British & Irish Lions 24-28 Argentina: Lions fall short at the Aviva Stadium in Andy Farrell's first game in charge before jetting off to Australia tour
As Argentina's jubilant players celebrated wildly on the Aviva Stadium pitch, many of them close to tears, the Lions gathered in a sombre huddle and Elliot Daly dished out some forceful post-match words.
Seconds earlier, at the final whistle, the men in red had stood in shock, hands on heads and hips, trying to take in what had happened. This wasn't in the script. It was supposed to be a launch party for the 2025 tour. It was supposed to be a useful first tune-up for the Lions against weakened Pumas and a chance to make a statement ahead of their arrival in Australia.
So much for best-laid plans.
Instead, Andy Farrell's British and Irish squad will fly Down Under today in inquest mode and licking their wounds after Argentina became just the fifth country to beat the Lions. The South Americans joined Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Fiji in claiming one of the most prized scalps in rugby. It was a seismic result which deprives the tourists of valuable momentum ahead of their arrival in Perth tomorrow.
There were silver linings. The Lions didn't suffer injuries, which is a huge relief for head coach Andy Farrell. They also appeared to avoid any disciplinary issues, which was another potential pre-tour pitfall. And at times they played with positive energy and intent in attack, creating chances from all parts of the field.
But it was a performance which might have been expected from a newly-formed team full of untried combinations, trying to knit together in a hurry. There were bright bits and messy bits. The attack was full of ambition but lacked cohesion and precision. The scrum was savagely dominant, which is a big tick in the box for starting props Ellis Genge and Finlay Bealham. The lineout was untidy, but the real problem was when the Pumas were in possession.
Defensively, the Lions were often ragged. They were carved open time and again by their opponents and appeared to have a major fault line in midfield, where Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was operating out of position at outside centre. On this initial evidence, it would be best to consider him and Bundee Aki as either-or options at 12, rather than as a muscular double-act.
Lions head coach Andy Farrell had put pressure on the players involved in this game to make strong early statements in the battle for Test places. Some did, notably Tommy Freeman, Genge and Tom Curry. But it will take time for all the moving parts to work well in unison, and time is something the tourists don't have in abundance. The series opener against the Wallabies takes place in four weeks. There are plenty of rough edges to smooth over.
There was a carnival atmosphere in Dublin, where rugby was competing for box-office attention with a series of giant concerts by American musician Zach Bryan over the weekend. The Irish capital was full of red shirts and the pre-match buzz was palpable. While an estimated 40,000 British and Irish supporters are travelling to Australia for the tour itself, this was a chance for those who can't go all that way, at all that considerable expense, to enjoy a glimpse of the four-nation side.
Make no mistake, these fixtures are about raising money. They allow the Lions to generate an extra heap of income to fund the long-haul mission and add to a jackpot return for the home unions. A cherished sporting institution has become an almighty financial juggernaut.
But the mood among those present illustrated the enduring enthusiasm for this famous touring team, no matter how much of a commercial machine it has become. Especially after the 2021 crusade to South Africa was ruined by Covid, all the devotees have waited eight years for their first in-person fix since 2017. The sense of anticipation was infectious.
Back in 2005, the Lions drew 25-25 with Argentina in Cardiff and captain of the Pumas that night was Felipe Contepomi; the head coach of the South American side this time. The former Leinster fly-half had his sights on a famous shock, on his return to the city where he spent stints as a player and then as a coach, for the Irish province. His players duly obliged.
The silver lining being the Lions didn't suffer injuries, a huge relief for head coach Andy Farrell
Tomas Albornoz's early penalty was cancelled out by Fin Smith, but in the 13th minute Argentina claimed their first try. Albornoz's long pass released Santiago Carreras and he in turn sent Ignacio Mendy away to strike on the left.
The Lions were creating plenty but succumbing to frustrating errors. First Luke Cowan-Dickie then Tuipulotu had tries disallowed. Eventually, finally, Aki blasted through three defenders to score the 2025 Lions' first try and Fin Smith converted to give the hosts a 10-8 lead.
But the defensive lapses continued. Albornoz was presented with two more penalty chances and he landed both shots to edge his side in front again, before the fly-half rounded off a slick, long-range raid down the right and converted his own try just before the break.
The Lions re-emerged like men on a mission and soon regained the initiative. First came a penalty try after a lineout drive, then Genge's barn-storming break paved the way for the next try, finished off by Tadhg Beirne.
But Argentina ignored the script and came again, to produce another remarkable try from distance, as Santiago Cordero touched down and Albornoz converted. The home side hurled everything at them, but more untimely errors undermined their comeback attempts.
Down Under, Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt – a master strategist – will pick through the footage of this close contest and seize upon evidence to convince his team that these Lions are beatable. Farrell will turn his thoughts to deploying a different line-up and belatedly igniting the campaign with a big win over Western Force. As for Argentina, they will go home and prepare an ambush for England, in La Plata and San Juan, buoyed by this historic feat.
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