Lions Tour: Tourists 1-0 up after brilliant opening hour in Brisbane

Lions look back

The British & Irish Lions have been cut to just 1-14 to win their series in Australia after their 27-19 first Test success in Brisbane.

Slow starts have plagued Andy Farrell's tourists but Sione Tuipulotu's converted score meant they were 10-0 up after nine minutes before having a Huw Jones try ruled out soon after.

Max Jorgensen got the Wallabies on the board on the half hour, running in after beating Hugo Keenan in the air before Tom Curry's try sent the Lions in 17-5 ahead at the break.

They were at it again post-interval, with Dan Sheehan scoring early, but Australia grew into the game and finished the stronger of the two sides.

Centre Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i had a try cancelled out but replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott crossed to give the hosts something to build on heading into Saturday's second Test in Melbourne.

With only one warm-up match under their belts, the Wallabies looked rusty but their strong bench excelled and Joe Schmidt will be encouraged about his team's chances of levelling the series, especially with Will Skelton and Rob Valetini potentially fit enough to feature.

The Lions were excellent for the opening hour but the Wallabies dug in and are 10-3 to level the series and 8-1 to win it.

Andy Farrell's tourists next face a First Nations & Pasifika XV at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday but the real focus is on next weekend's rematch across town in front of a record crowd at the MCG.

Talking points against Australia

Carlo Tizzano was one of the two Australian replacements to score a tryCredit: AFP via Getty Images

The Lions reversed the trend of the tour, winning a penalty from the first breakdown to go ahead through Finn Russell's boot and the Scot belied any doubts about his goal kicking by slotting four from as many attempts.

However, the team lost control after the fly-half's withdrawal and replacement Marcus Smith had little chance to shape the game with his forwards struggling against a renewed Australia pack led by Angus Bell and Carlo Tizzano.

Australia could be be boosted by the returns of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini to aid their carrying efforts and after looking rusty in the first hour, Joe Schmidt admitted he was delighted with the spirit his team showed and will be happy to play the underdog card ahead of their attempt to level the series in front of 100,000 people at the MCG.

Standout performer

Finn Russell shone for the British & Irish Lions in BrisbaneCredit: Getty Images

Andy Farrell's decision to select Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry as his flankers dominated the pre-match debate but both excelled in Brisbane. Curry scored a try and provided an assist for Dan Sheehan, while Beirne's work on both sides of the ball earned him the Player of the Match award.

Fly-half Finn Russell's control was the difference, though, moving his forwards around the park and choosing when to play.

His pass to Sione Tuipulotu for the Lions' opening try was a marvellous piece of skill and his influence will again be crucial when they go looking for an unassailable 2-0 lead in Melbourne.

What's next?

The Lions now head to Melbourne for a double-header. On Tuesday, they face a First Nations & Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium in their final midweek match of the tour, before travelling across town to the MCG for Saturday's second Test.

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2025 British & Irish Lions Tour schedule

The British & Irish Lions play ten matches this summer and after beginning their schedule with a 28-24 defeat to Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Andy Farrell's side have scored a half-century of points in wins over the Western Force and Queensland Reds since arriving in Australia.

After a disappointing performance against the Waratahs, albeit winning 21-10, the 36-24 victory over the Brumbies posed more questions but some of those were answered when they beat Invitational AU & NZ 48-0.

Farrell's tourists then put it together in the opening hour of the first Test, running out the 27-19 victors in Brisbane but will be wary after the Wallabies strong final quarter at Suncorp Stadium.

Here is the full itinerary:

Odds correct at time of publication.

2025 British & Irish Lions squad in full

Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Tom Clarkson, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Andrew Porter, Rory Sutherland, James Ryan, Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, Jamison Gibson-Park, Darcy Graham, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Alex Mitchell, Jamie Osborne, Garry Ringrose, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.

Read Jack Ogalbe's thoughts on the Lions squad

Where can I watch the 2025 Lions tour?

The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia is being shown live on Sky Sports.

Who is the captain of the Lions?

England forward Maro Itoje was named as the captain of the British & Irish Lions at May's squad announcement at the O2 in London. He is the first English captain of the Lions since Martin Johnson led them on the 2001 tour down under and only the third in 89 years.

Who is the Lions' head coach?

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was appointed as leader of the British & Irish Lions in 2024. Farrell, who enjoyed a stellar career in rugby league with Wigan, is currently the head coach of Ireland, whom he has guided to two Six Nations titles. 

What is the betting for the 2025 Lions Tour?

Here are the latest odds for the British & Irish Lions' three-match Test series against Australia's Wallabies.

Odds correct at 11am on Thursday, June 26. Subject to change.

Read more ...

Australia vs British & Irish Lions Test series predictions, betting tips and odds: Expect a fierce battle for series supremacy 

Jack Ogalbe: Ignore the Lions naysayers and strap in for an amazing summer 

Graham Woods: Instinct and experience key for Lions punters 

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