The British & Irish Lions struggled against the Waratahs, needing a 54th-minute try from Alex Mitchell to avoid embarrassment. Notable positives included tries from Huw Jones and a strong performance by Ben Earl. The match exposed issues like fumbled balls and handling errors, impacted by dew on the pitch. Disruptions in the team, including Henry Pollock's injury prior to kick-off, further complicated the Lions' preparations for the upcoming Test series against Australia. The match's intensity reminded the Lions that the competition will be fierce as they approach the Test series.
In the end it took a 54th-minute try by the scrum-half Alex Mitchell to save his side's blushes in an encounter that will sit uneasily with the management at this delicate stage of the trip.
Two first-half tries from the alert Huw Jones and a typically energetic display from Ben Earl in the back row were among a rather short list of positives.
Few had been expecting much, given the last team from New South Wales to beat the Lions did so in 1959, but the Waratahs did an excellent job of dragging their guests down to earth.
Frustratingly for the Lions, too, there had been significant disruption to their hopeful advance plans.
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