The British and Irish Lions have survived an almighty fright after being pushed until the death by the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

In what proved to be the most competitive and closest margin on the tour, Toutai Kefu’s thrown together side took it to the Lions at every turn and almost made history as Andy Farrell’s Lions held on 24-19 under the roof at Marvel Stadium.

In the end, the match ended bizarrely as uncapped Brumbies centre Jarrah McLeod, who had previously been brilliant in what was the biggest game of his burgeoning career, took a leaf out of Matt Dunning’s playbook and kicked downfield. The issue was his side was down on the scoreboard with time up.

Unsurprisingly, the Lions kicked the ball out at once to ensure they kept their unbeaten tour alive.

“It wasn’t our best performance but massive credit to the First Nations and Pasifika boys,” said Lions skipper Owen Farrell.

“I thought they came after us tonight. They got off the line really well and caused us some trouble.

“We started the game really well but didn’t manage to get a foothold throughout the game.

“It was a tough 60 minutes, to be honest. That last half of the first half was difficult as well. I thought they made a mess of our breakdown at times, they got off the line really well and they caused some errors in what they did, but I’m thankful we got there in the end.”

Tempers flare between British and Irish Lions’ Owen Farrell and First Nations and Pasifika XV’s Charlie Gamble (left) at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)

Despite going down by five points, the First Nations and Pasifika showed that they should become a staple in the annual rugby calendar.

At the same time, several of Kefu’s side delivered a message to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt after being left out of the Test series to date.

After the Wallabies were outmuscled in Brisbane, the First Nations and Pasifika side beat the Lions at the scrum, dominated the lineout in the second half and imposed themselves on both sides of the ball.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto took another step forward, with the dropped lock delivering on his pre-match commitment of wanting to earn a “fourth” opportunity to take on the Lions. His second-row partner Darcy Swain once again showed his ability to run a lineout too.

Taniela Tupou rediscovered his mojo at the scrum in what could be his final match on Australian shores before heading to Paris, while Seru Uru – the versatile Reds forward, who was in great form before a late injury in Super Rugby – scored and was a pest around the field.

Weeks after starring for the Waratahs, uncapped flanker Charlie Gamble was a nuisance at the breakdown and in the tackle area and was awarded player of the match.

“I’m really proud of the boys,” said the Wallabies’ most-capped Indigenous player Kurtley Beale, who led the side and wore the No.10 jersey.

“It was a really special week to get to connect and come out and represent our families and our cultures.”

It wasn’t all good news though as Wallabies back Filipo Daugunu, who was released from camp to play in the match, suffered an early concussion.

First Nations winger Triston Reilly on his way to the tryline against the Lions on July 22, 2025. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

But it wasn’t just the Test contenders that made a statement, with Lington Leli – the rising Brumbies loose-head prop – enjoying his time under the bright lights, David Feliaui showing plenty of physicality while the side’s back three, including Triston Reilly, each had their moments.

Nor did the Lions get any reprieve from the bench as Richie Asiata – one of the best performing hookers in Australia this year – packed a punch when he replaced Brandon Paenga-Amosa. Jack Debreczeni’s cannon-like boot also helped the home side clear their line on several occasions.

Kefu, the famous Wallabies back-rower who helped beat the Lions in 2001, said he was satisfied by his side’s effort and hoped the team would continue to play well into the future.

“It was pretty exciting,” Kefu said. “You could tell in the last 20 minutes the boys were getting pretty fatigued. That last 20 they put in was all heart. They gave everything.

“I think for the Indigenous boys especially, it’s another pathway for them. For the Polynesians, there’s a whole host of pathways, so this is great for the Indigenous players. I thought that young fella Jarrah McLeod who came on, watch out for him.”

Early on it looked like it would be one-way traffic as the Lions flew out of the blocks after Reilly was shown a yellow card for collecting Darcy Graham high after the Scottish winger stepped back on the inside near the home side’s tryline.

Shortly after, Irish centre Jamie Osborne pounced on a clever chip kick to score the opening points.

Graham then got himself onto the scoresheet as he scored to open up a 14-0 lead.

But the game shifted midway through the first half as Reilly pounced on a Blair Kinghorn ball and scored.