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British & Irish Lions 2025

Stadium PA takes multiple digs at the British & Irish Lions in Perth

By Ian Cameron

1 day ago

Perth , Australia - 28 June 2025; Referee Marc Lynch speaks to British & Irish Lions captain Dan Sheehan during the tour match between Western Force and the British & Irish Lions at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. (Photo By Steve Christo/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The British & Irish Lions may have secured a 54–7 win over the Western Force in Perth, but not before being on the receiving end of some tongue-in-cheek digs from the Optus Stadium announcer.

During pre-match team announcements, the voice over the PA system gleefully claimed several Lions as honorary locals – whether they liked it or not – Nine Wide World of Sports report.

“Our former Aussie at No. 14, Mack Hansen,” the announcer boomed, to raucous laughter from the home crowd. He didn’t stop there.

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“Another Aussie at No. 12, Sione Tuipulotu… At 11, the Kiwi now Irishman, James Lowe… and at prop, the former South African schoolboy, now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman.”

The warm-up trolling came just hours after Lions assistant Richard Wigglesworth had brushed off remarks about the squad’s southern hemisphere flavour – but clearly no such topic was off-limits in Perth.

Reacting after the match Tuipulotu said: “I knew there would be some good humour coming back home to Australia. These are all things that we’ve got to take in our stride. To not announce the elephant in the room, I am from Australia. I was born here. I don’t know how funny that gag is to everyone.

“I’m loving my rugby playing for the Lions and I’m really passionate about it. Andy’s brought that group together so well and to play under a coach like him I can see why Ireland have been so successful in the past.”

It added a light-hearted start to a match the Lions ultimately dominated. Newly minted skipper Dan Sheehan crossed inside five minutes, with James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Garry Ringrose all joining the party as the Lions racked up eight tries.

Tomos Williams bagged two before limping off injured, while Henry Pollock stayed busy — setting one up, scoring another and provoking a melee.

Mack Hansen, Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly kept the scoreboard ticking, Alex Mitchell finished things off.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Blackmania 13 minutes ago

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson reveals who the fastest player in New Zealand is

It's good to hear that Leroy Carter is on Razor's radar. He could have been part of this first squad — maybe he’ll make it into the Rugby Championship if the current wingers don’t perform well enough.

2 Go to comments

Blackmania 19 minutes ago

Former All Blacks name their starting XV's for first Test against France

Tamaiti Williams won’t be there. Sidelined with a meniscus injury, he’ll be out for about two months.

De Groot / Taylor / Lomax

S. Barrett / Vaa’i

No surprises there.

In the back row, who will start — Lio-Willie or Kirifi?

I’m ruling out Jacobson, who’s recovering after a head knock.

At 10, I’m leaning more towards DMK than Beauden to partner Roigard.

That leaves the trickiest selection... centres and wings.

Will Jordie be thrown in straight away? Will Rieko, who we’ve seen training on the wing, wear the number 11 shirt? And will Proctor start the international season at 13? Probably yes to all three questions.

2 Go to comments

SteveD 1 hour ago

Springboks player ratings vs Barbarians | Qatar Airways Cup

But you guys still continue to miss my main point. He's radically changed his style! I identified his problem a long time ago, and that was his long and angular runup (along with the silly Jonny Wilkinson arm movements plus taking way too long). With his short and quick run up he's removed all that nonsense and I fully expect him to be the ace (sorry) kicker we all want him to be. And maybe even Wonderboy, who seems to have a problem from what should be the easier side of the field for a right-footed kicker, might not miss so many (two in one game on Saturday) like he did.

27 Go to comments

GH 1 hour ago

'It's disrespectful': Former All Blacks shocked by France's travelling squad

Marshall’s and Wilson’s comments have some values on the national audience but they completely fail with the international one. This kind of comments would be useful outside new zealand, adressed to the french national league that organizes the top 14 (14 teams, come on, really !?!) and says who can or can’t go to exotic summer camps. any major top 14 player plays half more games than any equivalent major all black, so the league stops adding more and it is for the exclusive benefit of clubs. No southern team will ever ever ever receive a full national french team in june. or july. or august. Even less in late july or august when the clubs start again their training.

This has been explained over and over, year after year, with south-african readers, australians, new-zealanders, argentinians so why is this trolls’ bait article published once again now?

6 Go to comments

frandinand 1 hour ago

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

I did suggest you see a therapist because you're quite obviously suffering mental health issues.

This incoherent comment just illustrates the issues you are suffering from.

159 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

Why take your head out of the sand to ruin rugby in NZ?

Do you realise most nations have the same selection policies?

159 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

Well the Rugby championship isn’t slanted in anyone’s favor. What’s the record there?

159 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

Haha you got triggered bad. “IN YOUR HEAD" EH! Just let it go fraudulant Jacko! It will just continue to trigger your episodes. Even NB would advise you to let it go and we know you worship his feet. Maybe put a different poster on your wall. Your “friend” is over the Mounga photo you have up above your bed.

159 Go to comments

GP 2 hours ago

George Bower joins All Blacks squad as star prop requires surgery

Real shame about Tamaiti Williams . He has been one of the AB’s best in recent year and had a tremendous season for the Crusaders. George Bower , who has been brought in, should have been named in the original squad, ahead of Norris. He too was fantastic for the Crusaders. Like team mate Christian Lio-Willie, who also has been elevated. Both should have been automatic selections. Just a shame the two players injured are Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Williams.

1 Go to comments

AT 2 hours ago

'Four good 10s': Robertson weighs in on All Blacks first fives and Mo'unga situation

Because his blood is Tongan/Sāmoan do the math mate. ABs don't need him.

28 Go to comments

Sam T 2 hours ago

'It's disrespectful': Former All Blacks shocked by France's travelling squad

Hmmmm they should actually watch some of the Top14 games featuring many of the players selected in the squad, particularly in the backs.

They are skilful and they are rapid. I hope that Razor banking on power players in the midfield doesn’t backfire. I’ve yet to see many well constructed tries scored by the All Blacks backs when spreading the ball the full width of the pitch.

6 Go to comments

Over the sideline 2 hours ago

'Four good 10s': Robertson weighs in on All Blacks first fives and Mo'unga situation

Haha.. Or ones that get run around in by some.

28 Go to comments

Over the sideline 2 hours ago

'Four good 10s': Robertson weighs in on All Blacks first fives and Mo'unga situation

Tonga and Samoa had 39 NZ born and bred players in their combined squads at last WC. Happens a lot actually.

28 Go to comments

Over the sideline 2 hours ago

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson reveals who the fastest player in New Zealand is

Speed is such a difficult thing to put a value on. In most team sports, speed over the first 20-25 mtrs is all you need to make a break or get past an opponent it rarely does a fast 100m speed benifit much. There is always that once tho…