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Crows fly high over Suns

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 29 Juni 2013 | 14.23

Tight ... Richard Douglas gets his kick away ahead of Dion Prestia. Source: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

Adelaide moved within one win of the top eight after beating Gold Coast by 28 points on Saturday.

3.5 (23) Q1 1.4 (10)
5.11 (41) Q2 8.7 (55)
9.14 (68) Q3 11.10 (76)
11.17 (83) Q4 16.15 (111)

Gary Ablett

2

Matthew Wright

4

Campbell Brown

2

Josh Jenkins

2

Daniel Gorringe

2

Tom Lynch

2

Steven May

2

Jason Porplyzia

2

Dion Prestia

2

Nathan van Berlo

1

Aaron Hall

1

Patrick Dangerfield

1

Richard Douglas

1

Aidan Riley

1

Brodie Smith

1

Bernie Vince

1

The Crows trailed early to the Suns but used their experience to claim a comfortable 16.15 (111) to 11.17 (83) victory in front of 13,791 fans at Metricon Stadium.

The win came despite the early loss of Brent Reilly with less than minute gone to a dislocated shoulder.

Reilly's injury forced Crows coach Brenton Sanderson to activate his substitute inside the first quarter but replacement Matthew Wright was one of the key players for the visitors.

Superstar midfielder Patrick Dangerfield, who racked up 27 disposals, was at the heart of everything good for the Crows while Brad Crouch and Ricky Henderson were also strong.

Wright booted four goals, including two in as many minutes in the Crows' dominant seven-goal second quarter, while Jason Porplyzia, Josh Jenkins and Thomas Lynch were the other multiple goalkickers for Adelaide with two each.

Adelaide's second term effort overturned a two-goal quarter-time deficit to give the Crows a 14-point halftime lead.

Gold Coast, led by a best-on-ground display by Dion Prestia, fought back to reduce the margin to eight by the final change but the Crows proved too strong in the fourth quarter against a fading Suns.

Prestia was a ball-magnet throughout, racking up a career-best 42 disposals and booting two goals.


Re-live the Crows gutsy win over Gold Coast in our AFL Match Centre, featuring all the stats and SuperCoach scores.


Captain Gary Ablett, with two first-quarter goals and 30 touches, as well as young gun Jaeger O'Meara were also impressive for the Suns.

It wasn't such a good day for Karmichael Hunt, recording just two touches for the game before being subbed at the end of the third quarter in his first game back from a hamstring injury.


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Del Piero rejects French lure

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Going nowhere ... Del Piero will turn his back on interest from France. Source: Szilvasi Attila / News Limited

Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero has rejected a move to French outfit Ajaccio.

The Ligue 1 side recently appointed Del Piero's former Juventus teammate Fabrizio Ravanelli as manager, and had been negotiating with the Sky Blues marquee for the last few weeks, FourFourTwo reports.

Del Piero agreed to the move but has since had a change of heart, believing Australia is the best option for he and his young family for the time being.

A statement on Ajaccio's official website read: "For several weeks now, the club has been in advanced talks with the famous Italian striker Alessandro Del Piero. Aged 38 and currently a Sydney FC player, the striker won't come to AC Ajaccio after all.

"After finding an agreement in principle, Alessandro Del Piero has decided to continue his adventure in Australia for family reasons."


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'Classic track, classic battle'

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 28 Juni 2013 | 14.23

Beware ... the Ducatis have had their air restrictors removed for Imola. Source: SPEED

Imola this weekend marks round seven of 15 in this year's Superbike World Championship. With the Indian race at Buddh possibly likely to end up as an off-season test, this Sunday may indeed be the mathematical half-way point in the championship battle.

We have witnessed many a classic battle around this traditional "old style" venue.

WHAT
Round 7 of the 2013 eni FIM Superbike World Championship at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, ITA.

WHEN
June 29-30, 2013
LIVE and Exclusive in HD on SPEED:
Saturday 29 June at 10:45pm EST
Sunday 30 June at 7:30pm EST

STORYLINES
Panigale-power unleashed
Ducati and Checa have the runs on the board in recent years here at Imola. Ducati have won eight of the last nine WSBK races contested here, and Checa has won five of the last six here. Both are without a win so far this season. But Checa is now 100-percent fit after carrying a shoulder injury all season and, even more importantly, the air restrictors have been removed from the 1200cc Panigales, under the parity rules between the 1200cc twins and the 1000cc fours. That will unleash their true potential at what is probably their strongest circuit.

