The First Nations & Pasifika XV shocked rugby juggernaut the British and Irish Lions with the toughest 80 minutes of their Australian tour to just fall short 24-19 in Naarm on Tuesday evening.
With the lineup representing Indigenous Australian, Māori, Fijian, Samoan, Tongan and Cook Islands cultures, the invitational outfit staged two comebacks to pile pressure on the visitors in what came close to being an historic upset.
After giving up two early tries within the opening minutes, the First Nations and Pasifika XV rallied to tie things at 14-all at the main break - the first time the Lions hadn't led heading into the sheds across their seven matches played on the tour to date.
They took on the Lions, made up of the best of four international sides, with less than a week together in camp and as a new initiative created out of the gap left in the schedule by the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels.
The five-point full time margin is also the tightest contest they've been delivered with two Tests against the Wallabies remaining.
A late regather of possession almost gifted the home XV the lead at the change, without being able to capitalise.
Tensions went close to boiling over on occasions through the first 40 minutes of the spirited fixture.
The Lions first two tries came with the First Nations and Pasifika side a man down after Dunghutti and Wiradjuri winger Triston Reilly was binned for high contact in a try-saving effort minutes into play.
Reilly responded on his return, reeling in a one-armed intercept to run over from a rare piece of field advantage mid-way through the first half.
PICKED OFF! 😲
ðŸ' Triston Reilly read that perfectly! #LionsRugbypic.twitter.com/v0NpUCTeNR
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 22, 2025
The debut XV had their second in quick succession.
After earning a scrum at halfway off the resulting kick off, a free kick helped put them inside the 22 before Seru Uru got over the line to score a few phases into the attack.
Veteran skipper Kurtley Beale slotted both conversions to square the ledger.
"You can see how much heart the boys played with tonight. There's so much talent here. I think it's a great platform for all the young Pasifika and First Nations kids out there watching tonight. Hopefully they can look at this jersey as something to aspire to in the future," Beale told the coverage post-match.
The 36-year-old previously played against the Lions during their 2013 tour.
11 test-capped players, including nine Wallabies, featured in the team.
Also in the group was 21-year-old emerging talent Jarrah McLeod.
The Yuin centre, who is yet to debut in the first team at the Brumbies, came on after the break with a huge impact against a world-class defence.
McLeod, who's played in the ACT's premier local grade across the current winter, was limited to gritty runs early before playing a hand in attacking threats as late attempts at a shock upset were mounted.
He drove towards striking distance reading a long line out throw helping Rob Leota cut the margin back to five points at the 70 minute mark from the resulting phases.
Beale missed with tee after the Lions had similarly failed to convert their two tries earlier in the second half.
Barunggam fullback Andy Muirhead played general down back for the First Nations and Pasifika XV, kicking for advantage well with his team winning the line-out contest, and saving them from conceding further with a try-saving tackle under the posts.
A wayward pass into touch over Muirhead took away a chance to attack wide down the left side within the 22 with minutes left on the clock.
Darug and Murawari half Harrison Goddard and Wardandi Noongar and Maori prop Marley Pearce had also contributed through the match.
McLeod staged a final shot at stealing the win after the 80 minute buzzer kicking for territory with the Lions defence scrambling, but couldn't force the result.
Neiafu and Vava'u Tongan man and Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble was named player of the match.
"It's obviously been pretty special week for our group. You could see it out there. We were fighting hard for each other," Gamble said post-match.
"Down a couple tries early, but you saw the fight that we had, came back and probably switched off that first 10 minutes in the second half. It probably let us down.
"But we didn't give up until the end. It's been awesome being part of this, and hopefully this team just keeps going in the future."
The team came into the contest rank outsiders, and following a heavy 48-nil defeat for similarly combined side the AUNZ Invitational XV.
"Not many people gave us the chance… but we showed that we deserve to be out there, and we played very hard for each other," Gamble said.
On his fourth Lions tour, and playing as captain for the first time, English half Owen Farrell commended the First Nations and Pasifika outfit for their performance.
"I thought they made a mess of our breakdown at times, they got off their line really well, they caused some errors in what we did. But I'm thankful we got the job done in the end," Farrell said post-match.
The First Nations and Pasifika XV had also claimed huge scrum wins against the proven Lions pack, and forced a number of errors in desperate defence on their own try line with the match in the balance.
Speaking to National Indigenous Times earlier this week, former Wallaby and First Nations and Pasifika XV assistant coach Glen Ella said a good showing could make the side a more regular presence on the international calendar.
"It's up to us now to see if it's going to be here in 12 years. The Lions, they don't want to muck around. If we put in a really good fight, that'll be something for kids to aspire to in the 12 years," Ella said.
"So that's what we've really got to do…Win, lose or draw, as long as we play really well and show Aboriginal kids that there's another sport out there they can play."
The Lions have a further two Tests with the Wallabies remaining on their tour, the next at the MCG on Saturday,
