The Lions claimed victory in Brisbane again despite a late push from the Wallabies, who touched down in the dying embers of the match.
Their efforts came just too late with the score finishing 27-19 to the tourists and the Wallabies will now have a lot of work to do ahead of the second Test.
Here, Mail Sport’s Chris Foy rates the performances of the Lions at the Suncorp Stadium.
Hugo Keenan – 6
There was one avoidable spill in the first half and he was dispossessed to gift the Wallabies their first try. Couldn’t really cut loose with the ball from deep.
Tommy Freeman – 6.5
Some good moments from the England wing when he used his power in contact to good effect, but he was not as smooth and assured as he can be.
Huw Jones – 8
Was harshly denied a try when he was adjudged to have been held on the ground but the subtlety of his running lines and footwork caused so many problems.
Huw Jones caused Australia plenty of problems as the Lions claimed victory in Brisbane
Sione Tuipulotu – 8
One of those players who have gradually built momentum in recent weeks and he proved his Test worth here with a try, gainline impact and canny passing.
James Lowe – 4
A loose early kick which went dead betrayed the fact that he is either off form or was overcome with nerves. Struggled to impose himself, as he has all tour.
Finn Russell – 8
When the Lions had their tails up in the first half, the No 10 was supreme and sublime. The visitors’ first try was a showcase of his creative brilliance. Genius.
Jamison Gibson-Park – 5.5
Made a sloppy, hesitant start and at no stage did he fully recover. At his best, he is such a high-tempo dynamo, but this wasn’t one of those matches.
Ellis Genge – 7.5
Thunderous early carries showed that the England prop was fizzing with aggressive intent and he maintained that front-foot tone throughout a fine performance. 7.5
Dan Sheehan – 7
Such a familiar sight to see the ultra-mobile hooker touching down by a corner flag. As ever, he was effective in the wide channels and lineout service was good.
Tadhg Furlong – A couple of times there were glimpses of his rumbling prime and he took some stopping, plus he showed some slick handling but couldn’t inspire scrum dominance.
Maro Itoje (capt) – 6
A reliable lineout outlet but this wasn’t one of those big occasions when he is just the imperious ringmaster. Lots of effort but some errors and indiscipline.
Joe McCarthy – 7
The imposing enforcer made a stack of tackles in the opening minutes to lead the defensive onslaught. Tough, prominent and nearly scored a try but off early.
Tadhg Beirne – 7
After being hit and miss in the tour games, he demonstrated his jackal threat from the off. He was picked to add to the Lions’ breakdown presence and did that.
Tom Curry – 8.5
Andy Farrell backed him to rise to the grand occasion and he delivered. The renowned hit-man dominated so many collisions and was an effective link man in attack.
Jack Conan – 6.5
Hardly a rampaging talisman of the ball-carrying effort but the No 8 came to the fore late on. When he did make a break, his off-load was off target, but kept going.
Replacements
O Chessum for McCarthy, 42 – Couldn’t add clout as he had in Canberra. 5.5.
A Porter for Genge, 48 – Penalised soon after coming on as tide turned. 5.
B Aki for Tuipulotu, 57 – Brought a hint of go-forward to restore order. 6.
W Stuart for Furlong, 57 – Showed up a lot as a carrier in his last-quarter shift. 6.
B Earl for Curry, 57 – Made a couple of charges after no-arms tackle reprieve. 6.
R Kelleher for Sheehan, 60. M Smith for Russell, 66. A Mitchell for Gibson-Park, 74.
