07/05/25 07:21:00
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07/05 07:19 CDT British and Irish Lions grind out a 21-10 win over Waratahs for
a third win in 8 days
British and Irish Lions grind out a 21-10 win over Waratahs for a third win in
8 days
SYDNEY (AP) --- The British and Irish Lions had their toughest win of the
Australian tour so far, holding off the New South Wales Waratahs 21-10 on
Saturday in their third game in eight days.
Big back-to-back wins over Western Force on Australia's west coast and
Queensland Reds on the east coast followed a similar patterns where the Lions
surged in the second half after arm-wrestles early with the local Super Rugby
teams.
It was a different rhythm in Sydney, with a third different captain for the
Lions and another re-arranged lineup with a view on the three-test tour.
Center Huw Jones scored close-range tries in the 12th and 35th minutes to give
the Lions a 14-0 lead, although the Waratahs had a try overturned by the
Television Match Official for a lineout obstruction in between.
The Waratahs scored from the second kick restart, sending the ball to the short
side where winger Darby Lancaster beat some forward defenders, was knocked off
balance by Hugo Keenan's attempted covering tackle before scrambling the last
five meters to score in the left corner. That made it 14-5 at halftime.
The Lions hadn't conceded a point in the second half of their opening two wins
but that run ended less than two minutes after the break, when Waratahs hooker
Ethan Dobbins crashed over after a driving maul from a lineout, with two backs
joining the maul.
Jack Bowen's conversion attempt hit the near upright, leaving the score at
14-10.
The Lions were denied an almost immediate try in response by some desperate
cover defense before scrumhalf Alex Mitchell scored in the 55th, darting to the
shortside from a ruck after sustained pressure from a scrum penalty and a
stream of Waratahs errors.
Finn Smith converted to make it 21-10 and it appeared the Lions were starting
to get on a roll again, particularly when Mitchell kicked a 50-22 to give the
Lions another ideal attacking opportunity.
He then threw the last pass for replacement prop Ellis Genge to drive over on
the hour, but the ball was lost in the tackle and the Waratahs held firm.
The Lions barged over again in the 76th but had a try disallowed for a lineout
obstruction in the buildup, and weren't able to cross again in a scrappy,
error-strewn encounter.
The Lions are now 3-0 since a 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warmup in Dublin
before the traveling to Australia for a nine-game tour, which includes three
tests against the Wallabies on July 19, 26 and Aug. 2.
The British and Irish squad will next play the Canberra-based Brumbies on
Wednesday.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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