Lions Behind In Crucial Encounter

The first try came after three minutes when Hodges touched down Darren Lockyer’s kick into the in-goal area, before the lead was extended with Australia’s expansive passing allowing Mark Gasnier to score at the corner.

The Lions managed to get a foothold into the game, but it was 28 minutes before they could get onto the scoreboard – a loose ball hacked on by Danny McGuire to go over the line virtually unopposed.

But the hoped for comeback did not emerge and the Kangaroos added a third try to their tally when Mark O’Meley got the ball out of a tackle for Karmichael Hunt to touch down, leaving the half-time score at 18-4.

It looks as though Great Britain’s Tri-Nations hopes will have to be put on hold for the foreseeable future – the game is now Australia’s to lose, and they don’t look like losing.