Australia 13 Lions 29
The British and Irish Lions put on a superb display of running rugby with four tries to beat world championsAustralia 29-13 in the first test of their three-game series today.
After predictions of a forward battle, the Lions showed their class in their backs with tries from wingers Jason Robinson and Dafydd James for a12-3 halftime lead.
After the interval centre Brian O'Driscoll touched down after an outstanding run before number eight Scott Quinnell crashed over from close rangefor the fourth try after a blistering break by O'Driscoll's centre partner Rob Henderson.
Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson put over three conversions and a penalty to add the other nine points for the tourists.
Australia rallied with tries from winger Andrew Walker and centre Nathan Grey in the 76th and 78th minutes. Walker, who touched down late aftera weaving run through the Lions backs, had put over a first-half penalty.
But the comeback came too late to stop the Lions.
The game saw one of the most outstanding performances from a northern hemisphere team against a southern hemisphere power for some years.
The Lions played flowing rugby and their handling was often sublime. The Wallabies, known for their open, expansive play, rarely looked capable ofmatching the flamboyance of the tourists.
The Lions came out of the traps sprinting for the perfect start to the game.
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 Perrydelivering 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. TheIrishman 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 Wallabycentres 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 Quinnell crashed over for the fourth try after an awesome break by Ireland’s Rob Henderson.Wilkinson again converted to give the Lions an unbelievable 29-3 advantage.
Wallaby replacement Matt Burke touched down for the Wallabies in the right-hand corner in the 60th minute but after consulting with the videoofficial, referee Andre Watson judged that the Wallaby had put his foot in touch.
The Australians lifted their game in the final period with the late tries but it was not to be their day.