Match Reports

British & Irish Lions earn opening Test victory over Wallabies

Andy Farrell gave an expressionless nod of approval as the British & Irish Lions started their Test campaign with a 27–19 win at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

First Test - Sione Tuipulotu

Andy Farrell gave an expressionless nod of approval as the British & Irish Lions started their Test campaign with a 27–19 win at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Job done, but the mission is far from complete.

Twelve years ago, they edged a 23–21 thriller at this ground, but this was a more dominant performance, as Finn Russell’s vision and Tom Curry’s all-action display often left the Wallabies searching for answers.

However, Joe Schmidt’s team showed greater spirit in a more evenly matched second half, reducing the winning margin to single figures and giving hope for what’s to come in Melbourne and Sydney.

FINN'S FLYING START

Russell slotted an early penalty to settle nerves after the Wallabies infringed at the first breakdown.

Starting fast has become a mantra for the tourists, and Russell was at the heart of the Lions’ creativity; raking kicks and precision passes put Australia on the back foot.

It was his vision and beautifully arched pass that picked out Scotland team-mate Sione Tuipulotu in the ninth minute, the inside centre crashing over for his second try of the tour.

After all the talk and hype, it was no surprise the Lions came flying at their rivals. Both Curry and Tadhg Beirne – much-debated back row selections – proved a few early points.

Huw Jones had a try chalked off by the TMO after the Lions’ quick hands again sliced a yawning gap through Australia’s defence. The hosts were reeling from the tourists’ brutality, creativity and confidence.

It wasn’t until the 29th minute that Australia made a serious foray into their opponents’ 22, briefly getting back into the game against the run of play.

Max Jorgensen, one of Australian rugby’s rising stars, ripped a high ball from the hands of Hugo Keenan and raced clear to score. Tom Lynagh pushed his conversion wide.

The Lions, though, responded. Joe McCarthy came close to gathering Russell’s cross-field kick, Jones went close again, Maro Itoje was hauled down near the line, and James Lowe just failed to complete a quick offload with a big numerical advantage to his right.

However, the visitors were relentless and deservedly doubled their try count when Curry further vindicated his selection with a bulldozing score, converted once more by Russell. A 12-point half-time lead was hard to argue with, the Lions ahead on every key metric.

MORE OF THE SAME AFTER HALF-TIME

Wallabies coach Schmidt urged his team to trust their plan at half time, but within 90 seconds of the restart, the Lions had scored their third.

Curry – covering every inch of Suncorp Stadium – made a crucial line-out interception as Australia frantically back-pedalled.

He then delivered a perfectly timed deceptive pass for Dan Sheehan to crash in at the corner, with Russell curling over the conversion from the tightest of angles.

With a 19-point lead and a stacked bench at Farrell’s disposal, the momentum was clearly with the Lions, who had won their previous eight Tests in Brisbane – a record that never looked in much danger of failing to continue.

Injuries had denied Schmidt several likely starters, nearly 150 caps of experience missing, including Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, who he hopes will return for challenges to come.

Discipline and organisation are hallmarks of the Australian coach, and while the match was out of reach, his team showed a glimpse of their potential with a prolonged spell of pressure in the final quarter of the match.

Turning pressure into points was non-negotiable, given the wider narrative of the series, and Schmidt’s replacements were effective in giving his side some positives to take from this experience.

Carlo Tizzano powered over and Ben Donaldson added the extras, Farrell’s frustration clear at the sudden shift in possession.

Marcus Smith’s penalty edged the Lions further ahead, but the strong-finishing Wallabies reduced the deficit to eight points with a Tate McDermott score.

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