Adam Ashley-Cooper’s late converted try levels the Test Series - Australia 16 British & Irish Lions 15

The Second Test was a tense affair with much less flowing attacking rugby from deep and more negative, defensive rugby played with a strong kick-chase and a focus on the breakdown. Australia just edged the battle in the scrum with Mako Vunipola struggling against the mighty Ben Alexander. The Lions had the edge in the driving maul in the early stages, however, Tom Youngs’ delivery in to the line-out was poor and the visitors could not secure possession at crucial periods of the game. The match was a real battle between the goal kickers with Christian Leali'ifano for Australia and Leigh Halfpenny for the Lions; however, Ashley-Cooper’s score just gave the home side the edge meaning the final test in Sydney decides the series.

The Lions edged the first half with Halfpenny slotting four penalty kicks to Leali’ifano’s three. The Welsh goal kicking marksman missed one attempt in the first period, with a long-range effort just rebounding off the bar. The Lions won early favour with referee Craig Joubert, his ruling at the breakdown favoured the visitors initially and he credited the powerful driving maul with penalties when it was cynically dragged down twice in the first half by the Wallabies.

Jonathan Sexton was kicking well out of hand and the returning Tommy Bowe on the right wing was chasing and competing for the high ball, causing problems for Kurtley Beale at full back. This gave the Lions a few chances in the first half, but the visitors could not find the pass needed to unlock the Aussie defence. Warren Gatland’s side struggled to put together many phases with simple unforced errors creeping in to their attacking play.

Brian O’Driscoll put in some fine hits in the first 40 minutes, however, he nearly gave away a costly score as a miss-guided pass went straight in to the giant hands of Israel Folau. The two-time try scorer from the first test galloped up-field, however, the Lions pulled him down and gave away a penalty instead of a try.

The first half finished with the Lions holding a slender 12-9 lead without having impressed in the set-piece.

The intensity increased in the second half, with both sides keen to win the physical battle at the breakdown and on the gain-line. Connor Murray came on for Ben Youngs and scrum-half and immediately won a crucial turnover and penalty for the Lions. The most galvanising moment of the match for the crowd was when the monstrous winger George North collided with Folau and proceeded to pick up his opposite number and drive him backwards. The former Scarlet nearly injured himself in the process, but he got one over his opposite number and will make the highlight reel this week.

Must be something in the water in Wales: North lifts Folau with ease

The Lions found their feet with a well-driven scrum and Halfpenny extended the visitors’ lead to six points after 64 minutes. Travelling support knew that this lead would not hold and hoped for a try to close-out the game.

In the final ten minutes of the game, the Australians threw everything at the Lions and for several minutes were just meters away from the try-line. A stoic effort from the likes of Sam Warburton – who sadly limped off injured after being cleared out by three Australian loose-forwards and Jamie Heaslip could not prevent the inevitable.

Utility back James O’Connor who still is yet to prove himself as an international No.10, managed to hold Jonathan Davies’ attention for long enough before finding Adam Ashley Cooper in the wide channel, who crashed over from five metres out. Sadly, Davies did not trust O’Driscoll – his inside man, and did not drift in defence to cover the NSW Waratahs 79-time-cap Wallaby.

With just minutes remaining on the clock, Leali'ifano had to nail the conversion to seal the match for the Wallabies. He split the uprights, giving the visitors only a few phases of play to try and win-back the match. It was a pleasing comeback for the centre - who lasted only 45 seconds in the first test before succumbing to injury.

The Lions won promising field position after Will Genia – who had a fantastic game for the home side, passed the ball back in to the 22 and Australia cleared the ball on the full. However, the visitors could not secure possession from the line-out and the Australians cleared the ball long after winning a penalty at the breakdown.

Despite this, the Lions had one more chance after Murray took a penalty quickly and edged Gatland’s pride towards the Australian half. Joubert awarded the visitors a penalty and Halfpenny stepped up to take the 53 metre kick. Personally, I felt this was the wrong call as the Cardiff full back had hit the bar with an effort from approximately 48 metres out. The Lions should have tried to play on and force a penalty from ten metres closer to the posts.

However, with adrenalin pumping and a spot of luck, anything could happen. Sadly Halfpenny – who should deservedly be named ‘Man of the Series’ struck the ball well and on the right line, but did not quite have the legs to carry the full distance. Genia kicked the ball dead and the hosts won their first test of the series.

Full time: Australia 16 British & Irish Lions 14.

Man of the match: Christian Leali'ifano (Australia) after the Wallabies lost the First Test missing 14 points from the tee, the centre held his nerve on his comeback match in the biggest game of his career. Three penalties and the winning conversion made the difference on the night for the Australians. Leali’ifano also made himself a nuisance in the breakdown and put in some terrific tackles to prevent the Lions from advancing at key stages.