Track knowledge crucial
Imola is not the style of circuit where you ride from the white line on one side of the track to the other the whole way around. Just like Phillip Island and Suzuka, you have to have the bike pointed in exactly the right direction for the entire lap, or you lose precious tenths of seconds because you just can't make a gain to cover the loss. Combine that with the circuit's quite undulating nature (uphill 9.38%, downhill 9.10%) and the 22 corners (13 rights and 9 lefts) - the most of all circuits on the WSBK calendar - 4,936 metres is a fairly long "very on the edge" lap. Mentally it's a difficult circuit, which why it is so satisfying/enjoyable to get it right for the two, 21 lappers on Sunday. For the numbercrunchers, that's an amazing 462 corners per race!

Nitro Nori back in the saddle
The "Samurai of Slide", "Nitro" Noriyuki Haga is returns for a one-off ride this weekend, replacing Vittorio Iannuzzo aboard the Grillini Dentalmatic BMW. This weekend marks 20 months since his last World Superbike race. The last time Nitro Nori raced here was in 2011 when he came away with two second places, behind Jonathan Rea in Race 1 and Checa in Race 2. He won Race 1 back in 2009. Haga makes it a dozen WSBK race-winners that will line up on the grid on Sunday.

Variety victorious
Twelve races into championship, we've had three different manufacturers win races (Aprilia 5 races, BMW 4, Kawasaki 3), while five different riders have won races (Laverty 4, Sykes 3, Melandri and Davies 2 each, Guintoli 1). On the strength of that, it's going to be a great Sunday night!

RIDER RUNDOWN
Sylvain Guintoli has been the championship leader since he won the season opener at Phillip Island. He hasn't won since, but he has been extremely consistent: six 2nds, two 3rds, two 4ths, one 6th. What has kept him in the lead is that he has scored points in every single race. Fabrizio and Neukichner are the only other riders in championship to do so.

Tom Sykes left Phillip Island with two 5ths to sit fourth in championship, then scored no points in Race 2 at Aragon and Race 2 at Portimao last time out. But his three wins, two 2nds and three 3rds have kept him well within striking distance of Guintoli, heading to Italy just 28 points down on the Aprilia rider. Tom has taken the last five Superpoles on the trot. Can he make it 6? Yes. He was on pole here last year and took his first ever Superpole here in 2010. Two days of testing at Aragon on June 13-14 was a success, concentrating on engine development and chassis settings. He'll be looking for nothing less than a clean sweep at Imola to help erase the thought of that sighting lap crash in Race 2 at Portimao, and close the gap to Guintoli down to less than a race win (25 points).

Coming second in Race 1 and won Race 2 at the season-opener, Aprilia's Eugene Laverty left Phillip Island as joint title leader with teammate Guintoli, both on 45 points. Six races later he sits third, 39 points behind his teammate, and he has some work to do having never been on a WSBK podium at Imola!

Post-Portimao has been the first time all year that BMW's Marco Melandri has been able to train without any injury resrictions. He sits fourth in championship, 57 points from the lead. Looking for a strong weekend to close that gap down, but has never had good results at his home track. He'll be pulling out all stops to change that.

Chaz Davies loves Imola, just like all the other riders, and fancies a podium this weekend !

Loris Baz will benefit from two extra days' experience on Kawasaki's ZX10R, as well as the improvements from testing itself. He's taken one podium this year (Assen, Race 2), hasn't finished lower than eighth, and has just the one DNF (Phillip Island, Race 2). He's ready to step up to the next level, and don't forget he's only 20-years-old.

Jonathan Rea has only two podiums this year, a second in Race 1 at Assen and a third last time out at Portimao. Two DNFs sees him with less than half of Guintoli's points haul of 213, down in 7th on 105 points.

Michel Fabrizio will have the horns out this weekend at his home race! Lots of pressure on himself I think. He's one of just three riders to score points every race, though.

Davide Giugliano's four DNFs is an indicator of how hard he's been trying, and it will be no different this weekend at an Italian round!

Frenchman Jules Cluzel is still coming to terms with the Suzuki, which is getting better all the time. He could have his best weekend of the season so far.

His teammate Leon Camier came third here in 2011 in Race 2 on the Aprilia. He didn't have a good weekend last year on the GSX-R, with a DNF and an eighth.

Max Neukirchner has been consistently disappointed with the bike and its electronics performance, which is holding him back. Like the factory boys, his private Ducati should be better off this weekend without the air restrictor, on much more of a Ducati track with a good rider on it.

2013 hasn't been so great for Carlos Checa, with just seven point scores from 12 races. He's now 100-percent fit for the first time since the opening race, while a parity ruling has removed the air restrictor that has been taking the edge of the Panigale's performance. Carlos has won five of the last six races here, so he should have a good weekend. Not that it'll do much for his championship hopes.

His factory Ducati teammate Ayrton Badovini will be typically "on it" like mad, as another Italian riding on home soil!

Leon Haslam was fast here last year, qualifying fourth on grid and backing that up with a pair of thirds. Hopefully his leg doesn't give him any grief and has a cracker of a weekend.


