Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii try scrubbed out by TMO in crucial moment as Wallabies lose first Lions Test
Cross-code superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was denied a crucial try in the Wallabies disappointing start to the British and Irish Lions tour, with the visitors claiming a 27-19 victory at Suncorp Stadium.
"It was a clinical display from the Lions," Tim Horan said on Stan Sport.
The Lions were able to dominate the big moments during the first Test and were out to a 10-0 lead early.
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Sione Tuipulotu of the British and Irish Lions celebrates after scoring a try. Getty
Melbourne-born Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu delivered the first dagger, scoring off a beautiful Finn Russell cut-out pass. Russell had hit a penalty goal earlier in the match.
The Wallabies survived an onslaught when the TMO scrubbed out a Lions try in the 20th minute which was originally awarded.
Then Max Jorgensen lit up the stadium, snatching the ball from Lions fullback Hugo Keenan in a contest and running away to score in the right hand corner.
"Unbelievable from Max Jorgensen, that's got the Wallabies fans up at Suncorp Stadium," Tim Horan says.
Max Jorgensen of the Wallabies celebrates scoring a try. Getty
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However, the Lions went into half time with momentum after flanker Tom Curry drove over the line to make it 17-5.
Right before the break, Curry was lucky to avoid a yellow card when he tackled Wallabies five-eighth Tom Lynagh in the air.
"That's cynical, that's a chance to have a crack at a young Wallabies 10," Morgan Turinui said.
After the break, the Lions started like they finished when Dan Sheehan went over in the corner.
"You talk about big moments in games before and after half time, fortunately if you're a Lions supporter they've managed to handle them both," Michael Hooper said.
In the 60th minute, the Wallabies looked like they'd scored through Joseph Suaalii but after a long process, the TMO ruled he should've released the ball.
However, attacking territory was available again and Carlo Tizzano off the bench burrowed over close to the line to make it a 24-12 deficit.
"There is a heartbeat in this Test match now," Horan said.
But the Lions appeared to put the result beyond doubt with a penalty goal in the 75th minute.
Hometown hero Tate McDermott ensured the Wallabies fans weren't too dismayed at full time, scoring right before full time.
Turinui was full of praise for the clinical nature of the Lions' performance.
"Skipped out to a 10-0 lead early on and that's the decisive margin, started both halves by scoring points with their first possession, that's exactly how you want to start big matches, it was super impressive," he said.