What did you make of the Second Test? Do you think Australia deserved to win? Who will win the final test? Comment below or send me a message on twitter @tommyd91

Lions hold on to sneak victory in the First Test in Brisbane 23-21

Have a safe trip: Kurtley Beale slipped with his second attempt to land a winning penalty for the Aussies.

The Lions looked to make a promising start in Brisbane, with early pressure in the Australian 22. However, when a penalty advantage ended, the Wallaby back-row turned the ball over, forced a penalty of their own and the quick-witted Will Genia broke up the field with a quick tap. His 50 metre break and well judged chip for Israel Folau on his debut dealt the visitors an early sucker-punch. James O’Connor added the conversion to give the home side an early 7-0 lead.

Shortly after this, Leigh Halfpenny opened his side’s account with a early penalty to settle the travelling support’s nerves. It did not take the visitors long to score their first try. A loose kick from Berrick Barnes was well gathered by George North on his own 50 metre line. The Northampton-bound winger rounded Pat McCabe and then narrowly avoided O’Connor’s tap-tackle. The Northampton bound speedster stumbled, but kept his balance and rounded Barnes before cheekily taunting Genia as he touched down in the left-hand corner. Leigh Halfpenny continued his mesmerising form from the tee with the touchline conversion to take the Lions in to a three point lead.

Shortly after this, North looked to be in for another score, however, his left elbow stroked the touchline on grounding the ball and the TMO denied him a dream second try in his first Lions Test.

Halfpenny added a further penalty as Warren Gatland’s side started to work their way in to the match and applied plenty of pressure on the Australians.  However, Ben Mowen found debutant Folau on the right-hand wing and the Waratah stepped and sped his way past a hapless Lions defence. O’Connor missed the conversion in an inconsistent day of kicking for the home side.

Sadly, a thrilling half of rugby was soured by early injuries to Christian Leal’ifano who only managed 50 seconds of his debut and full-back Barnes who took a head-on collision from team mate Folau. The scores finished Australia 12 Lions 13 at half-time.

Gatland’s team talk worked its magic as the Lions made a bold start in the second half. Alex Cuthbert carved through the Australian defensive line past O’Connor and Michael Hooper to score after Jonathan Sexton put him through for a try following a well-worked backs move. Halfpenny added the simple conversion to put the visitors in a commanding position.

The Australians replied with penalties from O’Connor and Kurtley Beale on a day where the home team missed 14 points from the tee.  Halfpenny only missed one effort in the match and this ultimately proved the difference. He added another penalty after 63 minutes.

With only 13 minutes left on the clock, Beale who has been in the headlines over the past year for the wrong reasons made a crucial kick to narrow the gap to just two points.

It was to be a tense final ten minutes, with Australia piling as much pressure in the Lions’ half as possible. Beale had two efforts at goal to win the match for the Aussies; however, he pushed one kick wide and slipped with the final effort of the match.

It was cruel luck for the full-back s the winning kick would have been some kind of redemption for the troubled playmaker. However, the ball dropped miserably short and the Lions won only their second Test in nine matches 23-21.

The First Test matched the hype and expectation that the tour anticipated, however, the Lions will be worried that they were outplayed at the breakdown and that they were beaten wide on the counter attack on two occasions. Positives for the visitors were that the Welsh back-three are World Class and on occasions, the scrum was devastating. More consistency in the set-piece and more brutality and speed at the breakdown will secure the Lions the tour series.

The Australians rued their missed kicks at goal, if just one of their efforts had sailed between the posts they would have won. Goal kicking is vital at the top level. You can imagine that there will be lots of practice this week from the tee for the Wallabies, while Halfpenny will be proud of his exemplary record.

Man of the Match: George North (British and Irish Lions) Jim Mallinder will be delighted to have secured the former Scarlet’s signature for this season. The imposing winger has try-scoring ability from anywhere on the pitch and his devastating pace and build is a real weapon for the Lions. He scored one wonderful try and narrowly missed out on a second.

What did you make of the First Test? Did the Lions deserve to edge the game or were the Aussies unlucky to lose on poor goal kicking? Post below or message me on twitter @tommyd91

Ahead of the first Test against Australia on Saturday who has impressed so far for the British and Irish Lions? Who deserves a starting place in Brisbane?

The 2013 Lions Tour is in full-flow and the Test team seems to be writing itself. High-scoring routs have proved very little in real terms in relation to the Test series, but some individuals have stood out. With the first Test against Australia, just days away now, who has impressed for the British & Irish Lions and who deserves a starting place?

The back-row is the most contentious area on the team sheet, with Warren Gatland undoubtedly suffering selection headaches. Sam Warburton appears to have found some good form at short notice and his leadership qualities earns him the No. 7 shirt. Tom Croft’s athleticism edges the battle on the blind-side flank ahead of Dan Lydiate, the tackling machine. If the Test against the Wallabies break-down and space appears out wide, then Croft is the man to capitalise on this. He is also an agile option in the line-out and gets through a tremendous amount of work. The No. 8 shirt should be given to Jamie Heaslip, although he has been given more of a chance behind a dominant pack. Toby Faletau is an outstanding impact player from the bench and the Australian pack will not enjoy seeing his imposing figure on the touchline with 20 minutes or so to go.

