Lions record comprehensive win over Reds as Andy Farrell's side take another step forward
Skipper Maro Itoje was quietly exceptional in win over the Reds
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The British and Irish Lions ran in eight tries as they secured their second win in Australia after defeating the Queensland Reds 52-12 in Brisbane.
After another clunky start from the Lions - which saw them concede first following Jeff Toomaga-Allen’s try - scores from Tommy Freeman, Andrew Porter and Duhan van der Merwe gave them a platform.
Josh Flook did cross for the Reds, but it was first blood to the tourists after the interval with captain Maro Itoje plunging over.
Just as in their first tour match against the Western Force, the Lions' strength in depth shone through as Jac Morgan, Freeman, Huw Jones, and Garry Ringrose all crossed the try line.
However, for the second match in a row, the Lions came away with an injury concern.
Elliot Daly - a late replacement for Hugo Keenan, who was ruled out through illness - left the field just after the hour mark after taking a heavy blow to the arm from his opposite number, Jock Campbell.
The versatile back - who once again produced an assured display - was seen with a fair amount of ice on his forearm when replaced but overall, from a collective perspective, another eight-try performance from the Lions represented another step forward.
Boss Andy Farrell had called for a more ‘joined-up’ display from his side at the Suncorp Stadium, but yet again, a disjointed opening gave the men in red work to do.
A sluggish beginning at set-piece, combined with a lack of early intensity, was pounced upon by a hungry Reds side.
Wallaby Hunter Paisami - who certainly caught the eye - put the hosts on the front foot as they continually broke the gainline, and a superb carry from No.8 Joe Brial eventually led to former Wasp Toomaga-Allen scoring.
By half-time, the Lions had coughed up nine handling errors, but they did click on 15 minutes.
Better shape and accurate first-phase play from the line-out saw controller Finn Russell link well with Daly, and the move ended with Freeman scampering over.
But the Lions continued to make life difficult for themselves and the Reds’ accuracy punished them again as a lovely-weighted kick from Kalani Thomas left Jones and van der Merwe in no man's land as Flook gobbled up the ball.
As they did against the Force last Saturday, the Lions began to settle into the contest, showing good variety in attack. Freeman was held up just short, but a quick tap penalty soon after was finished off by Porter.
Another well-created try followed. Exceptional soft hands from the physical Jack Conan - who made 13 carries in the eight shirt - and Ollie Chessum saw van der Merve dive in.
A quick start to the second period allowed the Lions to put their foot on the accelerator as a strong carry from Bundee Aki, a neat break from Jamison Gibson-Park on debut ended with Itoje powering over - just reward for an industrious display from the skipper.
The game followed a similar pattern to Saturday's meeting against the Force, with fresh impetus from the bench helping the Lions pull away.
The Reds' defence was creaking and was being stretched, and a zipped pass from replacement scrum-half Alex Mitchell found the line of man of the match Morgan who went over.
The Lions were now starting to make metres for fun (536 across the 80 minutes) with Freeman next to profit after patient phase play. Jones then read a chip attempt from Reds winger Tom Ryan and from inside his own half, he raced home.
While the flurry of tries dried up for the Lions, the tourists did eventually match the total they scored against the Force.
Ringrose capped the victory late on while the Lions also restricted their hosts to just 12 points thanks to an improved defensive effort.
Farrell is now beginning to put his pieces together, but next up it is over to Sydney to take on the Waratahs on Saturday.
Captain Itoje to Sky's Ellie Roper: “We are happy. It was a good all-around performance. First half was a bit tough, a bit back-and-forth. We stayed consistent and we were just generally better. It was a bit more of a high-pressure environment but you learn more in games. It is a blessing in disguise to have so many games in succession.
“We were a little bit better today. We need to be better rugby players! We need to be sharper, more accurate.”
Teams
British and Irish Lions: Daly; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Van der Merwe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Stuart, Itoje (capt), Chessum, Curry, Morgan, Conan.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Bealham, Ryan, Earl, Mitchell, F Smith, Ringrose.
Queensland Reds: Campbell (capt); Anderson, Flook, Paisami, Ryan; McLaughlin-Phillips, Thomas; Ross, Faessler, Toomaga-Allen, Canham, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Bryant, Brial.
Replacements: Nasser, Blake, Fa’agase, Smith, Blyth, Vest, Werchon, Henry.
