"Nightmare for the Lions" - First Nations & Pasifika XV Player Ratings from Lions defeat

The First Nations & Pasifika XV crossed the whitewash with Triston Reilly, Seru Uru and Rob Leota pushed the Lions but the hosts' efforts just fell short.

The midweek Lions outfit looked clean cut straight from the first whistle with Duhan van der Merwe dotting down inside two minutes, but it was ultimately ruled out for a foot in touch by Scottish speedster Graham, who was clattered high by Triston Reilly in the same play which saw the first yellow card of the match shown to the FNP winger.

The Lions would make the most of their man advantage in the backfield with a clever launch play orchestrated by the Lions Veteran skipper of Owen Farrell whio nudged the ball deep into the FNP backfield. The chase was good and the bounce was better from a Lions' point of view, with Jamie Osborne the beneficiary, grabbing a try on debut.

Debut tries were the order of the day for the Lions, with Graham being rewarded for his earlier efforts with another clever use of their man advantage by the Lions. Fin Smith looping a succulent wide pass into Graham, who was left with acres of space to exploit to extend the touring side's lead.

Despite initially looking second best, the FNP stole their way back into the game with Triston Reilly picking off an ambitious pass in the Lions' twenty-two and strolled under the uprights to reduce the deficit to 7 points. The game swung right back into contention after a string of clumsy errors from the Lions walked the hosts back up the field and resulted in a powerful try from Uru, who thrusted the host side back level from short range.

A late scare for the Lions when an interception from FNP forced van der Merwe into a try-line recovery with the clock in the red closing out an action filled first fourty minutes.

A debut to remember would continue for Osborne with a second try just four minutes into the second half, with an easy stroll in for the Irishman topping off a carbon copy of Graham's try.

The Lions would then get van der Merwe over the line the second time of asking. The Scottish powerhouse was found out wide by Owen Farrell, following a nice ‘show-and-go’ dummy from the England and Saracens man.

First Nations & Pasifika ran the Lions close for a thrilling finale, as Rob Leota crossed over for a close-range try just eight minutes from full-time. It was a dramatic conclusion down in Melbourne, as the Lions were almost upset by a debuting side that could not be more proud of their first match.

Tries: Triston Reilly (17'), Seru Uru (22'), Rob Leota (70')

Conversions: Kurtley Beale (18',22',)

Penalties: 0

Yellow Cards: Triston Reilly (4')

Starting XV: 15. Andy Muirhead, 14.Filipo Daugunu 13. Lalakai Foketi 12. David Feliuai 11. Triston Reilly 10. Kurtley Beale 9. Kalani Thomas 1. Lington Ieli 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Darcy Swain 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6. Seru Uru 7. Charlie Gamble 8. Tuaina Taii-Tualima

Replacements: 16. Richie Asiata (45') 17. Marley Pearce (54') 18. Mesake Doge (46') 19. Mesake Vocevoce 20. Rob Leota (51') 21. Harrison Goddard (54') 22. Jack Debreczeni (10') 23. Jarrah McLeod (40')

Tries: Jamie Osborne (7', 44',), Darcy Graham (10'), Duhan van der Merwe (63')

Conversions: Fin Smith (8',11')

Penalties: 0

Yellow Cards: James Ryan (22')

Starting XV: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Jamie Osborne, 12. Owen Farrell, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Ben White, 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Jamie George, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. James Ryan, 5.Scott Cummings, 6. Jac Morgan, 7.Josh van der Flier, 8. Henry Pollock.

Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman (73'), 17.Rory Sutherland (73'), 18.Tom Clarkson (50'), 19.Gregor Brown (53'), 20.Ben Earl (50'), 21.Alex Mitchell, 22.Marcus Smith (66'), 23.Garry Ringrose (16')

Got stuck in for 55 minutes. Part of a dominating front row.

Set piece was largely right and got stuck in around the park.

Not quite vintage Thor, however took several scrum penalties and punched through with some of his bruising trademark carries.

part of a very industrious locking unit. Let himself down with a neck roll

like Swain, the 2nd row unit so important to the FNP fightback that they went the distance.

Very busy 50 minutes. Had some very entertaining niggle with Pollock. Great skill to dot down levelling the scores.

Super industrious and made the breakdown a nightmare for the BIL.

Some very effective carrying and made his tackles.

Young live wire has clearly been given the license to have a go and make errors and didn't die trying. Great strip on the tryline before making way.

How great it was to see the veteran Wallaby legend back. Pulled the strings very nicely and converted his kicks

Early yellow card led to a 7 pointer for the Lions. Made up for this with an intercept try of his own and some crunching hits from the kick chase.

Some big carries but failed to make much of an impact. Off at halftime.

Felt largely anonymous but led the defensive line and kept the units moving in tandem.

Only lasted 10 mins before departing for a failed HIA

One misjudged clearing kick aside was solid. Try saving tackle led to the Thomas strip.

Super Sub! Linked incredibly well with Beale after coming on at fullback. Utilised his huge boot to immense effect and pulled off a great intercept that nearly led to a lead-taking try on half time.

First taste of professional rugby.