This game was always going to be the first real challenge for the touring Brits & Irishmen in Australia - and they passed with flying colours against a very spirited and determined Reds side bereft of their Wallabies away preparing for the tests.
One Reds was desperate to show he should have been there. Quade Cooper was fired up right from the start and was at his very best and very worst. He led his team to play a fast, exhausting type of rugby in the first half but still showed many of the flaws which Robbie Deans had indicated was the reason why Melbourne Rebels James O'Connor and not Tokoroa-born Quade Cooper is his first choice pivot.
The first half was brilliant even if it went 10 minutes over time due to the overcautious TMO. Luke Morahan's marvellous individual try will be the enduring highlight from this game.
The second half was dampened by the Brisbane rain although the Reds kept pushing for a way back into the game. Halfback Nick Frisby scored a deserved consolation try to give the Reds some hope of getting away with what would have been a famous draw for the Queenslanders.
Nevertheless, the Lions showed impressive composure when the Reds were hot and attacking their goalline and ultimately deserved the win. Their forward pack still looked strong despite losing original starter and the experienced Welsh prop, Gethin Jenkins for the tournament - he joins Cian Healy as the first two injuries of the tour.
The Lions face a bit of a breather - a combined NSW/Queensland Country XV should really be the easiest test for the Lions, meaning this could be the first indication of the side to take on the Wallabies in a fortnight.
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