Leadership and set-piece ability are crucial in the second-row, so unsurprisingly Gatland should look to veteran Lion Paul O’Connell and Alun-Wyn Jones. The Munster talisman has 85 Irish caps while the Ospreys set-piece guru has 70 Welsh caps to his name. This balance of guile and bulk in the second row will be vital to success in the Test series. So far, the line-out has been unconvincing. However, with two of the best target jumpers in the business, the starting hooker’s job is much easier. Both players featured in the last tour to South Africa and get through plenty of work around the park. Also, with Geoff Parling on the bench, Gatland can call upon a dynamic line-out caller and a real war-horse to close out a Test match.

The Lions front-row suffered early injuries to Cian Healey and Gethin Jenkins, however, Mako Vunipola seems to have made the No.1 shirt his own thanks to his work in the loose. The Saracen prop has plenty of work to do in the scrum, but he has done enough to prove his power with ball in hand. Hooker is a problem position at present, Dylan Hartley would have walked in to the Test team at the moment, however, he is suspended and the battle is between Tom Youngs and Richard Hibbard with Rory Best disappointing in the 14-12 defeat to the Brumbies on Tuesday.  Hibbard just about beats Youngs to the starting shirt as his line-out throwing has been slightly more consistent than his Leicester competitor. At tight-head prop, Dan Cole has impressed both in the loose and in the set-piece. He gives away far fewer penalties than he used to and is adding to his game with important carries in open-play. Adam Jones is a very experienced alternative and perhaps is a stronger scrummager, however, he is a less dynamic player in the loose. The set-piece is crucial in the Test series so Jones' experience just gives him the shirt on past pedigree. Matt Stevens can do a job when called upon, but lacks the dynamism and fitness needed to be really explosive and dangerous at the top-level nowadays.

The halfbacks should be filled by Mike Phillips, who played in the Lions Series in South Africa and Jonathan Sexton, who is bound for Racing Metro next season. Phillips adds a real physical dimension from scrum-half and has proved to be a potent threat around the fringes. He picked up two tries against the Barbarians in Hong Kong and his try-scoring ability should create space for others around him. Sexton seems to have the No.10 shirt to himself without much competition from Owen Farrell who has struggled to find form in the closing stages of the season and in Australia. While the Saracen utility-back has kicked well from the tee, his game management and passing has been poor. Sexton has looked dangerous with ball in hand and has put the Lions in the right areas of the field while playing he ball wide at the right time with real accuracy.  Also, with Leigh Halfpenny in a rich vein of goal-kicking form, Sexton can concentrate on his accuracy with kicking from hand and on unlocking the Australian defence.

Expect to see an entirely Welsh back three if fitness permits: George North, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny have once again proved their value in attack, while looking assured in defence for the majority of the time. Halfpenny’s goal kicking has been outstanding - his metronomic accuracy in the match against Western Force has the Aussies worried about giving away penalties in the Test series. He nailed 9 conversions and two penalties from all over the pitch. Cuthbert has a devastating try-scoring record for Wales with 9 tries in just 18 Tests and he has also started well in Australia with two tries against the Barbarians and one against the Combined Country XV.  North has yet to hit his full potential on this tour as a niggling injury has prevented him from shining. However, when he has played he has created space for his team mates and added much needed physicality in the back-line, especially considering Jamie Roberts will miss the first test due to injury.

In the centres, Brian O’Driscoll proves that he is ageless, despite losing a yard of pace, his runs from deep allow him time to pick perfect running lines and he knows exactly where to position him self in supporting roles. Sadly Roberts misses the first Test due to injury, the qualified Doctor was in fine form and had the No.12 shirt nailed on before he succumbed to a badly pulled hamstring. Luckily, fellow countryman Jonathan Davies is a viable option at 12 or 13, the Scarlet has crossed for a couple of tries this summer and he looks to be distributing the ball well and proving to be a nuisance in defence. England’s Manu Tuilagi has been out with a ‘stinger’ injury to his shoulder, yet may feature from the bench against Australia. The Leicester bulldozer has plenty more to give on this tour, so hopefully he will recover fully in the near future.

With this in mind, my starting British and Irish Lions Test Team would be:

1.       Mako Vunipola

2.       Richard Hibbard

3.       Adam Jones

4.       Alun-Wyn Jones

5.       Paul O’Connell

6.       Tom Croft

7.       Sam Warburton (Captain)

8.       Jamie Heaslip

9.       Mike Phillips

10.   Jonathan Sexton

11.   George North

12.   Jonathan Davies

13.   Brian O’Driscoll

14.   Alex Cuthbert

15.   Leigh Halfpenny (Goal-kicker)

Who do you think has impressed so far and who do you think deserves a starting place? Have you got any thoughts or comments? Post them below or message me on twitter @tommyd91