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Rugby revolutionaries Lions’ ambush of Wallabies was well-planned
The Lions roared, and the Wallabies were like rabbits in the headlights. With simple but effective tactics, the British and Irish Lions proved the predictions wrong to outplay the world champion Australian team in its own backyard. The 29-13 victory in Saturday's first test in Brisbane was an inspired performance by a team that was superior in all areas. The Lions were stronger up front, had more penetration in the midfield and were slicker out wide against an underprepared Australian team. Centers Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Henderson tore the Wallabies to shreds. It was hard to believe the Lions scored four tries against a side that conceded just one five-pointer during the entire 1999 World Cup. Fly half Stephen Larkham, flanker Owen Finegan and fullback Chris Latham were among the worst tacklers in the Australian side. The Lions also dominated the forward exchanges and didn't seem to miss the mobility of the injured Neil Back. Hooker Keith Wood was devastating in the loose and the tight stuff, No. 8 Scott Quinnell scored a well-deserved try, and second-rowers Danny Grewcock and Martin Johnson soared above the opposition. Australia's inexperienced front-row seemed out of its depth. In one way, it could be a blessing that Jeremy Paul's injury at hooker will mean that the more experienced Michael Foley will join the pack. In the line-outs, the Australians were an embarrassment and looked like hesitant schoolboys. They repeatedly lost their own throw and rarely got clean ball for scrum half George Gregan. Gregan was one of his team's better players, but No. 10 Larkham was quite simply awful before leaving the field with an elbow injury. The Aussie backs looked better when Elton Flatley took over in the pivot position. Peter Fitzsimons, the former Wallaby who now writes for The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, is calling for the reinstatement of veteran Tim Horan to the Australian squad for the remaining two tests. Horan, the star of the 1999 World Cup, has retired from international rugby but is back in Brisbane after a successful season for England's Saracens club. Fitzsimons' idea isn't as crazy as it sounds. Even if he were just on the bench, Horan would add a lot to the Australian dressing room. The 30-year-old is a proven winner. Also in the Lions' favor is the fact that two of the three tests are being played away from Australian rugby's traditional homes at bigger, money-spinning venues. After the first test at the Gabba (a cricket ground), the second international will be played in the Australian Rules stronghold of Melbourne. So, the Lions, with their 15,000 traveling supporters, have no discernible disadvantage as the away team. The tourists' New Zealand coach Graham Henry came up with perfect strategy to topple the Wallabies with his side's direct yet dynamic style. No team in recent history has dared try to outplay the world champion in the backs, but that is what the Lions did successfully in Brisbane. There's also no doubt that Martin Johnson's team was far more motivated than the ponderous Australians. The pressure is now on Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen to devise a strategy to address the apparent imbalance between the two teams. It's been said that Australia won't be as ill-prepared the second time around. But the Lions will also have a trick or two up their sleeves. Jason Dasey is co-host of World Sport, the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International.
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