The British and Irish Lions arrived in Canberra with a new look side to take on the Brumbies in their last match before the start of the test series.
The Lions have been forced to call on some replacements with an ever increasing injury toll that sees four new names in the backline, with some of those only arriving in the country in the last 48 hours.
The Match
The Brumbies have scored an historic 14-12 win over the British and Irish Lions to become the first Australian provincial side in 42 years to beat the Lions.
The match was built on the back of a huge defensive effort to keep the tourists try less.
It took just six minutes for the Brumbies to score the opening try after a giant fend on newcomer Christian Wade after Andrew Smith made the run to set him up down the left hand side.
The Lions were struggling with their lineout at times which was making it hard for them to take advantage of their trips into the Brumbies 22.
As the half wore on, the Brumbies were content to play for territory and keep the Lions deep inside their own half.
The Brumbies had a great chance at scoring their second of the night after some great work from Kuridrani, who was getting involved as often as possible but the final pass from Fainga’a went astray.
The home side had two more chances to extend their lead with shots at penalty goal, including a 55 metre attempt from Jesse Mogg that went just wide.
It was third time lucky with Mogg finally converting his first shot of the night to extend the lead to eight.
And then with the half time siren gone, the Lions finally got on the board through the boot of Stuart Hogg after an earlier attempt hit the post.
In the second half the Lions lineout woes continued giving the Brumbies as easy way to relieve the pressure.
The Brumbies added to their lead to eight points with another penalty goal to Mogg to give his side a little breathing space.
They were to gain another penalty goal after benefiting from a assistant referees report after a Lions player attacked the head of a Brumbies player in a maul.
The Lions tried to get back in the game by attacking the Brumbies with high kicks that worked at times but looked to be their only success.
From one kick they got a penalty and Hogg managed his second penalty of the night to reduce the gap to eight.
With the Lions making a host of changes, they were slowly gaining the upper hand and getting a series of penalties.
Owen Farrell took over form Stuart Hogg and his first kick at goal made the score 14-9 as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
The experience of the Lions started to show and another Farrell penalty reduced to the gap to just two points as the home crowd started to get nervous.
The Lions threw everything at the Brumbies in the last few minutes but they held on with a pivotal scrum win from Colby Fainga’a saving the match for the Brumbies and they held on for the 14-12 win.
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The Game Changer
Colby Fainga’a’s scrum win in the last five minutes proved vital
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The G&GR MOTM
A few to choose from but I’m giving the nod to Tevita Kuridrani with his defensive effort a key to the win to go with his try.
Notable mentions to Fainga’a and Kimlin.
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Wallaby Watch
Peter Kimlin has played out of his skin in the last two matches and his Wallabies call up looks like a good call.
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The Details
Crowd: 21,655
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES: 14
Tries: Kuridrani
Conversions:
Penalties: Mogg 3
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[one_half last=”yes”]BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: 12
Tries:
Conversions:
Penalties: Hogg 2, Farrell 2
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