The British and Irish Lions took to the Canberra Stadium on Tuesday in their final warm-up match before facing Australia in the Test series.
The fixture was widely regarded as the toughest challenge for the unbeaten tourists so far, with Warren Gatland opting to field a heavily-changed XV.
It was the last chance for a number of players to stake their claim for a starting berth against the Wallabies at the weekend.
However, the Lions lost their unbeaten run after a tense defeat at the hands of the Brumbies.
Read how it all unfolded with our live commentary below.
Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the British and Irish Lions as they take on Brumbies in Canberra.
Well, where do we start with today's fixture? We have injury headaches, selection issues, new recruits, bizarre comebacks, the sternest challenge so far and, of course, Australia is just four days away.
The Lions are still unbeaten however, after overcoming the Waratahs on Saturday with the best performance of the tour so far. But today the travellers face their toughest task so far, and many are predicting a very even contest, due to the Lions heavily-changed side that Warren Gatland is opting to field.
I'll bring you more on the match in a moment, but first, let's get the team news. Starting with the Lions.
LIONS XV: 15. Rob Kearney, 14. Christian Wade, 13. Brad Barritt, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Shane Williams, 10. Stuart Hogg, 9. Ben Youngs, 8. Toby Faletau, 7. Justin Tipuric, 6. Sean O'Brien, 5. Richie Gray, 4. Ian Evans, 3. Matt Stevens, 2. Rory Best (c), 1. Ryan Grant
So as we have already outlined, a lot of changes in that team from Warren Gatland. The most notable change though is the incredible recall of Welsh legend Shane Williams to the side. The winger was on duty in Japan until the weekend, when he received a call while sleeping from coach Rob Howley asking for him to link up with the side. It's being billed as a one-off appearance, but could Williams play his way into contention for the Wallabies? He has a chance. Either way, it's remarkable story, and he starts today.
Four other players are also making their first tour starts today. One of them is Rob Kearney, who came off the bench against the Waratahs after recovering from injury. Prior to his problems, the Ireland international was a shoo-in at full-back for the Test series. Now he has another chance to prove his worth. Massive game for him.
Three other debutants today are new recruits Billy Twelvetrees, Christian Wade, Brad Barritt. The first two were pulled away from England's tour of Argentina, with Wade having only made his international debut earlier this month, whereas Barritt was on his summer holidays before getting the call. They all start.
It's worth noting as well that Ireland's Rory Best captains the side today, having not been included in the original squad. Crazy isn't it.
With Kearney in at full-back, Stuart Hogg plies his trade once more in the fly-half position, having impressed their against Combined Country.
Here are the replacements...
LIONS REPLACEMENTS: 16. Richard Hibbard, 17. Alex Corbisiero, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Geoff Parling, 20. Dan Lydiate, 21. Connor Murray, 22. Owen Farrell, 23. Simon Zebo
While Gatland has said that he is looking forward to seeing the new guys in action, he will be desperate to not pick up any more injuries.
Wing Tommy Bowe is already out of the Wallabies opener on Saturday, as more than likely is centre Jamie Roberts. Manu Tuilagi, also centre, could recover in time for the match, while winger George North is rated 50-50.
OK, let's bring you the opposition for the Lions today.
BRUMBIES XV: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Andrew Smith, Clyde Rathbone, Matt Toomua, Ian Prior; Ruan Smith, Siliva Siliva, Scott Sio, Leon Power, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Colby Faingaa, Peter Kimlin
BRUMBIES REPLACEMENTS: Josh Mann-Rea, Jean-Pierre Smith, Chris Cocca, Etienne Oosthuizen, Jordan Smiler, Mark Swanepoel, Robbie Coleman, Zack Holmes
What a big challenge for the Lions today.
The Lions players are exchanging hugs and pulling on the jerseys in the changing rooms. We're not far off the arrival of the two teams.
Five minutes to go!
What an intriguing and exciting back three of Shane Williams, Christian Wade and Rob Kearney. I can't wait to see them in action!
Scott Sio and Peter Kimlin both start for the Brumbies today, after they were released by Robbie Deans from the Wallabies squad. Despite this, Brumbies are still without several of Australia's Test players.
And out come the teams, and out comes Shane Williams for his third Lions tour.
Kick is imminent.
WE'RE OFF!
Flying start from the Lions who win a lineout and come close on several occasions. First, Wade is close to going under the posts, before the ball is worked along the line to Williams, but he is absolutely buried underneath a pile of Brumbies bodies. Good start for the tourists.
The Lions are playing to the right, sporting their red shirts, white socks and black and green socks, while in the opposite direction, Brumbies are wearing mainly white top with blue sleeves, blue shorts and blue socks.
The Brumbies are right on the line now after a few mistakes from the Lions. We could have an early try on the horizon for the Super 15 League leaders.
TRY! Lions 0-5 Brumbies (Tevita Kuridrani)
It's a great start for the home crowd and a fine try for Kuridrani, but what a sequence of mistakes from the Lions. Hogg, Barritt and Kearney should have all done better, as Kuridrani battered his way down the line before coming inside and going over.
