Lions give notice that balance of power is moving

Lions 29 Wallabies 13

BRISBANE - The Lions struck a huge blow for Northern Hemisphere rugby when they outclassed world champions Australia in their own back yard with a master class in slick running and handling.

The European nations have often had to play second fiddle in the last two decades to the Southern Hemisphere powers, who have dominated World Cups with a skilful brand of fast, open rugby.

But the Lions handed the 1999 World Cup winners an emphatic defeat in the first test in Brisbane which included four tries packed with the perfect ingredients of classy back play, pace and precise passing, and a few sidesteps and swerves for frills.

The Lions notched up an historic series defeat of the then world champions South Africa on their last tour in 1997.

But they rarely showed the flamboyance of Saturday night's tries from wingers Jason Robinson and Dafydd James, and centre Brian O'Driscoll.

The fourth try, by No 8 Scott Quinnell, was also set up by a classy break from Irish second five-eighths Rob Henderson.

After a European season when England, once known for dogged forward play, also beat Australia at Twickenham and impressed experts with their expansive 15-man game, Saturday's match proved that the gap between the hemispheres is narrowing fast.

Michael Lynagh, who inspired Australia to their World Cup triumph in Britain in 1991, said he could not remember seeing a Wallabies side so outplayed.

"There was no area in the game where the Lions did not dominate," he said. "It was just a wonderful victory for them."

England coach Clive Woodward, working on the tour as a television pundit, added: "What pleased me most was the pace of the Lions. The Australians will be absolutely stunned."

The finest set of backs to pull on Lions jerseys made up the 1971 squad who beat New Zealand - legends such as J. P. R. Williams, Gerald Davies, John Dawes, Mike Gibson, Gareth Edwards and David Duckham.

But 30 years on, the Lions have backs who are just as exciting with the ball in their hands in a professional era when finding space on a rugby field is harder because of law changes and improved fitness and defensive techniques.

Robinson, who switched from rugby league to union during the last European season, is turning into one of the most devastating runners in the international game. The winger can make fast men look pedestrian with his rapid acceleration.

After just three minutes, Robinson put the Lions ahead with a try near the left-hand corner after the tourists moved the ball through their backs at speed.

Robinson then set up the second try for James in the first half with a well-timed pass following a blistering break from Irishman O'Driscoll, who has proved himself the most dynamic runner in European rugby in the past two seasons by taking the ball at speed and cutting through defences.

He was deprived of a great deal of international action during the European season because Ireland's Six Nations campaign was cut short by Britain's foot-and-mouth crisis.

On Saturday, though, he proved his quality on the world stage. Just seconds after the interval, he ran in a brilliant try from 40m out, breaking through the middle and sidestepping inside the Wallabies' cover defence to score underneath the crossbar.

The Lions led 12-3 at halftime.

The match degenerated midway through the second half as the Lions continually infringed, eventually forcing South African referee Andre Watson to lose patience.

He sent back-rower Martin Corry to the sinbin in the 61st minute and Australia cashed in with tries to Andrew Walker in the 66th minute and Nathan Grey three minutes later.

Lions tighthead prop Phil Vickery also felt the wrath of Watson in the 74th minute when he was sinbinned, but the match was already well in the tourists' keeping.

Australia say they face the toughest challenge of their careers to rescue the three-match test series in the remaining tests this Saturday and on July 14.

"We just weren't up to the challenge but there's a lot of lessons we can learn from this," Wallabies captain John Eales said.

Lions coach Graham Henry said: "We've got to keep our feet on the ground. It was important to win the first test, but let's not underestimate this Australia side."

However, if they produce the same kind of attacking rugby to win the series, the class of 2001 will go down as some of the most exciting players to pull on the red jersey for the Lions, whose history stretches back to the 19th century.

- REUTERS