Summary

  • Lions overcome physical First Nations & Pasifika XV to preserve winning run in Australia - match report

  • Darcy Graham off injured moments after debut try gave Lions 14-0 lead

  • First Nations punish Lions errors with two tries to tie 14-14 at half-time

  • Jamie Osborne's second try and Duhan van der Merwe score put Lions into 24-14 lead in second half

  • Rob Leota try brought home side within five points as tourists faced toughest test of tour so far

  • Lions will seek to win series against Australia in second Test on Saturday

Live Reporting

Alastair Telfer

  1. try

    Try - First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-24 Lions

    Josh van der Flier

    It was very messy and will be checked.

  2. Smith and Farrell in tandem

    First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-19 Lions

    Ugo Monye
    2009 British and Irish Lion at Marvel Stadium

    Twice now Farrell and Fin Smith have combined to create space in the wide channels for the outside backs.

    They have been interchangeable with Farrell going to 10 and Smith to 12 setting up another long range pass for Osborne to walk in a try.

    Owen Farrell of the British & Irish LionsGetty Images

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    In England's ongoing fly-half conundrum, the person whose stock has risen the most this summer isn't even in Australia...give George Ford the 10 shirt he deserves.

    Alex, London

  4. First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-19 Lions

    A forward pass is given this time against Jamie George. The coaching box are not happy. The Lions have made seven handling errors.

    Jamie George of the British & Irish LionsGetty Images

  5. First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-19 Lions

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent at Marvel Stadium

    Very neat Lions try but I was directly in line with the Kinghorn pass and am very surprised it hasn't been checked.

    Either way excellent skill from the Lions full-back to catch and throw a long pass almost in one movement.

  6. First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-19 Lions

    First Nations & Pasifika XV try and get an attack going but are pinged for holding on. A combined effort from Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier.

    The Lions are turning the screw.

  7. try

    Try - First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-19 Lions

    Jamie Osborne

    A second for Jamie Osborne. A stunning pass from Blair Kinghorn gives Osborne a simple finish.

    Two tries now on his Lions debut.

    Jamie Osborne of the British & Irish LionsGetty Images

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    RE Gary 11:39:

    Not ridiculous at all that Smith hasn't started 10. He can't manage a game and is lucky to even be on the tour. If Daly hadn't broken his arm, he'd be in the midweek XV and not near the test 23.

    Phil in Exeter

    I know I'm in the minority but I actually think Fin Smith has had more poor matches than good ones at international level, Marcus Smith is far more consistent at this level and should be getting game time at 10 in case anything happens to Russell.

    Jake

  9. First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Ben White nails a brilliant 50-22. Big chance now for the Lions.

  10. Pasifika physicality

    First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent at Marvel Stadium

    Lots of chatter in the press box at half-time about the physical onslaught from the First Nations and Pasifika side and how that is in contrast to the lack of fire we saw from the Wallabies in Brisbane.

    Salakaia-Loto and Uru missed out on the original Australia squad but are still there as options to Joe Schmidt. Either way Valetini and Skelton are set to come into the Wallabies 23. It should be a much more beefed up Australia this weekend at the MCG.

  11. First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Scott Cummings charges down a box kick and is not happy for being pinged. A potential replacement for Joe McCarthy?

    He has played his way into good form on this tour.

    Scott Cummings of the British & Irish LionsGetty Images

  12. Kick-off

    First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    The ball is sent into the sky and we are back under way.

  13. 'The unbeaten tour is very much on the line'

    HT: First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Nigel Ringland
    BBC Sport at Marvel Stadium

    The First Nations & Pasifika XV have certainly shown more passion and aggression than the Wallabies did last week in the Test match and the Lions have been rattled by the physicality from their opponents.

    Garry Ringrose, on as a replacement for the unlucky Darcy Graham, has looked good after recovering from concussion and is pushing himself back into Test consideration.

    Other than that, hard to see anyone else putting their hand up and with Joe McCarthy an injury doubt there may need to be a reshuffle in the pack and on the bench.

    Will there be a standout performance in the second half because the unbeaten tour is very much on the line.

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    I don't understand how the Wallabies think they can do without the power of Tupou and Salakaia-Loto. This could be the toughest game on tour.

    Jim, Bristol

  15. HT: First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Alex Cuthbert
    2013 British and Irish Lion at Marvel Stadium

    The level of physicality from the Pasifika grew as the half went on. It's a concern how many free-kicks and penalties are going against the Lions scrum.

  16. 'More entertaining and competitive than expected'

    HT: First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Ugo Monye
    2009 British and Irish Lion at Marvel Stadium

    There was only one side in it for the first 20 minutes and only one side in it for the second 20.

    We haven't had many competitive games on this tour but I'm glad we've got one tonight.

    It's definitely more entertaining and competitive than what I was expecting.

  17. In Pictures: Story of the first half

    HT: First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Jamie Osborne of British & Irish LionsGetty Images
    Darcy Graham of the British & Irish LionsGetty Images
    Owen FarrellGetty Images
    Darcy GrahamGetty Images
    First Nations & Pasifika XVGetty Images
    First Nations & Pasifika XV' Seru UruGetty Images
    Pollock ScuffleGetty Images

  18. Talking of scuffles....

    HT: First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    First Nations & Pasifika XV's Seru Uru (R) and British and Irish Lions' Henry Pollock scuffleGetty Images
    Owen FarrellPA Media

  19. 'It's what the local fans have been waiting for'

    HT: First Nations Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Lauren Jenkins
    BBC Sport at Marvel Stadium

    There's so much spice in this match. A few scuffles, ferocious tackling and the pressure and purpose from the First Nations Pasifika XV are forcing so many inaccuracies from the Lions.

    They're feeding off those mistakes and raising the roof here in Melbourne! It's what the local fans have been waiting for.

  20. Pasifika belief growing

    HT: First Nations & Pasifika XV 14-14 Lions

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent at Marvel Stadium

    When Darcy Graham scooted over it felt like it was going to be a cricket score, but the Lions' drop in intensity has coincided with the First Nations and Pasifika growing in belief and confidence and really exerting themselves physically.

    The hosts even had a chance right on the buzzer to go into half-time ahead.

    Yes the Lions' focus is on the second Test at the MCG, but those in action today have spoken about the importance of any Lions game and the value of keeping momentum and energy in the squad. Andy Farrell will be urging them to put those words into action in the second half.