Freeman at the double as slick Lions romp past Reds 52-12 / Photo: DAVID GRAY - AFP
Freeman at the double as slick Lions romp past Reds 52-12
English wing Tommy Freeman scored two tries as a slick British and Irish Lions crushed the Queensland Reds 52-12 on Wednesday to make it two wins from two on their Australia tour.
The visitors outgunned the home side eight tries to two in a high-tempo game at Brisbane, building on a 21-12 half-time lead to romp home convincingly.
The last time the two teams met in 2013 the Lions were forced to hold off a determined Queensland to win 22-12.
It was a different story Wednesday as the Lions ran in five unanswered second half tries in front of more than 46,000 fans.
"I guess as a team, we just wanted to be better today, wanted to take a step forward," said Lions skipper Maro Itoje.
"And as always, it was rugby, it wasn't perfect. But I think generally speaking, it was a step in the right direction.
"I think we were a little bit more clinical, a teeny weeny bit. We were sharper, a little bit more accurate on the ball," he added after the visitors notched their second half-century in a row following a 54-7 win over Western Force on Saturday
"Over the last two games, we've made a few errors, and we still made quite a few errors, ball in hand. But I thought it was better in that regard."
The Lions attacked superbly but the win was set up by some fierce defence, which denied an increasingly frustrated Reds any space.
"First half we had the wind, and we used it well and came out hot," said Reds captain Jock Campbell.
"But sometimes you come up against a better side, and that was it tonight."
The Lions were increasingly comfortable as the match wore on, but it was a far from polished performance with 10 knock-ons costing the visitors at least two tries.
- Lightning hands -
The Reds started brilliantly as prop Jefferey Toomaga-Allen crashed over next to the posts after just eight minutes. Flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips converted.
The Lions almost struck back immediately when they regathered the kick-off, only for Brial to somehow hold up Bundee Aki when he looked certain to score from a rolling maul.
They were denied twice by some desperate Queensland defence but midway through half some clever handling saw Freeman cross out wide, with Finn Russell kicking the extras to level the score at 7-7.
The Reds were back in front five minutes later when scrum-half Kalani Thomas put a delightful kick through for outside centre Josh Flook to touch down.
Queensland led 12-5, a lead that lasted only four minutes before Irish prop Andrew Porter crashed over under the posts with Russell again successful with the conversion to make it 14-12 after 30 minutes.
It became 21-12 when Scottish wing Duhan van der Merwe went over in the left corner after being set free by more lightning hands in the backline.
Queensland were rocked again just after half-time when Itoje barged over to extend the lead to 28-12.
As Queensland chased the game, gaps began to appear and player of the match Jac Morgan grabbed his first try and Freeman his second to put the result beyond doubt.
Huw Jones got into the act as he intercepted an attempted chip kick from Tim Ryan and sprinted 60 yards for a 47-12 lead which became a half-century after the siren when replacement centre Garry Ringrose crossed in the corner.
L.Marino--IM
