AUNZ XV vs British & Irish Lions Predictions - B+I Lions to cover against AUNZ invitational side

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 11 Jul 2025

Simon Lewis 11 Jul 2025

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AUNZ XV has had less than a week for preparation.
British & Irish Lions have won their last 4 games.
Lions have scored 50+ points in 2 of their last 4 matches.

Expired

British & Irish Lions have won their last 4 matches. (Getty Images)

AUNZ XV vs British & Irish Lions Predictions

The invitational side has plenty of quality in their ranks but minimal preparation time. I expect this to be a high scoring encounter with the Lions to cover -12.5.

AUNZ XV vs British & Irish Lions Predictions
Head to Head
AUNZ XV Form
AUNZ XV Team News
AUNZ XV Squad
British & Irish Lions Form
British & Irish Lions Team News
British & Irish Lions Squad

AUNZ XV have had less than a week to prepare.
British & Irish Lions have won their last 4 matches.
British & Irish Lions have scored 50+ points in 2 of their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

These two sides met in 1989 on the only previous occasion. The Lions won by four points but given the time difference, it will have no bearing on the result on Saturday.

AUNZ XV Form

There is very little in terms of form that we can say with regards to the combined Australia and New Zealand side. It is very much an exhibition team that has had less than a week to be together.

That said, the side is laced with world class players, who could be playing for their national side. The question isn’t simply around the quality of the side, but rather about their preparation time.

Getting the finer aspects of the game, like scrum and lineout, takes time, and that is something the combined team hasn’t had. However, with the quality on show, they should compete with the Lions.

AUNZ XV Team News

New Zealander, David Havili captains the side after showing some great form for the Crusaders in Super Rugby. Another All Black, Shannon Fritzell and Hoskins Situtu pack down in the loose-trio alongside Aussie, Pete Samu.

AUNZ XV Squad

15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 AJ Lam, 13 Ngani Laumape, 12 David Havili (cc), 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (cc), 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Aidan Ross

Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 George Dyer, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Jock Campbell

British & Irish Lions Form

The British & Irish Lions will be pleased with their tour to date; however, more improvement is required before the first Test next weekend.

After suffering a defeat to Argentina in Dublin, the B+I Lions have seen off the four Australian franchises with relative ease. They put 50 past the Reds and Western Force in the first two games.

The Lions were poor against the Waratahs in a 21-12 victory. Last weekend, the Brumbies put up a good fight, something the Lions no doubt needed. The 36-24 victory for the tourists was a good test as to where they currently are.

British & Irish Lions Team News

A completely fresh team will feature in this game for the Lions as this is their final preparation game before the first test next Saturday. The big news is Owen Farrell on the bench.

British & Irish Lions Squad

15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Henry Pollock, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 James Ryan, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Pierre Schoeman

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Owen Farrell

Verdict

AUNZ XV v British & Irish Lions

The British & Irish Lions are backed to cover the -12.5 handicap with the match seeing over 61.5 points.

B+I Lions -12.5

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