The China Mail - Lions tame gutsy Brumbies to make it four straight wins

On a frigid Canberra night, the visitors started slowly but found their groove as they count down to the first Test, building on a 19-10 half-time lead to bank a fourth consecutive win since landing in Australia.

In the Lions' previous two games against the Brumbies, Australia's top Super Rugby side, only two points had separated them each time -- the tourists won 30-28 in 2001 and lost 14-12 in 2013.

This time the Lions were convincing winners as players jostle for position in Andy Farrell's team for the opening Wallabies Test in Brisbane on July 19.

After two statement wins over Western Force and Queensland Reds, the tourists were scrappy against the NSW Waratahs, struggling to convert territory and possession into points.

In response, Farrell named his strongest side of the tour so far and they were more cohesive, marshalled by English skipper Maro Itoje.

They cut down on the handling errors and showed more attacking intent under the guidance of Scottish playmaker Finn Russell, although the defence was leaky with the hosts' crossing four times.

While the Brumbies were without their top players, who are on Australia duty, they still boasted plenty of firepower and had a brilliant start.

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan gave away a penalty and the Brumbies launched into a rolling maul that saw Tuaina Taii Tualima burrow over after just four minutes.

The tourists woke from their slumber and levelled 10 minutes later when Bundee Aki broke the defence, with Russell luring two defenders before offloading for lock Chessum to dot down.

They should have had another try soon after but Ireland winger James Lowe failed to ground the ball and the opportunity went begging.

Having lost Elliot Daly to a broken arm last week, there was a further fullback blow for the Lions when Blair Kinghorn went off in the half for a head injury assessment and did not return, with Smith replacing him.

The Lions dialled up the pressure and Lowe had another chance on the half-hour mark, which this time he took after sharp hands from Sheehan and Jack Conan.

Russell added the extras for a 12-5 lead, but the Brumbies kept coming and struck back with another well-deserved try, courtesy of winger Corey Toole.

But a goal-line dropout by the Brumbies as the hooter sounded cost them, with the Lions gathering and attacking the line, with Smith finishing for a 19-10 lead at the break.

An early second-half try to Garry Ringrose, who got on the end of a Smith grubber kick, stretched their advantage to 26-10, but the hosts again hit back when substitute Hudson Creighton scythed through the defence.

The Lions did not panic and a Russell penalty increased their buffer before a converted try by Josh van der Flier put the game beyond reach.

S.Davis--ThChM