The Queensland Reds were overpowered 52-12 by a quality British and Irish Lions side on Wednesday night in the first of their two visits to Suncorp Stadium this month.
Many of the combinations on display will form the backbone of the Test side when the Lions face the Wallabies at the same venue on July 19.
The Lions paid the Reds the respect of picking a near-Test line-up led by skipper Maro Itoje and top-choice halves Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park.
The eight tries-to-two ledger was convincing after the promising opening from the Reds. The roar of the biggest crowd (46,435) to a Reds game since the 2013 Lions tour urged on the early inroads.
The Reds showed what they were made of in the opening 25 minutes. Their opening try after eight minutes was a beauty with punchy carries from Hunter Paisami, Joe Brial and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in the lead-up.
They were clinical when needed with prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen spearing over at close range off a Kalani Thomas pass.
In that same early period, the Reds also had to repel the Lions with starchy defence off a 5m lineout drive and nail tackles in cover defence.
The 7-0 start was maintained until a fine Lions counter from winger Tommy Freeman off a nicely worked backline play.
On 25 minutes, the Reds showed their adaptability. This time it was a smart grubber kick ahead from Thomas.
Centre Josh Flook ran a superbly timed line to meet the ball before it reached winger Duhan van der Merwe and dived in for the try.
Flook had a strong game before being replaced with an ankle injury early in the second half. Likewise, Paisami stood tall with his runs into the defence and revelled in a match-up against frontline Lions centre Bundee Aki.
Backrower Brial continued his fine season while new recruit Aidan Ross looked an excellent gain on debut after being part of a scrum earning some first half penalties.
The 12-7 lead survived for just a few minutes until Lions prop Andrew Porter hammered over under the posts from close range for 14-12.
When the Lions scored leading into half-time and again shortly after the break the score had got away from the Reds at 28-12.
“We certainly put on the table what we wanted to early,” Reds head Coach Les Kiss said.
“We got some traction and bent them around the edges a few times but we couldn’t sustain it.
“Their power comes through gradually and continually. They’ve got footy skills on the back of that power too. We gave them a couple of easy entries to our territory and that hurt us.”
Kiss was upbeat about the showing of lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, returning to the side after seven weeks out injured. He played 52 minutes.
“Lukhan was critical in the early stages when we dented them,” Kiss said.
“I thought Joe Brial was very powerful and created some nice penetration. I expected nothing less from Hunter too. He was quality.”
The Reds’ short kicking game caused the Lions a few headaches.
Replacement locks Angus Blyth and Ryan Smith both played over 20 minutes off the bench in their final appearances for the club.
Both were celebrated in the Reds dressing room for their lengthy and willing service.
BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS 52
Tries: Tommy Freeman 2, Andrew Porter, Duhan van der Merwe, Jac Morgan, Maro Itoje, Garry Ringrose, Huw Jones
Conversions: Finn Russell 4, Fin Smith 2
Defeated
QUEENSLAND REDS 12
Tries: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Josh Floo
Conversion: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Half-time: Lions 21-Reds 12
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Crowd: 46,435
