British & Irish Lions secured victory in the opening Test as they triumphed 27-19 at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday with coach Andy Farrell insisting his player “did the shirt proud” in Brisbane.
The tourists were touted by some as overwhelming favourites going into the first clash of a three-match series and they certainly came out of the blocks flying with fly-half Finn Russell pulling the strings.
The game's opening try came when Russell – who had already confidently banged over a penalty in front of the posts – had sent a magnificent long pass to his Scotland teammate Sione Tuipulotu who went over to put the Lions 10-0 ahead with less than 10 minutes on the clock.
But the Wallabies dragged themselves into the game just before the half-hour mark when they halved the deficit after Max Jorgensen ripped the ball off Hugo Keenan in the air and raced clear to score.
Any home joy was short-lived, though, as Tom Curry powered over the line with Russell converting to put the Lions 17-5 up at the break. Impressive Lions flankers Curry and Tadgh Beirne were hailed as “absolutely immense” by coach Farrell afterwards.
Any thoughts of an immediate Australian fight back after Joe Schmidt's half-time team talk took an immediate hit when Curry provided a killer pass to Dan Sheehan, who finished in the corner after two minutes, with Russell converting impressively from out wide to make it 24-5.
But the Lions' began to fade as the half wore on and Australia were able to bring some respectability to the scoreline.
The Wallabies thought they had struck back after some sustained pressure when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii barged over next to the posts, but referee Ben O'Keeffe ruled he had not released the ball on the ground and the try was disallowed.
With the match slipping away, replacement Wallaby flanker Carlo Tizzano burrowed over and Ben Donaldson's conversion made it 24-12 with 12 minutes remaining.
Marcus Smith then popped over a penalty to put the Lions 27-12 ahead only for Tate McDermott to score a consolation try to Donaldson convert to end a disappointing last quarter for the Lions. Both teams will have plenty to work on looking forward to the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground next Saturday.
“Obviously we are delighted to get the result, to get the first under the belt,” said Lions head coach Andy Farrell. “I thought we did the shirt proud, how we attacked the game especially in the first half was very pleasing.
“I thought we started very well, our game control was excellent throughout and the back row were immense throughout.
“We stood up, our physicality was spot in the first half, but in the second we were a bit loose. Plenty to work on for game two.
“The good thing is we roll on to Tuesday night and the rest of the guys get to put their hands up. It is a big occasion for us.
“We will be dealing with a wounded animal second up, MCG sold out, it doesn't get any better and we expect ourselves to be better again.”
Lions captain Maro Itoje admitted that is had been “a tough old game” in front of 52,229 fans at the Suncorp Stadium, “No game of rugby is perfect. It wasn't perfect for us.
“We put pressure on ourselves with our decision making. It puts us in a good position, we definitely aren't complacent or comfortable.”
As for Australia, coach Schmidt says his side paid the price for failing to take their opportunities. “I felt like the players really dug in, and the score just before half-time was frustrating,” he said.
“We played well, and those tries got us back in the game. We've got character, but we didn't take the chances we should have.
“We'll make some decisions Monday and Tuesday. It's difficult to say if we'll change personal and how that will impact us.”
Australian captain Harry Wilson added: "We're disappointed we didn't get our game going, especially in the second half.
“Nothing will change for us, we need to win two games, we'll regroup and come back next week. I love representing Australia, I'm disappointed with the result.”
FIGHT INFO
Men’s 60kg Round 1:
Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1
Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)
RIVER%20SPIRIT
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6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) | US$95,000 | (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) ) | $175,000) | (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) ) | $135,000 ) | (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 3 (TB) ) | $300,000) | (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Curlin Handicap Listed (TB)) | $160,000) | (D) 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB)) | $175,000) | (T) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap (TB) ) | $135,000 ) | (T) 2,000m
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Naga
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Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Zayed Sustainability Prize
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets