Injuries rout Deans' best laid plans in epic opener
http://twf.com.au/imgcache/1256.png
A dazzling two-try Test debut from Israel Folau failed to save the Wallabies from a nailbiting loss to the British and Irish Lions in front of a record crowd at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
Two missed penalty kicks from Kurtley Beale in the dying minutes of the match - and three in the first half from Beale's teammates - sent the Lions off 23-21 victors and in possession of valuable momentum going into the second of the three-Test series in Melbourne next week.
Despite the errant kicking and the loss of key back-line players Christian Lealiifano, Berrick Barnes and Pat McCabe in the first half, the Wallabies stayed within striking distance of the Lions until the fulltime bell, with Beale's missed kicks nailing the Wallabies once and for all.
Advertisement
Tries to Lions wingers George North and Alex Cuthbert, plus three penalty goals, put the Lions in front for all but the first 10 minutes of the match.
The Wallabies played with intensity with the ball in hand, were defensively desperate and were excellent at set pieces in the second half but the missed points from five-eighth James O'Connor and Beale hobbled Australia's chance to win.
Robbie Deans's best-laid plans were thrown out the window within 45 seconds of kick-off when debutant inside centre Christian Lealiifano was knocked out by his opposite number Jonathan Davies.
Berrick Barnes would be taken out of the match by the end of the half, leaving the Wallabies short two crucial playmakers for most of the game. The fullback will require scans on his jaw, while Lealiifano will be monitored in coming days.
Wallabies let six points go begging in the first 10 minutes, O'Connor botching his first two attempts at goal on a rare off night with the boot.
But a superb call from halfback Will Genia to tap and go deep in Wallabies territory sent superstar debutant Israel Folau over for Australia's first try in the 13th minute.
O'Connor converted to give the Wallabies a 7-0 lead before fullback Leigh Halfpenny put the tourists on the scoreboard in the 25th minute.
Next the Lions stretched and yawned, firing up their attacking engine with a brilliant piece of counter-attack, towering winger George North running the ball 60 metres for his first try after McCabe and Barnes both fell of their tackles.
Halfpenny converted to make it 10-7 and nailed a penalty five minutes later to extend the Lions' lead to six points. A second barnstorming run from North looked to have the Lions in the money for their second try of the match but for the Welsh flyer's elbow touching the sideline paint after a desperate but crucial tackle from Folau in the corner.
The dual international's individual brilliance kept the Wallabies in touch, Folau stepping inside Lions five-eight Jonathan Sexton and fending prop Alex Corbisiero to score his second Test rugby try in the 34th minute. But O'Connor's radar was not on, missing the conversion to keep the home side trailing 13-12 with five minutes to go in the half.
As Lealiifano appeared on the sideline, Barnes was taken out by friendly fire, paving the way for Kurtley Beale to make his return to Test rugby after battling alcohol-related issues.
The Wallabies took another hit early in the second half, losing McCabe to what appeared to be a neck injury. With replacement halfback Nick Phipps the only back line player left on the bench, the Wallabies moved Michael Hooper to the midfield and Liam Gill came into the back row.
Lions winger Alex Cuthbert beat three defenders to score off a setpiece, putting the tourists eight points in front in the 49th minute.
O'Connor tweaked his radar to nail a penalty minutes later, keeping Australia within a try of the Lions as Warren Gatland injected the first of his wrecking ball forwards to up the heat on the Wallabies.
The Wallabies drew the Lions into a two-point lead thanks to a 45-metre penalty goal from Beale. But Halfpenny hit back, putting the Lions in front 23-18.
A storming run by the returning Wallabies fullback gave the home side a red hot crack at equalising but they were forced to settle for a shot at goal. Beale nailed it to make it 23-21.
A scrummaging performance fit for the history books saved a certain, match-ending try to the Lions and put the Wallabies back on the attack but Beale missed his next two chances, sealing Australia's fate in the dying seconds.
LIONS 23 (Alex Cuthbert, George North tries Leigh Halfpenny 2 cons 3 pens) bt AUSTRALIA 21 (Israel Folau 2 tries James O’Connor con Kurtley Beale 2, O’Connor pens) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Chris Pollock. Crowd: 52,499.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union...#ixzz2Wx34c0K0
