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Finn Russell has called on the British and Irish Lions to raise their performance levels after taking a one-nil lead against Australia in the best-of-three test series on Saturday.
The Lions defeated the Wallabies 27-19 in Brisbane thanks to tries from Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Curry, and Dan Sheehan.
Overall, it was an impressive showing, though the Lions intensity dropped off late in the game which allowed Australia to score two tries.
“I think the first half we played really well,” Russell told Sky Sports. “We showed that when we were 12 points up at half-time. We had the territory; we could've scored more points but we're happy.”
“DIFFERENT TEAM”
Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park enjoyed strong performances after Lions head coach Andy Farrell selected them as his halfback duo.
The Scot started strongly when he scored an early penalty, and then set up Tuipulotu for the opening try, all in the first 10 minutes.
Australia were missing Will Skelton and Rob Valentini, two of their most physical players, which didn’t help against a pack containing Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, and Ellis Genge in rampant form.
The Wallabies were boosted when Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott came off the bench to score tries and put their hands up to start the second test in Melbourne next Saturday.
There was also a first half try for Max Jorgensen.
"We expect a different team next week,” Russell said. “Joe Schmidt is a great coach so it will be different.
FOUR FROM FOUR
“We’ve had the taste against the Wallabies, and we'll be more prepared as to what to expect.”
Victory in Suncorp Stadium continues the Lions run of success in Brisbane that dates back to 1989.
However, they have been less successful in Melbourne, a city in which they lost the second tests in 2001 and 2013.
Schmidt will have plenty to ponder after a defeat that makes it three wins and three losses in their last six matches.
DENIED BY THE BOUNCE
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Harry Wilson were held up over the line, and Harry Potter was denied a try when a late bounce took the ball away from him.
“I felt like the players really dug in, and the score (Tom Curry) just before half-time was frustrating,” Schmidt told Sky Sports.
“We played well, and those tries got us back in the game. We've got character, but we didn't take the chances we should have.
“We'll make some decisions Monday and Tuesday. It's difficult to say if we'll change personal and how that will impact us.”