Catch the World Superbikes at Imola LIVE in HD, Sun 30 June from 7:30pm EST, exclusively on SPEED (512).


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Panic Room: Tiger cub red alert

Young gun ... Nick Vlastuin could be given a rest by Richmond. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Need the best selection whispers and best SuperCoach and betting mail? Step into the Panic Room.

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WHISPERS

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The eyes of the FOX FOOTY SuperCoach world are on Richmond teenager Nick Vlastuin this weekend.

Vlastuin has played just eight matches, but carries the hopes of more than 150,000 players in Australia's biggest fantasy sports game.

With other popular defenders including Grant Birchall, Shannon Hurn and Brett Goodes out, we need Vlastuin more than ever.

The bad news is he is a big chance to take a rest while the Tigers face St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday.

Vlastuin hurt his shin when another player fell on it against the Dogs last weekend and spent the last 16min of the match on the bench nursing the injury. Coach Damien Hardwick said he suffered bruising and our spies tell us he was was limping around the club during the week.

He was named in the side last night but it wouldn't be a surprise if the coaching staff had a change of heart and decided it's not a bad time for the youngster to have a rest to keep him fresh for the run home - and hopefully finals.

The Tigers are adamant another defender, Troy Chaplin, will play despite being carried off last week with a knee injury.

Likewise North Melbourne says forward Lindsay Thomas was "never in doubt" this week despite being subbed out with a hamstring injury against the Dockers. Back him to take his spot against GWS (and probably kick a bag).

St Kilda has made more late changes than any team this season, but they've done a good job of keeping injuries under wraps until game day. Ben McEvoy copped a nasty bump to the head last week - could he be the one to surrender his spot?

The Cats are another team known to swing a late selection move, and they have some handy players named as emergencies - don't be shocked if Nathan Vardy or Billie Smedts (who dominated in the VFL last week) come in at the last minute.

FOX FOOTY SUPERCOACH ALERT

Jay Clark has already alerted the footy public to the existence of Melbourne defender Mitch Clisby - if you desperately need cash to make an upgrade, he could be a great option. But don't forget about Bulldog Lachie Hunter. In his first game last weekend he scored 86 points (15 more than Clisby), he costs just $109,500 and the Dogs play Melbourne and GWS in the next two weeks. Need more convincing? His break-even score is -106.

MONEY MATTERS

Back the Riewoldt cousins to kick six goals or more – they will. And it's $1.91 at Sportsbet.

Lock in Collingwood, Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and Richmond as winners at $2.

Take a nibble at Carlton at the + 18.5 @ $1.91.

And take either side in the Geelong-Fremantle game to win by under 15.5 points @ $2.65.

ON NOTICE: Chris Yarran

He was axed after sooking when he was handed the subs vest against Essendon, and didn't exactly set the world on fire for the Northern Bullants but he's back in the team tonight against Sydney - a game the Blues have to win to reclaim a spot in the eight. With Collingwood and Richmond favourites to record victories, a loss would leave Carlton three games adrift of seventh spot. Yarran can light up this side, as we saw when he inspired the Blues to an upset interstate win against the Eagles in Round 4. But he can't just do it when it suits him.


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'I only focus on one thing'

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 27 Juni 2013 | 14.23

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Experienced ... Terry Campese knows his game inside out. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

For much of his career, Canberra captain Terry Campese has been dogged by crippling long-term injuries.

That may have slowed him down below the waist but in a fascinating interview to air on Fox Sports show Sterlo on Thursday night, he reveals that it may just have made him quicker between the ears.

While Campese can't rely on his legs to get him through a hole with the same ease that he once could, there's no question marks on his ability to think his way through a game - even when he's not in top form.


Tune into Sterlo LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD from 7.30pm (EST) tonight to see the Campese interview in full.


"I can remember that time of my career - it was a time when I was struggling and I thought, 'what's the next best thing I can do for the team, if things aren't coming off for me', and that was to get the ball back, save our energy for attack and defence," Campese tells Sterlo.

"And (now) we've got Sandor (Earl), Blake Ferguson, Jack Wighton and Edrick Lee - these outstanding jumpers - so my thought process in that part of the field, is go to the air.

"And we've been lucky enough to score some great tries through kicks in the air.

"When we're up in that part of the field, we just hit our big, tall targets, and it's been working, so there's no need to go away from that." 


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Fed's Wimbledon loss takes us back

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Memory lane ... Roger Federer's Wimbledon loss takes us back to 2003. Source: Anja Niedringhaus / AAP

The last time Roger Federer missed a grand slam quarter-final iTunes had just launched with 200,000 songs at 99 cents each.

Overnight the world gasped when Federer went down in four sets to world No. 116 Sergiy Stakhovsky at Wimbledon.