CONVERSION MISSED! Lions 0-5 Brumbies (Ian Prior)
It's just the five points then for the Brumbies, as Prior's kick from left touchline is dragged wide of the near post.
There has been some lovely slick play from the Brumbies so far. The Lions have been shown what they are up against. They're managed, by the way, by Jake White who led South Africa to the 2007 World Cup.
It's end to end stuff at the moment following a scrum on the halfway line, with Prior, Kearney and Hogg all exchanging large kicks.
Brumbies are doing well in the scrum until now, as the Lions turn the pack around to win a penalty. They look as if they are going to take it to a scrum once more.
The Brumbies have been really strong in the tackle so far, as the Lions look for a way through following the scrum. They're being held on the Brumbies 10-metre line.
The Brumbies now have a lineout, and a chance to clear the danger.
Jesse Mogg takes the ball from the lineout and tries to kick it forward. His effort is poor though, and now the Lions can try their luck from touch.
The Lions go into a ruck from the lineout, and try to allow Wade a run forward He tries to kick it forward, but is clattered by the Brumbies forward, and the home side now have the advantage at the scrum.
The ball makes its way into touch and the Lions have a lineout. However, the growing trend of this tour is another poor delivery from the touchline, and the Brumbies can catch it and turn it over.
Hogg catches a kick ever so well for the Lions, and holds his ground as the tourists can form a line and try to push forward. In the end they receive a penalty after a knock-on advantage. Hogg may be eyeing the posts from here.
Hogg opts for touch. Lineout time for the Lions.
Better lineout this time from the Lions as Ian Evans catches. The Lions now trying to drive forward to the line, they're about eight metres away before the referee brings it back to the penalty.
This time, Hogg will go for the posts.
You cannot understand how literal that last comment was. Hogg from the right curls 15 metres in from touch and it swirls into the inside of the post, and the Brumbies can jump on it. Frustrating for Hogg and the Lions.
The Lions win it back but then concede a penalty for illegally holding on to the ball.
Chance for the Brumbies to get forward now, and are on the Lions 22. The tourists can turn it over though and are looking for a way out.
Fine work from Kuridrani once more as the chance is still on for the Brumbies after he bombs through the middle. Kearney does well to force the pass and hold his ground to earn Lions the advantage at the scrum. Great work from him.
Hogg hits a massive kick downfield from the free kick after the scrum, but Brumbies again hold it and come back at them.
Messy stuff again at the lineout from the Lions, Brumbies in control at the tourists' 22.
Not seen too much from Williams or Wade yet. They haven't had much of a chance to run at Brumbies, who are straight on them whenever in possession.
Kimlin has been very impressive for Brumbies so far. Could he play his way into the Wallabies squad?
Awful pass from Twelvetrees, miles away from Barritt. The two aren't on the same wavelength. All the momentum with the Brumbies at the moment.
Break in play at the moment as the medics are called on for Sean O'Brien.
Brumbies have a penalty for an offside, and Jesse Mogg is going really long. If he can pull this off, from well inside his own half, this will be marvellous.
65 metres out.
Distance not an issue for Mogg there, but direction was as it floats just wide to the left. Huge boot.
Scrum time on the Brumbies 10-metre line.
The Lions attack dies as Brumbies boot it into touch. Lineout for the Lions, need a good throw from Best here.
We're going to have a scrum now after Best's throw isn't straight. That's really poor, and not for the first time. The Lions are really shooting themselves in the foot with these set pieces.
The Lions have made their way to the Brumbies 10-metre line but fail to retain the ball. Penalty to Brumbies, Mogg will go for the posts here I would think.
Sean O'Brien guilty of losing it there.
Prior goes for it and misses his second straight kick. It curls wide of the left again. Big let off for the Lions.
Brumbies now have another kick attempt. This time with Mogg on the right, just over the halfway line.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 0-8 Brumbies (Jesse Mogg)
Mogg hits it and it looks to be dragging wide of the right but drastically turns in the air and goes between the sticks. Eight-point lead for the hosts and it is well deserved.
The Lions pushing forward, they are desperate to get something before the break.
Brumbies holding on at the moment. Lions trying so hard though.
Discipline cracked from Brumbies there as they concede the penalty for putting their hands in the ruck.
Hogg will go for the kick here, chance for the Lions to reduce the deficit going into half time.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 3-8 Brumbies (Stuart Hogg)
He gets it! And that could be crucial. The Brumbies lead by five at the break.
HALF TIME: Lions 3-8 Brumbies
So the Lions go into the break on a high but there is no escaping the fact that it's been a poor first half from the tourists. Warren Gatland will be having stern words at the break, and I expect it won't be too long before we see a number of changes.
The Brumbies, however, and really showing why they are at the top of the Super 15 Rugby table and have played excellently at times. Strong performances from Kimlin, Kuridrani and Speight. The boot of Prior has cost them a bigger lead.
The teams are back out here, and Andy Farrell had an absolute roar at them in the changing rooms at the break. No changes made at half time.
