The dust has settled on the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, and it's time to roll out the Planet Rugby awards. With 10 accolades to hand out, we start with the standout players from the Lions and Wallabies squads, before moving on to other notable performances throughout the series.
Lions flanker Tom Curry emerged as our top player for the Lions. Despite not being the official choice, his phenomenal display across three Tests, including two crucial tries, made him the undeniable pick. His performance was a vindication of Andy Farrell's decision to start him and silenced any critics from before the series. Tadhg Beirne was a close contender, but Curry’s impact was simply more pronounced.
For the Wallabies, Will Skelton took the honors. At 33, Skelton's return to Test rugby was nothing short of dominant, troubling the Lions with his physicality and presence in the rucks throughout the later Tests.
Lions prop Ellis Genge earned the title of the player of the tour, thanks to his robust performances from the get-go, including a standout pre-tour match against Argentina. His consistent delivery, especially in the scrums, edged out Finn Russell for the prize, despite Russell's maturing playmaking skills witnessed during the tour.
"The PACE from Cordero ?? Argentina hit back ??"
The top try scorer accolade went to Duhan van der Merwe, who topped the charts with five tries, astonishingly without playing a minute in the Test series. His scoring prowess was on full display against the AUNZ Invitational XV, where he notched three of his total.
The second Test against Australia was a thriller and easily clinched the game of the tour. Played in front of over 90,000 spectators at the MCG, the Lions secured a nail-biting victory with Hugo Keenan's last-second try, capping a stunning series comeback. The try of the tour went to Santiago Cordero of Argentina for a sensational score against Ireland, a try that began in their own 22 and ended with Cordero outpacing his defenders to the try-line, clinching an unforgettable win for Los Pumas.
In the unsung hero categories, Ollie Chessum was recognized for the Lions for his influential yet understated performances, while Nick Frost received the nod for the Wallabies, his lineout disruptions and all-round play garnering praise from pundits, including David Campese who hailed him as "the future."
Maro Itoje, with a staggering 88 tackles, was named the top tackler, demonstrating leadership and resilience. Garry Ringrose, who selflessly withdrew from the second Test due to concussion symptoms, was honored with the Jason Leonard award, embodying the spirit of putting team and personal health first.
As the 2025 Lions tour concludes, these standout performances and memorable moments continue to resonate, highlighting the enduring appeal and intense competition of Lions tours.