Five things we learned from Reds - Lions

Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 12:30 PM
Lachie Grey
by Lachie Grey
Dylan Pietsch's highlights from the Western Force's tour game against the British & Irish Lions

The British & Irish Lions are 2-0 on Australian shores following their 40-point win over the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

The tourists kicked clear from a 21-12 half time lead to run out 52-12 victors at Suncorp Stadium with Welshman Jac Morgan starring at openside flanker.

Watch every game of the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

Here's what we learned:

1. Lions lay down marker

Pre-game, Lions coach Andy Farrell told his side they'd have to go up another level - and boy, did they deliver.

This isn't your average British & Irish crash-and-bash Lions - this is a team that can cut you apart six different ways and did so after half time.

Finn Russell was at his surgical best during his 51 minutes while wing duo Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman combined for 160m and three tries.

Best on ground Jac Morgan was a powerhouse on the openside flank with 18 tackles and three turnovers to showcase his Test credentials with skipper Maro Itoje (18 tackles, two turnovers) also impressing.

The Reds sorely missed their Wallabies contingent with Fraser McReight's absence at the ruck keenly felt.

2. Hunter hunting Wallaby gold

In a well beaten side and against one of world rugby's most feared centres, Hunter Paisami was simply superb.

The nuggety midfielder was at his tackle shredding best against Bundee Aki, shaking off five defenders, forcing two line breaks and offloading freely.

Paisami wasn't missing in defence either - the Queenslander hit all 10 of his tackles without fail - and added a pilfer for good measure.

Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii might be the frontrunners for Joe Schmidt's midfield but don't rule out Paisami just yet - that was a night to remember.

Josh Flook also impressed outside Paisami before injury cut his night short at 53 minutes - his ankle pick-up from a Kalani Thomas grubber to score was a thing of beauty.

3. Reds forwards stand tall

Joe Brial went from strength to strength in Super Rugby Pacific 2025 but this performance was up another level entirely.

In a well beaten side, Brial dominated almost every collision half, setting up Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen’s opening try with a surging run and his charge down on Jamison Gibson-Park laid the platform Queensland’s second try.

The young backrower was equally impressive in defence, topping the Reds for tackles and winning a turnover

Seru Uru and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also shone with ball in hand, carrying strongly all night while Kiwi prop Aidan Ross impressed on debut for Queensland.

More broadly, the Reds’ scrum was noteworthy with three penalties against their vaunted rivals putting the Lions on notice.

4. Almost Anderson

Easily the “what if” moment of this encounter, Lachie Anderson’s desperate 38th minute lunge could’ve rated among the great Lions tour match tries.

Mere seconds after Duhan van der Merwe’s 37th minute try up the other end, Anderson hared after Queensland’s deep restart and flung himself full stretch in-goal.

The rangy winger appeared to have a fingertip to the ball as it touched the flag before bouncing over the dead ball line with initial replays sending Suncorp Stadium into a frenzy.

However, further replays showed that Anderson did not ground the ball clearly and was also dead in goal.

It could’ve been the try that saw Queensland draw within a score at half time – so close, yet so far.

5. Lions' second half surges

Two massive games, two massive crowds and two massive second halves from the Lions.

Tonight's Lions showing in Brisbane in front of 46,345 screaming fans was no different from their second half surge before a record 46,656 turnout in Perth.

After heading into the sheds up 21-12, the tourists shifted gears and went absolutely bonkers against the tiring Queenslanders.

Itoje's 45th minute try opened the door for a brutal 10-minute burst where Morgan, Freeman and Jones all crossed in quick succession.

Just like they did against the Force, the Lions' power game and fitness saw them streak away - something that won't have escaped Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.

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