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Tualima (3'), Toole (36'), Creighton (50'), Bowron (74')
Tries
Chessum (14'), Lowe (28'), Smith (40'), Ringrose (46'), Flier (66')
Lonergan (51'), Debreczeni (75')
Conversions
Russell (29', 41', 47', 67')
Penalties
Russell (61')
The British and Irish Lions made it four wins from four with victory over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday.
It was improvement on their performance against New South Wales Waratahs, but there are still issues for Andy Farrell’s team to iron out before the test series begins in 10 days.
Ollie Chessum, James Lowe, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose, and Josh van der Flier, scored tries for the Lions. Finn Russell kicked 11 points.
Tuaina Taii Tualima, Corey Toole, Hudson Creighton, and Liam Bowron scored for the Brumbies who enjoyed periods of the match when they showed why they reached the Super Rugby semifinals.
The Lions’ worries over fullback continue though. Blair Kinghorn went off for a head injury assessment after 25 minutes. He stayed on the bench for the rest of the match, wrapped up in a coat and beanie.
It was a good match for the Irish contingent. Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Sheehan, Jack Conan, and Tadhg Furlong had strong, and timely, performances.
Gibson-Park and Russell certainly appear set as the first test halfback pairing. Russell also had the chance to show off the French he picked up during his time at Racing 92 with referee Pierre Brousset.
SPRITELY START
Despite talk of a strong start, the Lions were soon on the backfoot after two penalties allowed the hosts an early chance to attack. They took full advantage when Tualima powered over a ruck.
Lowe was then bundled into touch to keep the home fans smiling, and Bundee Aki flung a pass to no-one.
By now Kinghorn was showing signs of injury but struggled on. While he did Chessum took Russell’s pop pass to go over in the corner.
Sheehan built on the momentum with a mighty handoff on Brumbies flyhalf Declan Meredith that will do the rounds on social media.
Kinghorn eventually took his leave on 25 minutes, and Smith was thrown straight into the fray and passed his first test by taking a huge up and under.
Andy Muirhead worked hard to deny Lowe his first Lions try. It was an good opening for the wing and while Muirhead did well, it Lowe should have finished.
NO MISTAKE FOR LOWE
He made no mistake with his second chance. Ringrose, Sheehan and Conan opened the space, and he finished in the corner.
The Brumbies showed why they are Australia’s best Super Rugby team, and while they weren’t at the Waratahs’ level, they were enjoying themselves at the breakdown.
Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan was putting his side on the front foot, and they earned their reward when Corey Toole rounded off a sharp backline move.
The Lions hit back immediately. Russell sent Tom Curry into a space, and Smith popped up on his shoulder and held off the last defender.
With Keenan the only other fullback and off form against the Waratahs, it was a good time for Smith to open his tally.
Ringrose’s try settled his side after a mixed start to the first half. He broke the line, popped to Smith and then was first to his kick through.
He then had to clear up at the other end when Gibson-Park failed to control Toole kick chase.
Creighton ran hard and straight to finish a Brumbies overload, and while van der Flier’s try and Russell’s penalty extended the tourists’ lead, Maro Itoje struggled to claim two restarts.
Bowron powered over for a late Brumbies try. Chessum then had a second ruled out to bring a slightly anticlimactic match, to a slightly anticlimactic end.
