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Maro Itoje and Andy Farrell were in agreement that their team needs to improve after the British and Irish Lions continued their winning ways in Australia with a 52-12 victory over the Queensland Reds on Wednesday.
Toomaga-Allen (7'), Flook (25')
Tries
Freeman (19', 59'), Porter (28'), Merwe (35'), Itoje (44'), Morgan (55'), Jones (64'), Ringrose (84')
McLaughlin-Phillips (8')
Conversions
Russell (19', 29', 36', 45'), Smith (56', 60')
Maro Itoje and Andy Farrell were in agreement that their team needs to improve after the British and Irish Lions continued their winning ways in Australia with a 52-12 victory over the Queensland Reds on Wednesday.
The Lions scored eight tries, but it was the hosts who made the stronger start and opened the scoring.
The Reds also caused the Lions a number of problems at the restart and forced the tourists into giving away nine penalties. However, the Lions pulled away in the second half and conceded no more points after the break.
“It is a bit of a blessing in disguise that we have so many games in quick succession,” Itoje told Sky Sports. “As a team today, we wanted to be better. That was the mantra, and I thought we were a little bit better today.
“We need to be sharper and more accurate. We broke the line loads of times today and a lot of the time we weren’t accurate enough.”
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
Itoje impressed in the lineout and around the breakdown. He also calmed nerves after halftime with the Lions first try of the second half.
Flanker Jac Morgan was the official player of the match after making 18 tackles, and seven carries for 44 metres gained.
The Welshman joined Itoje on the scoresheet, along with Tommy Freeman, who crossed twice, Duhan van der Merwe, Andrew Porter, Huw Jones, and Garry Ringrose.
“It was a good all round performance,” Itoje said. “The first half was a bit tough. It was heavily contested and a bit back and forth for the first 25-30 minutes, but we stayed consistent and were generally better.”
For Farrell, the match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane was a chance to take another step forward towards the tests that start on 19 July.
“I don’t think it was flowing, and a bit stop start at times but when it was on, I thought we played some really good stuff,” Farrell told Sky Sports.
SLOW START
“We got over a bit of a slow start. The Reds came out of the blocks really impressively and dominated that first 10 to 15 minutes, but I though we settled down pretty well and played some good stuff.
“We had a problem with the front of the restarts, and then we had a problem at the back in the first half. That is where we are with the tour. Matches are coming thick and fast, and we are using those matches to fast-track ourselves to where we want to be.”
There are further concerns over the fullback position.
Hugo Keenan, who was due to make his first start had to drop out through illness, and his replacement Elliot Daly had to come off in the second half with an apparent arm injury.
“He’s pretty sore, and we’ll get an X-ray,” Farrell added. “It looks like he’s had a knock to his forearm, so fingers crossed for him.”
