The Classic Wallabies have delivered a memorable 2-0 series victory over the British & Irish Legends, winning both matches in an entertaining Legends Series that captivated rugby fans across Australia during the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour.
Twelve years after their inaugural clash in 2013, the Classic Wallabies and British & Irish Legends renewed their rivalry in a thrilling two-match series that showcased the enduring talent and competitive spirit of rugby's greatest alumni. The expanded series, featuring matches in Melbourne and Sydney, provided Australian fans and traveling Lions supporters with unforgettable nights of rugby entertainment.
The series opened at AAMI Park in Melbourne on July 24, where the Classic Wallabies claimed a 41-31 victory in what was described as a chaotic and fascinating encounter. The team took the field in an iconic gold jersey - a tribute to the Wallabies strip from the 1989 Lions tour - appropriately emblazoned with the words OLD GOLD thanks to the support of Cadbury Old Gold. The match began as a relaxed exhibition but gradually intensified as the competitive instincts of these former international stars took over.
Key Moments:
- Taqele Naiyarovoro opened the scoring for the Classic Wallabies, collecting the ball on the left wing to cross the line
- Curtis Rona's corner try, set up by another Naiyarovoro assist, proved crucial
- Henry Speight and Hugh Pyle also crossed for the hosts
- For the British & Irish Legends, Sean Lamont and Guy Thompson rolled back the years with impressive tries
The match was notable for its entertaining commentary team led by Andrew Swain, James Horwill, and James Haskell, along with the moment when Drew Mitchell pulled a hamstring, to the delight of the watching Kurtley Beale who had forecast it only seconds earlier in commentary.
The series concluded at the iconic North Sydney Oval on July 31, where over 8,000 passionate fans witnessed another thrilling encounter. The British & Irish Legends showed significant improvement from the opening match, storming to a commanding 26-12 halftime lead that had the visitors dreaming of splitting the series.
The Dramatic Turnaround: The halftime scoreline told a story of British & Irish dominance, with opportunistic tries from Alex Cuthbert and Petrus du Plessis capitalizing on loose Australian passes. However, the Classic Wallabies' competitive fire was ignited by captain Matt Giteau's halftime frustrations about the visitors bringing "Test-level intensity" to what was supposed to be a jovial exhibition.
The response was immediate and devastating. The Classic Wallabies completely shut out their opponents in the second half, scoring 19 unanswered points to claim a memorable 31-26 victory and complete the series sweep.
Beyond the entertaining on-field action, the Legends Series represented much more than exhibition matches. As Morgan Turinui, General Manager of Classic Wallabies, noted: "This series represents more than just exhibition matches. It's about celebrating the rich history of rugby between the four home unions and Australia, creating once-in-12-years experiences for fans and corporate partners, whilst raising significant funds for grassroots rugby development across Australia."
The series successfully brought together rugby legends spanning multiple generations, with the Classic Wallabies squad featuring stalwarts like Stephen Larkham (102 caps), Matt Giteau (103 caps), and Adam Ashley-Cooper (121 caps), while the British & Irish Legends showcased stars including Mike Tindall, Shane Byrne, Sean Lamont, and Leigh Halfpenny.
The 2025 Legends Series proved that the magic of rugby transcends retirement. While skills may have diminished slightly with age, the competitive spirit and match-winning instincts that made these players legends remained as sharp as ever. The Classic Wallabies' perfect 2-0 series victory provides a fitting conclusion to what was a celebration of rugby's rich history and the enduring bonds between Australian and British & Irish rugby.
For the Classic Wallabies, the series success continues their mission of developing rugby at the grassroots level while honoring the sport's greatest traditions. Since 2018, Classic Wallabies initiatives have reached over 5.3 million people, engaged more than 10,000 children in rugby clinics, and visited over 300 schools nationwide - a legacy that extends far beyond any single match or series.
The Legends Series 2025 will be remembered not just for the quality of rugby on display, but as a reminder that rugby's greatest asset has always been its people - and the friendships and rivalries that define the sport's unique character.
The Legends Series is only possible thanks to close working relationship with the British & Irish Legends to assemble a squad for the tour, along with a host of wonderful sponsors and partners. Thanks to Classic Wallabies sponsors and supporters Cadbury Old Gold, Visit Victoria, Inferno Sports, The Rugby Club Foundation, Gravity Drinks, Good Drinks Australia (Magners Irish Cider), 4 Pines and North Sydney Council. Thanks also to the British and Irish Legends sponsors and supporters including Tysers, AUB Group, Titan Wealth, Corporate Traveller, Consilium and Sustainable Sports Foundation.
