ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Saturday Jun 22, 2013

The British and Irish Lions win the first Test as Kurtley Beale misses late penalties

The Lions held on to win the first Test as the Wallabies, who had multiple injuries to contend with, missed two chances to take the lead late in the game. The outcome of the series now looks as though it’ll be down to who adapts best to injury setbacks.

The Wallabies got off to an awful start as debutant Christian Leali’ifano was knocked out cold in the first minute after a strong carry from centre Jonathan Davies. It set the tone for the match, as Berrick Barnes, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane and Adam Ashley Cooper followed.

At one stage in the second half the Wallabies had flanker Michael Hooper in the backline, but they showed great courage to hang on nevertheless, coming painfully close to snatching the win from two late penalty attempts.

Earlier brilliant tries were scored in a scintilating first half, with debutant Israel Folau scoring after a brilliant Will Genia break, and then George North scoring arguably one of the greatest Lions tries.

Folau got his second try with a sensational inside step and fend, before Alex Cuthbert crossed through the disorganised Wallaby midfield later in the game.

In the end it all came down to a penalty attempt from Kurtley Beale at the death. Beale, just having returned from time out of the game due to some personal issues, slipped on the chewed up turf, allowing the Lions to take the win and go 1-0 in a series that has already been a fantastic advert for the code of Union in Australia.

“KB did as well as he could. I told him not to worry about it… everyone in the team still loves him,” said captain James Horwill, who was later cited for a stamp.

Multiple players will undergo scans today and this week, and it looks as though Paul O’Connell is on his way home after suffering with a broken bone in his arm. Prop Alex Corbisiero is also under an injury cloud, so Australian born Ireland prop Tom Court joins the Lions squad as cover.

On the balance of the first Test, one might say that the Lions were lucky to take the win. They played some great rugby but the Wallabies had very little luck, missing early kicks at goal from James O’Connor, losing key players to injury, and of course missing those late Beale kicks at goal.

It’ll be interesting to see the approach to the next Test as both units will have to rebuild, restructure and reinvent themselves somewhat, especially the Wallabies, if they aim to take the series victory.

Post match interview with Leigh Halfpenny | British and Irish Lions section

Feel free to share your thoughts on the game (and the incredible tries!) in the comments below.

Nick Heath chatted with Leigh Halfpenny post match, who said it felt like last year all over again.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 339 WEEKS AGO

    Warren Gatland confirms British & Irish Lions...

  • 502 WEEKS AGO

    Brian O'Driscoll's incredible skill at training...

  • 516 WEEKS AGO

    Montage of Amazing Lions Test series in Australia,...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Marcos Kremer shown red card for reckless shot on Finn Russell

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

View All

Amateur

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Horrific footage has emerged of Mohamed Haouas attack on wife

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

View All