- The Waratahs finished eighth in 2025 Super Rugby Pacific
- The Lions have led by 14 and nine points at the break in their two games in Australia
- Recommended bet: Waratahs +16.5 1st Half Handicap

The British & Irish Lions' loss to Argentina on the opening night of their tour feels like a lifetime ago and they run out in Sydney on Saturday to face the New South Wales Waratahs aiming to make it three wins from as many fixtures in Australia.

With only a fortnight until the first Test against Australia in Brisbane, this may be the last chance for players to prove to Andy Farrell and his staff that they deserve a place in the matchday 23.

Wednesday's match against ACT Brumbies – the highest-ranked Australian side in 2025 Super Rugby Pacific – and next Saturday's fixture with an Invitational AU & NZ team will be tough.

However, with two weeks to go, Farrell might already know his first-choice team and may want to start wrapping some of his stars up in cotton wool.

The Lions have won both of their previous meetings with the Waratahs since the side entered Super Rugby at the advent of the professional era.

They finished eighth in that competition this year but with five of their six wins in 2025 coming at home in Sydney, they could make life awkward for the tourists.

Team news

Wallabies stars Taniela Tupou and Andrew Kellaway have been named in the Waratahs' starting line-up after being released from the Australia squad for the game against Fiji.

There are five other Australian internationals in the matchday 23, Lalakai Foketi, Darby Lancaster, Rob Leota, Matt Philip and Tane Edmed.

The Lions have made 14 changes from the side that beat the Reds, with Hugo Keenan, who was a late withdrawal in Brisbane through illness, fit to start alongside full-back rival Blair Kinghorn, who plays on the left wing after helping Toulouse win the Top 14 last weekend.

Tadhg Beirne captains the team and moves back into the second row after playing blindside flanker against Western Force.

Henry Pollock will play six alongside Ben Earl and Josh van der Flier in the back row.

Huw Jones is the only player to keep his place from the midweek win over the Reds and starts alongside Scotland colleague Sione Tuipulotu in the centres, while Northampton team-mates Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith have been selected in the halves.

The stats

The Lions beat the Waratahs 41-24 in 2001 and 47-14 in 2013.

The latter of those results was followed by the 'Tahs winning their only Super Rugby title in 2014.

However, the NSW outfit approach this game after finishing eighth in Super Rugby with a 2025 record of 14 games played, six wins, and eight losses.

The Lions have led by 14 points and nine points at half time in their two games in Australia.

Prediction

Farrell's team features established partnerships from club and international level in the halves and centres, with Northampton duo Mitchell and Smith playing inside Glasgow's Tuipulotu and Jones.

Keenan and Kinghorn's back-three selection in tandem also adds an intriguing tactical element, with both more than happy to receive the high ball and always willing to run it back.

Meanwhile, the other wing, Mack Hansen, has been praised by the coach for his selfless nature.

However, back three, the centres and a few other individuals aside, this has the feel of a midweek team but there is still time for players to make it into the Test 23.

It is not all about the Lions, though, with the Waratahs possessing decent quality throughout their side and having been strong at home in 2025.

They will also be buoyed by the Lions' relatively slow starts, leading by 14 points at the break against the Force before winning 54-7 and then by nine before running out 52-12 winners over the Reds.

Something similar might be the play here.

Back Waratahs +16.5 1st Half Handicap at 27/25 with LiveScore Bet