Lions one win from ending wait – 5 things we learned from first Test
Here, the PA news agency examines five things learned from the first Test.
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell in Brisbane (David Davies/PA)
Now finish the job
The sense of anticlimax at the final whistle contrasted starkly with the pre-match buzz around Suncorp Stadium. A gulf in class between the rivals had been exposed during the 42 minutes it took the Lions to canter out of sight and now anything other than an emphatic series whitewash will be seen as failure.
Andy Farrell's men were able to butcher a host of chances and take their foot off the gas after Dan Sheehan crossed early in the second half, yet still be streets ahead. A long couple of weeks awaits the Wallabies.
Huw Jones dive over to score a try that was ruled out (David Davies/PA)
Test match animal
The term coined by Sir Ian McGeechan to describe a special breed of player who rises to the occasion on the biggest stage was typified by Tom Curry, the full-throttle England flanker who terrorised Australia in contact and at the breakdown.
Described as a 'machine' by Andy Farrell, Curry shrugged off his indifferent form in previous tour matches to set the physical tone from the moment he pulverised James Slipper in the opening seconds.
Just a fraction behind him were Tadhg Beirne and Tadhg Furlong, who also fully justified why they were picked on reputation.
Russell shines
For periods of the first half, Finn Russell cast a spell on the home defence. His range of passing released team-mates, created openings and set-up tries to leave former Lions fly-halves Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara purring in the commentary box.
If Australia had a plan to take him out of the game, it clearly did not work as the Scotland ringmaster cut loose behind a dominant pack.
Fresh from steering Bath to the treble, Russell is operating at the peak of his powers and, on current form, is the best 10 in the game.
Marcus Smith kicks a penalty (David Davies/PA)
Farrell's wing woes
Apart from the failure to crush the Wallabies, thereby breaking their spirits heading into the second Test, Farrell will be most concerned about his wings.
James Lowe continued the dismal form he has shown all tour while Tommy Freeman made too many wrong decisions game and both would be fretting over keeping their places if there were strong alternatives.
However, Mack Hansen is struggling with a foot injury and Duhan van Merwe's defensive shortcomings have been exposed repeatedly ever since the curtain raiser against Argentina.
Blair Kinghorn was seen as the first-choice full-back but with Hugo Keenan proving solid enough in the first Test, the Scot could be picked on the wing if he recovers from his knee injury.
Lions captain Maro Itoje is tackled by Australia's Harry Wilson (David Davies/PA)
Skelton and Valetini
The return of powerful forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini cannot come soon enough for Australia. Having missed the first Test with calf injuries, they have been given the all-clear for the attempt to level the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Skelton's sheer physical presence will prevent the Wallabies from being bullied in quite the same way, while Valetini provides a destructive carrying option.
It is upon their availability and the fight shown in the final 30 minutes at Suncorp Stadium that Australia's hopes rest.
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Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Test places up for grabs as Lions face First Nations and Pasifika XV
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The First Nations and Pasifika XV is the first team of its kind and celebrates Australia's First Nations peoples, of Samoan, Fijian, Tongan, Maori and Cook Island heritage, and so they'll hardly lack motivation either. Taniela Tupou (centre) is tackled by Kalani Thomas during a training session on Monday for the First Nations and Pasifika XV before their game against the Lions. Photograph: William West/AFP via Getty Images Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu, who start at tighthead prop and left wing respectively after joining the squad on Thursday night from the Wallabies, are prime cases in point. The team will be captained from outhalf by former Wallaby Kurtley Beale, who has won 95 caps during his Test career. Beale (36) has recovered from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Western Force's game against the Lions in June. There are others who have featured against the Lions already, but quite possibly none of them will ever do so again. 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'I think it's great that we get a chance to play in a brilliant stadium before we go to the MCG, we get the chance to play against the First Nations/Pasifika team, who will be very different to maybe what we've played against so far. 'It's exciting. We want to play, and the players want to play as many games as they can to put their hand up and wear a Lions jersey. 'I don't think that doesn't go without the responsibility and expectation that they have on each other. Certainly, it's an exciting opportunity for those who are involved.' FIRST NATIONS AND PASIFIKA XV: Andy Muirhead (First Nations); Triston Reilly (First Nations), Lalakai Foketi (Maori & Tonga), David Feliuai (Samoa), Filipo Daugunu (Fiji); Kurtley Beale (First Nations, capt), Kalani Thomas (Maori); Lington Ieli (Fiji), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa), Taniela Tupou (Tonga); Darcy Swain (Samoa), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa); Seru Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa). 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The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
British former undisputed world champion announces shock retirement aged 34 only two months after last fight
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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
No doubts for Owen Farrell after late call to Lions tour
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