THE SECOND HALF HAS BEGUN!
Already, Rory Best has put in a poor throw at the lineout. This has to stop.
Wade very nearly in there, as he gallops around the outside of the pack before being clawed down by Kuridrani. High tackle given? It's gone to the TMO.
The Lions get the decision. Again they go for the lineout and again they lost out!
The Lions finally get away with a lineout, even though it didn't look straight, and win a penalty at the breakdown for the not releasing. Brumbies steal it and clear.
Penalty to the Brumbies in centre field, should be an easy three points. Mogg is over this one.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 3-11 Brumbies (Jesse Mogg)
Easy for Mogg, and the Brumbies gain back their eight-point lead.
The Lions are given the advantage at the scrum after a Brumbies knock-on.
Lions win the scrum and Hogg kicks forward, but his punt his caught by Mogg who rose above Kearney.
Twelvetrees hits the wall of the Brumbies defence. The TMO is currently reviewing a upward driving tackle on Hogg by Faingaa.
Faingaa gets away with it after the officials evaluate the issue. Scrum down in the middle of the park. The Lions lose it and the crowd cheers as Jesse Mogg puts a super kick into touch.
Penalty awarded to Brumbies after Ryan Grant tries to rip the head of a player. Mogg will take it.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 3-14 Brumbies (Jesse Mogg)
This is slipping away from the Lions after a superb kick from the left touchline from Jesse Mogg. Swirls it in between the sticks for the three points.
The Lions have a penalty after Brumbies fail to release the ball from the ruck. Not sure what they will do here. Hogg looks as if he is going for the posts.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 6-14 Brumbies (Stuart Hogg)
Great kick from Hogg, can the Lions build momentum now?
Cole, Corbisiero, Hibbard and Lydiate are all on for the Lions, they really do want to win this.
Scrum on the halfway line, this is going to be a real scrap.
The Lions dominate the scrum and then get the penalty after Brumbies are penalised for standing in the scrum. Big kick for Hogg and it's a real tricky one.
Hogg hits the post again! He must be getting sick of it. The boot looks good, but it floats wide and cannons of the right post.
Farrell, Murray and Parling have been called on.
The Lions get the better of the scrum and make a few passes, Faletau plays a wonder flick pass to wrongfoot a few Brumbies before Wade fails to control, and Mogg puts it into touch.
This is better from the Lions. Showing good hands, and more directness.
The subs have really lifted the tempo of this match.
Lions have a penalty, first chance for Farrell.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 9-14 Brumbies (Owen Farrell)
No mistake from Farrell, who reduces the deficit to five points. The Lions have a real chance now.
Lions win the scrum and Wade races towards the right. Speight makes a big tackle on Wade, and we'll have a lineout.
Kearney plays a kick high into the middle of the pitch and brilliantly catches it himself. The Lions are penalised though for not releasing the ball, and Mogg will knock this into touch.
Kearney, by the way, has had a very good game for the Lions. Positioning has been excellent.
Lions lineout on their own 22.
Hibbard throws, Parling catches, Farrell clears. The lineout is starting to work.
Williams is brought off, I wonder if we will see him again. Zebo is on for his second appearance.
The Lions steal it from a Brumbies lineout, Twelvetrees gets chopped down by Kuridrani, but the tourists keep possession.
Kearney plays an awesome kick into touch. He's done so well today, could he mount a late selection for the Wallabies clash?
Lions have a penalty, Farrell will take it. Going for the three points. with 10 to go, I'm surprised they're not going for the try.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 12-14 Brumbies (Owen Farrell)
The comeback is still on, perfect kick from Farrell.
The Lions are pushing really hard now and they are forcing Brumbies right back. Kearney and Faletau have been superb.
The Lions were doing so well and pushing Brumbies right back, but they managed to turn it over.
Scrum on the Brumbies 22.
This is going to be a really tense finale.
Brumbies have turned it over! That could be it. They're so close to victory and becoming the first side to beat the Lions on this tour.
Just under two minutes to go, and we'll have another scrum in the Lions half.
Brumbies have a penalty, and that will be that. They have won surely.
The hooter sounds, it's booted out, and the Brumbies win!
FULL TIME: British and Irish Lions 12-14 Brumbies
And that's that. The Lions lose for the first time on the tour and the first time under Warren Gatland. The Lions left it late before mounting a comeback and couldn't quite push themselves over the line.
The Brumbies probably just deserved it in the end however, and you can see how much it means to them. They are dancing around in joy, and it isn't hard to see why they are the best that Australia has to offer at the moment.
The Lions changes made a real difference, but the starting players left too much for them to do in the end.
I wonder what on earth Warren Gatland is thinking ahead of the opener with the Wallabies on Saturday. On a positive note there were fine performances from Kearney and Faletau, as well as getting through a physical battle with no injuries.
However, next up - Australia! In just four days time!
That's it from me today, I hope you enjoyed the game. Until the next time, goodbye.
Written by
Matt Cotton
Matt Cotton
