‘RIP to the North Sydney pubs, because they are going to be absolutely inundated by a bunch of humans!,’ joked the commentator at full-time.Leigh Halfpenny got stuck into the big lads. (Image: Stan Sport via Sky Sports.)

The British and Irish Legends were pipped 31-26 by Classic Wallabies in a thrilling exhibition match at North Sydney Oval, with Leigh Halfpenny showing he’s as brave as ever.

Halfpenny and Shane Williams were just some of the Welsh names in the match day squad, in a collective littered with famous names. Former rugby player and now-internet celebrity James Smith was even involved on the bench alongside Williams. The Legends had won the first game 41-31. Williams was supposed to play in the first match, but wasn’t able to make it. He promised the lads he would turn up for the Sydney encounter, and he lined up on the wing for the Legends side.

Speaking ahead of the game to Stan Sport, Williams said: “It’ll be great to don the boots for, hopefully, five minutes tonight and get amongst it! You miss out as a player.

“It’s nice to still get involved in the training, the camaraderie and the crack with the boys, and try and reminisce to see what it used to be like. I hope no one is expecting big things tonight, that’s all I’m saying!”

Former Lions star Alex Cuthbert also represented Wales, and crossed for the second score of the match, latching on to a bouncing ball and running unopposed to the whitewash. He was also on hand to make the break for the opening try of the match, with former Scotland international Ryan Wilson crossing the white line.

Wales legend Halfpenny, who has been linked with a move to Beziers in France, played a superb game for the Legends side. He made some impressive try-saving tackles, taking down 6ft 2in Joseph Tomane in a game where both sides were not afraid to shirk the physicality.

Halfpenny followed that tackle up with a hit on 6ft 5in, 20 stone Taqele Naiyaravoro to prevent the Classic Wallabies from scoring. However, he did take a bone-crunching hit off the big man, too.

Leigh Halfpenny was especially good for the Lions Legends. (Image: Stan Sport via Sky Sports. )

Andy Powell, who injured his shoulder in the opening few minutes of the first match, was supposed to be on commentary, but didn’t end up covering the game. Broadcast did cut to him later on, where he confirmed the severity of his injury.

“It’s not good, I think I’ve got a grade three AC joint, I think I’ll have to have an op when I get back,” he said.

Asked about the Legends side, who were struggling to hit back in the second half, Powell said: “I think the boys are struggling from the last five days on the p***, I think!

“I think we’ve all booked ourselves into rehab when we get back, the boys are struggling, but we’ll still go hard!” Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

Finn Russell’s little brother Archie even played for the Legends, getting himself on the scoresheet, too. He was referred to as ‘Happy Gimore’s caddy’ for the entirety of the match, thanks to his bleach blonde haircut.

Despite a valiant effort from the Lions Legends, the game ended in very similar fashion to last week’s Test match between the Lions and Australia.

Going into the last 10 minutes, the score was exactly the same as the second Test, at 26-24 to the Wallabies. However, in this encounter, it was the home side who stretched their lead with a try on 73 minutes.

The Lions needed a converted try to win the match, and were just metres out on 81 minutes when a crucial turnover was made.

Cue big smiles and big hugs as the players were thankful to be done with the all the physical exertion after a tough week of ‘touring’!

Speaking after the game, Halfpenny spoke to Stan Sport, saying: “It was good fun, it got pretty physical out there!,” said Halfpenny.

“What an honour to share the field with absolute legends and yeah a pretty tough battle! Congratulations to the Classic Wallabies on the win and I really enjoyed it, it was good fun.”

Halfpenny was then complimented by Stan Sport, with the interviewer saying: “You’ve still got it!”

“I don’t know about that!,” answered Halfpenny. “I was blowing at one point there. I enjoyed it, it was good fun. Pleasure to share the field with the lads, great to be back in Australia, it was awesome.”