The British & Irish Lions drew first blood in their three-Test series over the Wallabies with a 27-19 victory in Brisbane.
Andy Farrell's side dominated the majority of the game but a late rally from the Wallabies gave Joe Schmidt's side some hope heading into the second Test next weekend.
Tries from Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Curry and Dan Sheehan along with a combined 12 points from the boots of Finn Russell and Marcus Smith was enough to get the Lions over the line.
Max Jorgensen, Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott claimed tries for Australia with Ben Donaldson kicking four points.
The Lions forwards were getting over the gainline with ease early on, with a lovely pass from Russell sending Sheehan charging into the Wallabies 22. After a period of sustained pressure another wonderful pass from Russell put Tuipulotu over for the opening try.
The Lions very nearly claimed a second soon after when James Lowe found the edge before passing inside to Huw Jones who was tackled short of the line by Jorgensen.
Jones got back up and touched down but the try was disallowed because he did not release the ball.
Australia hit back when Jorgensen beat Hugo Keenan in the air after a terrific box kick from Jake Gordon to score.
But the Lions hit back with a try from Curry from short range to give themselves a comfortable 17-5 lead at the interval.
The Lions made the perfect start to the second-half with an incisive break from Jones into the Wallabies 22 before it was shifted wide for Curry to put Sheehan over at the corner with Russell converting from the touchline.
But the Lions took their foot off the gas which gave Australia a chance to start building some pressure.
Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali had a try disallowed but Tizzano soon put it right as he muscled his way over the line.
Replacement scrum-half McDermott claimed a score with a minute left to give the Wallabies something to build on heading into the second Test.
Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, De Crespigny, McReight, Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway.
Lions: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje (capt), McCarthy, Beirne, Curry, Conan.
Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Aki.
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ)
Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Blair and Garry Ringrose?
Farrell: Blair’s doing pretty well. Garry’s good. Hopefully they carry on in that trajectory and could be ready for Tuesday.
Ideally pick the same 23 next week?
Farrell: Not necessarily. There’s people competing and it’s about being open-minded enough for that.
On Pete Samu
Farrell: I suppose everyone wants to play against the Lions. I suppose he’ll be disappointed. We’ll let the powers that be deal with that.
Tuesday night? Challenge amid Test series?
Farrell: Well, we care about the squad and nothing but the squad. We’ve never separated once. We’ve been all in together. We’ll enjoy this victory tonight. We travel to Melbourne tomorrow. We’ll name a side internally just before dinner. We’ll do everything to make sure they have as much preparation as possible.”
Felt you’d won subconsciously?
Itoje: I don’t think so. I think we just weren’t accurate.
Farrell: Finn was cramping a little bit.
Complacency?
Farrell: That shouldn’t happen. We talk about being next moment, focused on that. We certainly need to address that. Subconsciously that tends to happen, but it shouldn’t.
Expecting fightback with Valetini and Skelton back?
Farrell: We’ll see. I don’t know. Our focus is on Tuesday. I thought we let them back into the game. It doesn’t matter if you think the game is won or lost. It was a lack of discipline in the second-half. We started losing a few collisions. I believe that’s a fantastic place for us to be, with more in us.
More direct?
Farrell:The hardest part of any team coming together is gelling in attack. We’re trying to find that out about ourselves.
Can squad take performance up a level?
Captain Maro Itoje fields this one...
I think today was a good performance, especially the first-half. When you play Test rugby, everything doesn’t go your way. That was the story of the second-half. But delighted to get off to a 1-0 start.
On Australia's second-half response
Farrell: We know what happened in the second-half. We roll onto the second game knowing full well what happened in the second game in 2013, when an Australian team turned up desperate. We expect more of ourselves.
On Beirne and Curry
Farrell: Immense. Absolutely immense. They’re big game players. They were challenged by a few. Tom Curry put in a nice shot and Tadhg got the turnover. That set the tone. It didn't stop there. Jack Conan’s carrying was very much on the frontfoot. Those three guys will be very delighted with how they responded to selection.
Power important?
Farrell: I thought we started the game well and got some momentum. I thought our game control was pretty good. I’ve no doubt Australia would have been pleased with their power in the second half.
1-0 up - satisfying?
Farrell: Very. It’s what both teams would have been desperate for, to get off to a winning start. It’s huge. It puts the pressure on for next week and keeps us in the tour until the final week. We know what coming to Suncorp means. They would have been targeting this. So delighted to win.
Reaction coming up
We're about to hear from Andy Farrell and skipper Maro Itoje after that impressive in win in Brisbane.
Full-time: Australia 19-27 British & Irish Lions
The Lions have drawn first blood in this three Test series.
Tries from Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Curry and Dan Sheehan get them over the line. Andy Farrell's side were dominant for large periods of the game but a late rally from the Wallabies will have given them hope heading into the second Test next Saturday.
Try Australia! Australia 19-27 Lions
The Wallabies claim their third try.
It's a strong initial break from Harry Potter but it ends up with replacement scrum-half Tate McDermott sneaking over the line. Donaldson adds the extras.
Penalty Lions! Australia 12-27 Lions
The lions build huge pressure in the Wallabies 22 but the hosts are pinged at the breakdown.
Marcus Smith slams over the penalty.
Try Australia! Australia 12-24 Lions
Australia pile on the pressure as they lay siege to the Lions try line.
After a couple of strong carries Carlo Tizzano powers over from short range. Ben Donaldson adds the extras.
Close again!
The Wallabies go down the short side and it's a lovely grubber kick by Harry Wilson to turn the Lions defence but the ball beats Harry Potter into touch.
Australia 5-24 Lions
No try!
The try has been disallowed with the Lions awarded a penalty because Sua'ali did not release at the breakdown.
Australia 5-24 Lions
Try or no try?
There's still life in this game!
The Wallabies have a period of sustained pressure and after a couple of powerful carries Joseph Aukuso-Sua'ali hits a wicked angle before smashing his way over the line.
The officials go to the TMO.
Australia 5-24 Lions
Australian pressure
The Wallabies build pressure in the Lions 22 but are held up over the line by Maro Itoje.
Australia 5-24 Lions
Another Lions replacement
Ellis Genge is replaced by Andrew Porter.
The English prop has put in an outstanding performance.
Australia 5-24 Lions
Try Lions! Australia 5-24 Lions
It's the perfect start to the second-half from the Lions.
Tom Curry intercepts the ball for Russell to put Huw Jones into a gap. He's brought down in the Wallabies 22 but the Lions goes wide and Tom Curry puts Dan Sheehan over at the touchline.
Finn Russell converts from the touchline.
Second-half kick-off
Tom Lynagh gets the second-half underway.
Australia 5-17 Lions
Half-time: Australia 5-17 Lions
That was a half of rugby the Lions dominated from start to finish.
Sione Tuipulotu and Tom Curry have scored the tries while Huw Jones had one disallowed.
Max Jorgensen has got one for the Wallabies but the Lions have dominated the first-half.
Try Lions! Australia 5-17 Lions
The Lions finally get the try they deserve.
Lions take a penalty quickly and after a couple of strong carries Tom Curry powers over from short range.
Finn Russell adds the extras.
Held up!
Lions go to the corner and Maro Itoje is held up over the line.
Australia 5-10 Lions
