Australia 19 Lions 27: Tourists off to dominant start but given late scare in three-try win in First Test
The Lions were cruising home before two late Aussie scores closed the gap.
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But the game was done by then and a win in Melbourne next week will nail the series.
Finn Russell turned on the style before being taken off with 13 minutes left and Tadhg Beirne justified his selection with a big game from blindside flanker.
The Lions were not perfect, but they did not have to be, and march onto Melbourne next week with a series win down here for the second time on the spin there for the taking.
They were 12 points up at half-time, but it could have been more, and when they Aussies had a sniff in the second half they slammed the door.
Hard-nosed skipper Itoje, called on Marcus Smith, Russell's replacement to kick a penalty with six minutes left to take it to 27-12 and prove they are here to win and not please the punters.
Lions fans have not toured for eight years, after they were banned from South Africa four years ago because of the pandemic and were out in force in Brisbane.
The bars on Caxton Street, on the walk from central Brisbane to the stadium, were heaving with buzzing travellers expecting a commanding performance.
They did not quite get it but they got a win, and that is good enough to be going on with.
From the word go the Lions targeted the Aussie rookie No10 Tom Lynagh, son of Wallaby legend Michael.
He might be a big name down here but try telling that to Ellis Genge and Dan Sheehan who both ran straight into him early on.
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It was Lynagh's first start and the Lions got after him good and proper. The youngster did not go the distance.
Russell got the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty then was involved twice in the lead-up to the Lions opener, for centre Sione Tuipulotu, delivering the killer pass to put his Scottish pal in under the sticks.
That was 10-0 to the tourists but the Aussies hit back, on 28 minutes, when Hugo Keenan won a high ball but got stripped by home wing Max Jorgensen who sprinted over to score.
Tom Curry then put the Lions back in control, driving over after Sheehan's quick tap and the England man then turned provider for Ireland's Sheehan when he put him over shortly after the break.
The Aussies had a touchdown for centre Joseph Suaalii chalked off then took off Lynagh on the hour but substitute Carlo Tizzano did get one back before Smith's penalty.
The Aussies could not be accused of chucking the towel in and sub scrum-half Tate McDermott closed the gap with two minutes left but the Lions had done enough.
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