Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane hosted a big crowd for a midweek game on rugby. Photo courtesy of ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
For a brief time, Qld rugby fans dared to hope as the Reds led the British & Irish Lions 7-0 very early in Wednesday night’s game in Brisbane.
Then the Lions stepped up a gear to run away with a 52-12 win in front of a 46,345 crowd.
Lions captain Maro Itoje wasn’t satisfied by their performance afterwards but said it was a step in the right direction.
“I think we were a little more clinical and accurate over the ball than last week, and while we still made a few errors, it was better in that regard,” he told journalists.
“We have five games in two weeks so there’s not much time on the training paddock but loads of games so you improve and learn more in them than in games. It’s a blessing in disguise.”
Reds captain Jock Campbell said they used the wind well in the first half against a better team.
“I thought their (Lions) instructions in attack were very good. Obviously once they got in the game their defence took a step up and we struggled to get quick ball and our game broke down,” he said.
MATCH REPORT
The Reds took the lead thanks to an early try by re-signed NZ-Samoa Test prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen.
The Lions attacked relentlessly and winger Tommy Freeman scored in the corner for the conversion to level the score. 7-7.
A grubber from the Reds’ Kalani Thomas set up Josh Flook for a try as the Reds took the lead again.
Irish prop Andrew Porter then put the Lions in front three minutes later with a try after the team turned down a penalty shot for a five metre quick tap.
Scot Duhan van der Merwe extended the lead with a try in the corner before half-time for a 21-12 lead then after the break, Lions and Irish halfback Jamison Gibson-Park created a half break for Itoje to touch down.
Flanker Jac Morgan then added a try for the visitors followed by Freeman’s second and centre Huw Jones intercepted a kick to run away for the Lions’ seventh try.
The final try was scored by Garry Ringrose after fulltime.
The Lions will be sweating on the fitness of England fullback Elliot Daly (forearm) and the outcome of hospital tests on his injury.
OFF THE FIELD
The Lions lost Welsh scrum-half Tomos Williams (hamstring) after their 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
The team have had to call in Ben White from Scotland, who are in New Zealand to play the Maori All Blacks this Saturday.
The Lions’ next tour game is against NSW in Sydney this Saturday.
