British and Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds live: Result and reaction after Lions flex muscles to thrash hosts in Brisbane
Reds 12-52 British and Irish Lions: An injury to Elliot Daly took some of the shine off another big win for the tourists
The British and Irish Lions overcame a sloppy start to flex their muscles as they thrashed the Queensland Reds 54-12 in Brisbane.
The Lions bounced back from defeat to Argentina in their tour curtain-raiser by beating the Western Force in Perth in their opening match on Australian soil, and very nearly matched their tally at Suncorp Stadium. They did not, however, have things all their own way as the Reds began with real physicality, surging twice into an advantage in a first half in which the errors came a little too regularly for the tourists.
Andy Farrell will, though, be much more pleased with the second half showing as his side pulled away with 31 unanswered points, with Finn Russell and Fin Smith both tidy at 10 and the attacking game starting to click. A worry, though, will be an injury for Elliot Daly, who had heavy strapping and ice on his forearm after leaving the field in clear discomfort late on.
Follow all of the latest from Brisbane with our live blog below:
Maro Itoje stamps authority on Lions in Reds thrashing - but another sloppy start will concern Andy Farrell
Andy Farrell provides update on Elliot Daly after Lions suffer injury scare in Reds win
When do the British and Irish Lions play Australia? Full tour schedule, kick-off times and how to watch on TV
Maro Itoje stamps authority on Lions in Reds thrashing - but another sloppy start will concern Andy Farrell
Maro Itoje stamped his authority on the British and Irish Lions with a commanding display as the Queensland Reds were overwhelmed 52-12 at Suncorp Stadium.
Making his first appearance in Australia as Lions captain, Itoje was at the heart of an eight-try rout that saw the England skipper leave his calling card on Brisbane two-and-a-half weeks out from the first Test at the same venue.
Elliot Daly, Bundee Aki and man of the match Jac Morgan also impressed, while another pleasing development was the promise shown by first-choice half-back partnership Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell.
Itoje stamps authority on Lions in Reds thrashing - but sloppy start concerning
Andy Farrell speaks to Sky Sports
“It was a bit of everything. I don’t think it was flowing from us, it was a little stop-start at times, but when we are on I thought we played some really good stuff. It was a bit of a slow start. The Reds came out of the blocks really aggressively and dominated the first 10-15 minutes, but that’s good for us, and we settled down pretty well and played some good stuff. When the game was won, the continuity of our game wasn’t quite what we wanted it to be.
“This is where we are at now with the tour, the games are coming thick and fast and we are using those games to fast-track ourselves to the place we want to be. There are constant learnings there.
[On Elliot Daly] “He’s pretty sore in there. We’ll get him an X-ray. It looks like he’s took a knock to his forearm, so fingers crossed for him.”
“Some lads today were desperate for another crack to get out there today. May the competition continue. We’ll enjoy the win, celebrate that, and then we’ve got a three-day turnaround. That’s Lions tours for you, it’s brilliant, isn’t it?”
FT: Lions 52-12 Reds
We await further news on Elliot Daly, though he was unlikely to feature on Saturday after being called in late for this game. Andy Farrell does have a decision to make regardless: Blair Kinghorn was surely pencilled in to start at full-back against the Waratahs having finally joined up with the squad, but Hugo Keenan is also still yet to feature after falling ill today to be denied a Lions debut. Could we see the Scot on the wing with Keenan in the 15 shirt in Sydney?
And here's Lions skipper Maro Itoje
“We’re happy, it was a good all-round performance,” the lock says to Sky Sports. “The first half was a bit tough, heavily contest, back-and-forth for the first 25 or 30 minutes. But we stayed consistent and were generally better.
“It’s probably a bit of a blessing in disguise that we have so many games in quick succession. ‘Just be better,’ was the message today. For Saturday, we need to be better rugby players, sharper, more accurate. We just need to be better.
“I’m loving being a part of the team. I’m enjoying the challenge, spending time with all these great players after years spent battling. Long may it continue.”
Lions flanker Jac Morgan speaks to Sky Sports
“It was a good game. It was very physical with the way the Reds started in the first half and the intent they brought in the collisions. It was a tough match and good to get the win.
“I enjoyed it, but it was a full team performance. We spoke about how it would take a full 80 minutes and we stuck in it and kept on building during the game.
“We’ve got to keep on building now. We’ll look ahead to Sydney and learn from things.”
FT: Lions 52-12 Reds
Another half-century, then, for the Lions, overcoming that really worrying opening quarter to pull away. The pace, physicality and intensity with which they played in the second half was very impressive and, perhaps, to be expected of a side with such depth, but 31 unanswered points will be very pleasing after a few early clunks and stutters.
Of concern? 14 handling errors, even amidst the clear ambition with which they want to play, and that injury to Elliot Daly, whose forearm remains wrapped in ice.
TRY! LIONS 52-12 Reds (Garry Ringrose, 85 minutes)
Garry Ringrose finishes the job!
The Lions’ scrum draws advantage and that affords Fin Smith the chance to unfurl something more expansive, a wide ball finding the centre-cum-wing with chalk on his boots and Ringrose in untouched. Smith can’t convert, meaning the Lions fall two short of their tally against the Force, but after a shaky start that was a fine second half performance.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 83 minutes
Another penalty, this time for a deliberate knock-on from Tim Ryan. Nothing more, referee James Doleman says, with sufficient cover beyond the Reds wing to prevent a yellow card or penalty try.
Maro Itoje requests a scrum.
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