A crimson military walked via Queen Road Mall on its method to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night time. They have been joined by the British and Irish Lions, who continued their march on the sphere as they ate up the Wallabies to move to Melbourne with a one-nil collection lead following their 27-19 win.
The Lions’ win was arrange by Finn Russell, who pulled the strings superbly behind a surging ahead pack that dominated the Wallabies in each aspect of the sport.
It left Joe Schmidt white and glum within the face as Australian rugby’s worst fears got here to life.
With the Wallabies down on troops and down on time, the boys in gold have been devoured up by the Lions who flexed their muscle tissue and infrequently seemed in bother.
How may they? With heavy-hitters Rob Valetini and Will Skelton within the stands, the Wallabies couldn’t recover from the achieve line because the crimson wall held agency off the again of some ferocious defence by Tom Curry – the English back-rower, who fended away Jac Morgan for the No.7 jersey after which tore into the house aspect.
Sione Tuipulotu celebrates after scoring the British & Irish Lions’ opening strive towards the Wallabies throughout their first-up win at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. (Photograph By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile by way of Getty Photographs)
In stark distinction, the Lions pounded away on the Wallabies within the first as prop Tadhg Furlong and centre Sione Tuipulotu helped the vacationers open up a 17-5 half-time lead.
Needing to strike first within the second half, it took the Lions lower than a minute to choose off one other lineout and moments later hooker Dan Sheehan confirmed his athleticism by touching down out vast to open up a 19 level lead.
Whereas the Wallabies refused to go away and hit again via Carlo Tizzano within the 68th minute, any hope of a late victory was emphatically ended quickly after because the Lions made Andrew Kellaway pay for a knock on deep in his territory as Marcus Smith banged over a settling three factors in entrance of his travelling military.
Some typical brilliance from alternative Tate McDermott across the ruck then ensured the Wallabies left with some credibility after profitable the second half. However as at all times, there are two halves in rugby and Schmidt’s males left themselves an excessive amount of work.
“We’re delighted with the win,” Lions skipper Maro Itoje stated. “It was a troublesome Check match.”
Max Jorgensen was one of many Wallabies’ greatest towards the Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Brisbane. (Photograph by Cameron Spencer/Getty Photographs)
Wilson, who shouldered a lot of the ball-carrying work within the absence of Skelton and Valetini, was naturally a pissed off man after main out his aspect in entrance of 52,229 followers.
“It’s clearly disappointing,” the No.8 stated. “We got here right here desirous to win, however the Lions have been good and credit score to them.
“They received a couple of huge moments and it’s one thing we wish to do and we’ll have to do this subsequent week.”
The defeat was the third straight collection opening defeat for the Wallabies since 2001, having misplaced on the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium in 2013. It leaves Schmidt’s males needing to repeat the feat achieved by the final two Wallabies coaches Rod Macqueen and Robbie Deans of beating the Lions within the second Check subsequent week to maintain the collection alive.
“Nothing modifications,” Wilson stated. “On this collection you’ve received to win two matches and that’s what we’re making an attempt to do.”
The Wallabies have been hardly embarrassed, however they have been definitely overpowered. They are going to hope that Valetini and Skelton return subsequent week to offer some extra edge and energy.
However there have been some positives, with winger Max Jorgensen distinctive and openside flanker Fraser McReight.
The Wallabies’ bench, led by McDermott, additionally gave the house aspect a constructive injection.
Flyhalf Tom Lynagh, who made his beginning debut within the Check after three appearances off the bench in 2024, was composed and had one good run early. However the 22-year-old was additionally run excessive in defence as soon as and couldn’t fairly flip the momentum behind a well-beaten ahead pack.
