Thriller ... the Lions celebrate after Kurtley Beale misses the match-winning kick. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP
A brilliant two-try debut from Israel Folau wasn't enough for the battered Wallabies who fell 23-21 to the British and Irish Lions in an epic first Test battle on Saturday night.
| 2 Tries 2 | |
|---|---|
| Israel Folau 13' | George North 26' |
| Israel Folau 35' | Alex Cuthbert 49' |
| 1 Conversions2 | |
| James O'Connor 15' | Leigh Halfpenny 28' |
| Leigh Halfpenny 50' | |
| 3 Penalties3 | |
| James O'Connor 52' | Leigh Halfpenny 25' |
| Kurtley Beale 62' | Leigh Halfpenny 32' |
| Kurtley Beale 68' | Leigh Halfpenny 66' |
In a gripping contest, a courageous Australia almost fought back from an eight-point second-half deficit but Kurtley Beale missed two penalty goal attempts in the final five minutes that would have stolen the win.
Beale had edged the Wallabies to within two points with 13 minutes left in front of a record Suncorp Stadium crowd of 52,499, but he skewed his first match-winning attempt and then slipped as he fired off a last-minute shot from 45m.
The reserve fullback, in his first-class return following his second suspension for alcohol issues, shouldn't shoulder all the blame as poor goalkicking severely cost the home side throughout.
With first-choice kicker Christian Lealiifano taken off on a stretcher in the first minute, five-eighth James O'Connor stepped up but missed two attempts in the opening eight minutes.
O'Connor also missed a kickable conversion from Folau's second try, meaning the Wallabies left 14 points in total out on the field.
Miss something? Re-live all the action with Match Centre, featuring video highlights!
In contrast, Lions' radar boot Leigh Halfpenny slotted five from six.
There was little in the invigorating contest as momentum swung back and forward and Folau produced one of the best Test debuts by crossing twice in the first half and also saving a try.
The Australian scrum also stepped up when required, spoiling the Lions ball five metres out late in the game and also forcing the late penalty for Beale's failed shot at glory.
The Lions seemed to be in control as they jumped to a 20-12 lead in the 50th minute when winger Alex Cuthbert brushed off Michael Hooper and then Beale to score a try which had a hint of obstruction with Brian O'Driscoll running into O'Connor.
The carnage for the home side didn't end with Lealiifano, who was knocked out in tackling opposite number Jonathan Davies.
Berrick Barnes (jaw) and Pat McCabe (neck) were also replaced, forcing flanker Hooper to play in the midfield for the last 35 minutes.
In a magnificent first half, the superstar wingers of both sides shone with Folau's double plus Welsh giant George North scoring a sensational 60m solo try.
It was stand-out halfback Will Genia who sparked Folau's opening try with a superb 80m counter-attack by taking a quick tap and bamboozling the Lions' thin defence, before grubber kicking to the former league international and AFL flop.
But the home side's 7-0 lead didn't last long as the tourists gained the ascendancy in the set pieces and North punished a poor high kick by Barnes by blitzing two chasers and then stepping around Barnes to score.
The Welsh 21-year-old almost had a second five-pointer four minutes later but was denied by Folau who held him up in the left corner and his elbow landed on the sideline.
Genia, again, started Folau's second try by wrapping around Kane Douglas and quick hands had the lanky Waratah in space and he burnt Jonny Sexton and Alex Corbisiero to cross.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Lions hold off wounded Wallabies
Dengan url
http://sportlivestyle.blogspot.com/2013/06/lions-hold-off-wounded-wallabies.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Lions hold off wounded Wallabies
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Lions hold off wounded Wallabies
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar