By AAP
The Wallabies have scrambled late in a 27-19 first Test loss after the British and Irish Lions threatened a Brisbane mauling.
Twelve years on from their last Test on Australian soil, it took the visitors just 22 seconds to hit the lead.
Joe Schmidt’s side then conceded after 10 minutes and scrambled desperately to limit the damage in a thunderous Lions first half.
The lead swelled to 24-5 before the hosts controlled the final 30 minutes of the contest, late tries to replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott restoring order ahead of a must-win Melbourne Test next Saturday.
Earlier, the hosts had looked indecisive and impatient as Brisbane again proved a happy hunting ground for a Lions team unbeaten in the city.
Prop Tadhg Beirne was player of the match while flyhalf Finn Russell, flanker Tom Curry, and prop Ellis Genge were the other tormentors in front of a 52,229-strong Suncorp Stadium crowd, mostly drenched in Lions red.
Max Jorgensen scored the Wallabies’ only first-half points, pinching a Jake Gordon box kick and racing 22 metres to score against the run of play.
