Lions Dominate Early, Seal Opener

Wallabies bench injects energy, but their comeback falls short against solid defence

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BRISBANE - The British and Irish Lions rode a rampant first-half display to a 27-19 victory over Australia in the first rugby Test on July 19, running in three tries in the first 41 minutes and holding off a late Wallabies fightback for a comfortable victory.

Superior in all facets of the game in the first hour, the Lions scored tries through Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Curry and Dan Sheehan while Finn Russell added nine points from the kicking tee.

Max Jorgensen crossed in the first half for the Wallabies, and they improved when they cleared the bench in the second half but tries from replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott were too little, too late.

"We're delighted with the win. The game was a tough Test match," said Lions captain Maro Itoje. "I thought we started well in the first half. We played a lot of good stuff.

"Then the second half was a bit to and fro from both sides. I think that's a good position for us to be in."

The Wallabies, rank underdogs, made a nervous start amid a cacophony of noise from the 52,229 crowd, and Russell gave the tourists an early lead with a penalty inside the first couple of minutes.