MELBOURNE: The British and Irish Lions maintained their momentum ahead of Saturday’s second Test with a comprehensive 35-0 win over the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne yesterday.
The mid-week team bounced back from their upset loss to the ACT Brumbies last week to score five converted tries, outclassing the under-strength Australian Super Rugby outfit to keep the tourists on a high ahead of their potentially decisive Test match against the Wallabies.
The Lions won last weekend’s opening Test 23-21 in Brisbane and can clinch their first series in 16 years with victory over the Wallabies this weekend.
“A lot of those players you could see some of the combinations from their time together after the disappointment of last week, so we’re really pleased and it keeps the momentum ahead of Saturday,” Lions head coach Warren Gatland said.
“It also puts a bit of pressure on us as coaches and selectors for the next couple of days in terms of selection.
“But I’m really pleased with the result. The set piece was good, we defended well and I thought the loose forwards were good.”
It was the Lions 100th tour win in Australia and the result was never in doubt after they led 14-0 at half-time and powered on with another three converted tries in the second half. The Lions have now won seven of their eight tour games.
Several Lions players pressed their claims for a place in this weekend’s match with Irish flanker Sean O’Brien scoring a try and impressing in his 55 minutes on the field before he was replaced.
Tries were also scored by Conor Murray, Sean Maitland and Ben Youngs, along with a penalty try, while Owen Farrell kicked three conversions and Stuart Hogg two.
The under-strength Rebels were missing their three Wallabies, James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and Nick Phipps, while Scott Higginbotham was out injured.AFP
