous Duhan hat-trick sets up B&I Lions whitewash
MATCH REPORT: The British and Irish Lions warmed up for their opening match of the their three-Test series against the Wallabies with a 48-0 whitewash of a combined Australia and New Zealand selection in Adelaide on Saturday.
South African-born wing Duhan van der Merwe put his hand up for Test selection with three of the B&I Lions’ eight tries.
The tourists held a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter against the scratch team from the Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand and Australia.
The AUNZ collection held firm for the next 20 minutes, but a fourth B&I Lions try early in the second half effectively ended the game as a contest.
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Owen Farrell made his tour debut from the bench, as the tourists scored their fifth consecutive win to ensure an unblemished record heading into the first Test against the Wallabies next weekend in Brisbane.
Up 17-0 at half-time, the Lions controlled the contest, swift at the breakdown and with plenty of attacking flair in their most cohesive and accurate performance of the tour so far.
The victory was soured by an injury to hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who was stretchered off after what appeared to be a nasty knee to the head, although he recovered enough to return to the bench later.
Farrell, a veteran of three previous Lions tours, came on 10 minutes into the second half to a mixed reaction after being controversially called up to replace Elliot Daly, who broke his arm against the Reds.
It was his first game in two months after a challenging season with French side Racing 92, but the former England captain quickly blew away any cobwebs playing at inside centre.
By the time he arrived the damage had been done, with tries from Van der Merwe, Ben White, and Sione Tuipulotu overwhelming the ragtag invitational team under the guidance of incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss.
It was the first time powerhouses Australia and New Zealand had joined forces since 1989, but they barely had a week’s preparation.
Their weaknesses were exploited by a B&I Lions side knowing it was their last chance to impress before coach Andy Farrell picks his matchday 23 for Brisbane.
Ireland’s Hugo Keenan put up his hand to be Test fullback with an accomplished effort in place of main rival Blair Kinghorn who is nursing an injured knee.
Similarly, Jac Morgan excelled at openside flank as did Henry Pollock at blindside as the fight for back row spots heats up.
Scottish duo Tuipulotu and Huw Jones were slick again in their battle with Irish pair Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose to be starting centres.
The Lions showed plenty of early intent and caught the hosts napping when Keenan cleverly took a quick line-out and Van der Merwe powered over in the corner.
A second try, this one converted, came minutes later when a gap was opened by the ruck and scrumhalf White hit the accelerator to dart through under the posts.
It was the type of start the Lions have been striving for all tour and they surged 17-0 clear after 20 minutes when Van der Merwe grabbed his second, finishing a flowing move that split the defence.
The home side needed to begin the second half well, but were rocked by a Lions try in the opening minutes when Tuipulotu hit the line to perfection after a tap and go from White.
With a 24-0 lead, it was all over bar Farrell’s cameo and there were further tries from lock Scott Cummings, Van der Merwe, hooker Ronan Kelleher and Pollock.
The scorers
For AUNZ Invitational XV
None
For the British and Irish Lions
Tries: Van der Merwe 3, White, Tuipulotu, Cummings, Kelleher, Pollock
Cons: F Smith 2, M Smith 2
Yellow cards: Shannon Frizell (AUNZ XV, 68 – repeated infringement, illegally collapsing a maul), Joshua Fusitu’a 79 – foul play, dangerous clean-out
Teams
AUNZ Invitational XV: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 AJ Lam, 13 Ngani Laumape, 12 David Havili (co-captain), 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (co-captain), 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 George Dyer, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry Mclaughlin-Phillips, 23 .Jock Campbell
British & Irish Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Henry Pollock, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Owen Farrell.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
