Andy Farrell impressed in patches as British & Irish Lions steamroller Queensland Reds

BRISBANE – British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell was happy with how his team settled to their task after conceding two early scores as they ran in eight tries to beat the Queensland Reds 52-12 on July 2.

As against the Western Force in Perth on June 28, the tourists had their line breached in the first quarter before dominating the contest and running up the score in Brisbane.

“Impressive in patches again,” Farrell said. “We played some nice rugby after we settled down. I think the first 10 minutes, the Reds started pretty well and we had a few errors on top of one another.

“But I thought we were nice and composed, even though it was a bit stop-start for us as far as continuity is concerned. But we ended up playing some nice rugby in the end.”

English wing Tommy Freeman scored two tries as the visitors outgunned the home side eight tries to two in a high-tempo game, 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 on July 2 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.

Difficulties can be expected with players from four nations coming together over a short period, and issues at the restart, handling errors as well as a couple of scrum penalties, will not have pleased Farrell.

Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park returned from a glute injury that ruled him out of the loss to Argentina and the win over Western Force, however, working well with Finn Russell in what is expected to be the fly-halves combination.

Once they settled, the Lions looked impressive in attack and defence, holding their opposition scoreless after half-time for the second match in a row.

“We weren’t happy with the start of our game,” said Farrell.

“I think we started a little bit better in the second half. And I think the quality of the bench and the example that the benches have set in the other two games has been top draw.

“Competition for places, that’s what we’re after, isn’t it? And everyone’s got to play right through to the final whistle.”

The Lions lost scrum-half Tomos Williams for the remainder of the tour with a hamstring injury and now have concerns over fullback Elliot Daly, who was replaced with what looked like a wrist injury against the Reds.

The experienced England outside back has been among the better performers in the first three matches of his fourth Lions tour and scored two tries against the Force. REUTERS, AFP