The Lions 27; Australia 19
An underwhelming victory in Brisbane but a win nevertheless that means at least the Lions will still be in contention on Saturday week - the last date of the three test series against the Wallabies.
This was a game the Lions dominated and yet they left a door open for Australia with two late tries to feel they can level the series in Melbourne this coming weekend.
From 24-5 ahead early in the second half, Andy Farrell’s side lost their stranglehold on the game, allowing the hosts to dominate the last quarter and gain plenty of positive oxygen for the rest of the series.
That much was stressed by their Head Coach Joe Schmidt, who praised his team’s “character” in not rolling over, adding that the return of forward duo Willie Skelton and Rob Valetini will make the forward contest a much more even affair in the Melbourne Cricket Grounds.
The Irish were to the fore on this occasion with back-rower Tadgh Beirne getting the MVP award after an amazing 80-minutes workrate.
He was closely followed by Jamison Gibson-Park who along with the peerless Scottish outhalf Finn Russell, ran the show from the half-back toll-bridge, totally eclipsing the Aussie No 9 and 10s until both were replaced.
This allowed the Wallabies to bring in a new Tate McDermott- Ben Donaldson axis who upped the tempo and made the home backs look much more potent than the Tom Lynagh hour long show which for a starting debut was at best ordinary.
The Suncorp Stadium was a sea of red for the occasion, almost giving the British and Irish Lions a home game so far away from their bases on the west of Europe.
And from the off, two of Farrell’s most contentious picks, Beirne and Tom Curry, on either side of Jack Conan gave displays which the boss later went out of his way to praise.
Beirne put his side on the front foot with an amazing jackal penalty inside the opening seconds just after Curry had delivered a tackle to set up the ruck. Both complemented each other’s play brilliantly with the England backrower driving into tackles and winning ground ball while the Munster lock worked like a dog to fight for every breakdown and wrestle control for his three-quarters.
Up front Tadhg Furlong played his best game in maybe three seasons with an in-your-face attitude of making a meter or two with every possession while also possessing the skills to fling a 20-metres pass out to his attacking centers.
Dan Sheehan scored a try and threw imperiously into the lineout, yet while playing well, we know there is more there. Joe McCarthy was relishing his work in driving the Aussie backwards with his voracious appetite for hard work and ability to play in the open like a back row player.
Unfortunately he hobbled off injured four minutes into the second half and will find it hard for his foot injury to recover in time for the remaining tests.
While the spotlight in England and elsewhere focused on the achievements of Curry and Beirne, the linchpin of the back row was Conan who made 64 meters and was exemplary in how he dominated the entire Wallaby sector.
Arguably the two Ireland players who may be a bit nervous this week are James Lowe who played ok but whose radar was off with his kicking while Hugo Keenan is still not back to his best after injury and a debilitating illness which saw him lose close to a stone weight.
Bundee Aki came on for Sione Tuipulotu at 12, and showed up well although the Scottish player got an early try and did alright with Huw Jones without ever setting the place alight.
Aki had more penetration with his stint in the centre and with Garry Ringrose fit, and with son Owen Farrell covering both No 10 and 12, Farrell snr is spoilt for choice at centre.
Afterwards Lions head coach went first to his backrow to single them out for special praise. “Tom Curry and Tadgh Beirne were absolutely immense. Curry put in some shots defensively and Tadgh got the turnover very early-doors. It didn't stop there.
“Conan's carrying was very much on the front foot. Those three guys I'm sure they'll be delighted with how they responded to being selected.
“Curry and Beirne are a man of their word and that's what they delivered. And Jack Conan carried so much ball."
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt, stated: “We were pretty desperate tonight. There was enough demonstration that we're already desperate but we got to be more accurate. And maybe hit the ground running, a bit less submissive early on.
“They're gonna get better too, they've got strength in depth, they came with a plan that got the better of us in the first quarter,” he claimed.
Ireland pair Thomas Clarkson and Jamie Osborne have also been called into the squad in the last 10 days and Scot Gregor Brown was the latest to get the call as undercover for McCarthy.
British & Irish Lions: H Keenan 6; T Freeman 6, H Jones 6, S Tuipulotu 7, J Lowe 6; F Russell 8, J Gibson-Park 8; E Genge 7, D Sheehan 7, T Furlong 7; M Itoje (Capt) 6, J McCarthy 7; T Beirne 9, T Curry 9, J Conan 8 Replacements: R Kelleher 6 (for Sheehan, 61), A Porter (for Genge, 48), W Stuart 6 (for Furlong, 57), O Chessum 6 (for McCarthy, 44), B Earl5 (for Curry, 57), A Mitchell 5(for Gibson-Park, 75), M Smith 6(for Russell, 66), B Aki 7 (for Tuipulotu, 57).
SCORERS
British and Irish Lions: Tries: S Tuipulotu, T Curry, D Sheehan Cons F Russell (3) Pens: Russell (1), M Smith (1).
Australia: Tries: M Jorgensen, C Tizzano, T McDermott.
Cons: B Donaldson (2)
