Lions score empahatic win in opening test against Wallabies

BRISBANE - An inspired display of running rugby steered the British and Irish Lions to an emphatic 29-13 victory over world champions Australia in the first game of their three-test series at the Gabba last night.

After predictions of a forward battle, the Lions shook off their indifferent form in their lead-up matches to destroy the Wallabies with four tries to two in an awesome display of attacking rugby.

Wingers Jason Robinson and Dafyyd James scored in the first half to give the tourists a 12-3 lead at the break before Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll and Welsh number eight Scott Quinnell scored in the second half to seal a famous win.

First five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson put over three conversions and a penalty to add the other nine points for the tourists.

The Wallabies responded with late tries by wing Andrew Walker and centre Nathan Grey but blew at least three more chances in an uncharacteristically poor display. Walker also kicked a first-half penalty.

The world champions settled down in the final 20 minutes and the Lions had to defend grimly and were content to give away a host of penalties to prevent the Wallabies from scoring.

But overall the Lions produced one of the most outstanding performances from a northern hemisphere team against a southern hemisphere power in their own back yard for some years.

The Wallabies, who won the 1999 World Cup in Britain, went into the game with only one warm-up game against New Zealand Maori under their belt and their lack of match practice showed.

They missed a host of one-on-one tackles and they were unusually disorganised in attack until the match was out of reach.

Lions coach Graham Henry, however, was quick to warn the tourists not to get carried away with the result before the next two tests on July 7 and 14.

"It was marvellous, we played some good rugby, broke their line and scored some good tries," said the New Zealander.

"But we've got to keep our feet on the ground. They won't play off the ball so much next time, some of them haven't played for a while and they will be much better next week.

"It was important to win the first test but let's not underestimate this Australia side."

The Lions went into the match as underdogs after their outstanding early tour form had started to slip.

But they surprised the Australians by running the ball wide from the outset, punching holes through the Wallaby midfield then defending strongly when not in possession.

Robinson scored near the left-hand corner in the third minute after the Lions moved the ball through the backs at speed with fullback Matt Perry delivering a crisp final pass to the former rugby league international to score.

Wilkinson missed the conversion. The Australians narrowed the tourists' lead to 5-3 with a penalty from Walker in the 21st minute.

But the Lions took control again at the end of the half when James went over in the right-hand corner after a blistering break from O'Driscoll. The Irishman slipped the ball on to Robinson and the winger delivered the final pass to James.

Wilkinson put over the conversion from wide on right for the 12-3 lead at the break.

The Lions began the second half like the first. In the first minute O'Driscoll set off on a run from 40 metres out, breaking through the Wallaby centres and side-stepping inside to score underneath the posts.

Wilkinson converted and added another 35-minute penalty to put the tourists 22-3 ahead after 46 minutes.

Five minutes later after Quinnell had crashed over for the fourth try, the England first-five converted to give the Lions a 29-3 lead.

Wallaby replacement Matt Burke touched down for the Wallabies in the right-hand corner in the 60th minute but after consulting with the video official, referee Andre Watson judged that the Wallaby had put his foot in touch.

South African referee Andre Watson lost his patience with the Lions late in the game and sent both flanker Martin Corry and prop Phil Vickery to the sin-bin for professional fouls in the second half.

The Australians lifted their game in that final period with the late tries but it was not to be their day.

Lions 29 (J Robinson, D James, B O'Driscoll, S Quinnell tries; J Wilkinson 3 con, pen)

Australia 13 (A Walker, N Grey tries; Walker pen)

Halftime: 3-12.

- REUTERS