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Sun 9 Jun 2013 | 06:19
Lions fight off strong challenge from the Reds to claim third tour win

7
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The British and Irish Lions faced their toughest challenge of the tour to date as the Queensland Reds threatened to upset the tourists in Brisbane on Saturday. The tempo changed in the second half however, and the Lions came away 22-12 winners.

Winger Luke Morahan was the star of the opening period, making an incredible try-saving tackle and scoring an even better try, as he glided through the Lions defence with ease.

It was the most exciting first half of the tour, as both sides made line breaks and came close to scoring great tries on more than one occasion. Unfortunately the rain picked up in the second half, which seemed to change the tempo of the match, and suit the visitors.

"The only way we could get an edge over them was by running them around and doing what we do best which is running teams off their feet and I'm very proud of the boys tonight," said captain of the Reds on the night, flyhalf Quade Cooper.

"We don't have the biggest pack or the biggest backs but we know what we're good at and we try to do that to the best of our ability and we got very close there."

The Reds scored two tries to one, but Owen Farrell's goal-kicking proved the difference.

"Pretty happy with that one. I thought we showed great character," said Warren Gatland.

"They threw everything at us in the first 20 but we toughed it out. They just kept working hard. A couple of decisions didn't go our way but the boys stuck at it."

It was their third consecutive win but they've picked up another serious injury, as Tommy Bowe broke a bone in his hand. He has already had surgery and will continue to be assesed, but Ireland winger Simon Zebo has been flown over, from Texas, to provide cover.

Front rowers Cian Healy and Gethin Jenkins will both be flying home after they suffered from ankle and calf injuries respectively. Alex Corbisiero and Ryan Grant were called up as cover.

Quick highlights recap below, and you can view extended highlights from the game here

Extended highlights of the Queensland Reds vs the British and Irish Lions from Brisbane

Time: 12:08
Credit: ttrugbyvids

Posted By: Grant Constable

7 Comments

  • owen
    4:34 PM 10/06/2013

    Did you not see Dan Lydiate chopping everything on the park as well? The man was like a machine going through players out there, although Warbs and Faletau were average, atm I fancy Lydiate, Tipuric and probably Heaslip as my starting back row

  • danknapp
    9:17 AM 10/06/2013

    Loved the 'try' that Warburton almost scored. North looked quality. Great work from Warburton to stay with him and he was unlucky not to score, but great Reds defence. I also thought the first try of the game was a beauty, great score. Hope that guy remembers that for many, many years to come.

  • reality
    11:46 PM 09/06/2013

    I don't know how I feel about forwards who stay on the wings. I remember Marcus Horan used to do the same for Munster. He'd very often end up on the wing and got an inordinate amount of tries for a prop as a result. It looks impressive and like the player is getting his hands on the ball and doing lots of work, but if you think about it, it means that there's some little winger infield having to do all the dirty work and trying to protect rucks against people twice his size. I'd rather the forward did that and left the running and try-scoring to the backs.

  • themull
    7:48 PM 09/06/2013

    Maybe not Croft but O' Brien and Heaslip certainly..but then again at least Croft managed to get on the ball a bit and get some decent runs in...

  • welshosprey
    7:31 PM 09/06/2013

    LOL Croft! You mean that guy who stood on the wing all match?

  • reality
    6:55 PM 09/06/2013

    Apparently Bowe could be back in two weeks, so for the second and third tests. We can only hope. I think the front row has been seriously weakened with the loss of Healy, and Bowe is another player where there's nobody else that can seamlessly fill his position on the tour, in my opinion. Zebo is all right but he's no Bowe, same goes for Maitland, and I think Cuthbert is good running in a straight line but doesn't offer much more than that. Get well soon Tommy!

  • themull
    5:56 PM 09/06/2013

    Real shame Bowe is now out of the tour..Him and north were definite starters and both played exceptionally well games yesterday...

    Unfortunately Warburton and the entire backrow were pretty much anonymous for the entire match...Warburton also missed a crucial tackle which would have stopped the reds first try..Heaslip, o brien and Croft were all much better and more involved than those who played yesterday (albeit against much lesser opposition) but I really can't see Sam being left out even if there are better players there..or at least players playing better right now..

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