The 31-year-old perished 6-7 (5) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 7-6 (8-6) - his earliest defeat at Wimbledon since 2002.

The last time Federer failed to make a quarter-final was in 2003 when he dropped out of the French Open with a  6–7(6–8), 2–6, 6–7(3–7) defeat to Peru's Luis Horna.

It was so long ago that this is was was going on at the time.

- Apple launched the iTunes Music Store with 200,000 songs at 99 cents each in April. Apple also released an updated iPod that was lighter than two CDs and could hold up to 7500 songs.

-  Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King made $1,119,110,941 at the box office - the highest grossing film in 2003.

- We're all about being environmentally friendly now, but back then the hybrid car was still a very foreign concept and Toyota had only just released their first model.

- Gangster rapper 50 Cent was raking in squillions with In Da Club and other hits that topped the charts.

- Facebook wasn't even an idea and Twitter was even further out of reach.

- The smartest phones going around were the kind that you had to flip open to use.

- Just Bieber turned nine. He's 19 now but he still looks nine.


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Fair or Unfair: Dees deserve a pick

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 25 Juni 2013 | 14.23

Priority pick ... do Melbourne deserve another early draft pick? Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

After another disastrous season for Melbourne, debate is raging over whether they deserve another priority draft pick.

Melbourne deserve a priority pick.

Some argue the Demons' plight is exactly what the priority pick system is in place for, while others say that handing them yet another high draft pick is rewarding mediocrity.

Do they deserve another crack at the best young talent in the land or should they just do better with the high draft picks that they've already had in recent years?

Vote in the ME Bank Fair or Unfair poll and tune in to FOX FOOTY's AFL 360 on Tuesday night to listen to Gerard and Robbo debate this week's topic.


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Storm hope Widdop returns for finals

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Hope ... the Storm are confident Gareth Widdop will return for the NRL finals. Source: Brett Crockford / AAP

Gareth Widdop's NRL season may not be over after all with the Storm reporting their star five-eighth could be back for the finals after undergoing successful surgery.

St George Illawarra-bound Widdop appeared to have played his last game for the premiers after dislocating his hip in Monday night's 18-12 loss to Gold Coast Titans.

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But with doctors finding no fractures, there is hope the Great Britain international may still play a part for the Storm in the playoffs - and this year's Rugby League World Cup.

The 24-year-old is still facing at least 12 weeks on the sidelines, but can draw hope from Chris Lawrence's comeback from a similarly horrific injury in 2011.

Lawrence said it took "five or six people'' to put his dislocated hip back in place, but returned so impressively for Wests Tigers that season he also gained selection in the Test team for Australia's 2011 Four Nations campaign.

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Lawrence admitted it was hard to watch as Widdop screamed in agony and punched the Skilled Park turf, but said all was not lost.

"It's a terrible shame for him. It brought back some memories from my injury,'' he said on Tuesday.

"So I know what he's going through. My thoughts are with him. Hopefully his recovery goes well.

"It depends on the results of his scans, I suppose. I was quite lucky with mine.''

Long-term, the Storm may not have to look far for a playmaking replacement for Widdop.

Although veteran half Brett Finch looms as the man most likely to step in for Widdop in the short-term, the performance of debutant Ben Hampton against the Titans shows coach Craig Bellamy has a good prospect coming through.

The former Queensland under-20s captain scored two tries and made 122 metres from 15 runs in a stellar first NRL outing.

Bellamy was particularly impressed with the way the 179cm youngster stood up to some serious physical treatment from the Titans.

"He's only a small kid, but he's tough,'' Bellamy said.

"They got stuck into him and we probably expected that being a small guy and being his first grade debut ... but he didn't lay down.

"I was real proud of his effort.''

Hampton, who filled in at fullback in place of fellow north Queensland product Billy Slater, also won praise from the State of Origin and Test star.

"Great game by Benny Hampton,'' Slater tweeted.

"Sure to hear more of that name.''


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Lions hold off wounded Wallabies

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 23 Juni 2013 | 14.23

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Thriller ... the Lions celebrate after Kurtley Beale misses the match-winning kick. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

A brilliant two-try debut from Israel Folau wasn't enough for the battered Wallabies who fell 23-21 to the British and Irish Lions in an epic first Test battle on Saturday night.

2

Tries

2

Israel Folau 13' George North 26'
Israel Folau 35' Alex Cuthbert 49'

1

Conversions

2

James O'Connor 15' Leigh Halfpenny 28'
Leigh Halfpenny 50'

3

Penalties

3

James O'Connor 52' Leigh Halfpenny 25'
Kurtley Beale 62' Leigh Halfpenny 32'
Kurtley Beale 68' Leigh Halfpenny 66'

In a gripping contest, a courageous Australia almost fought back from an eight-point second-half deficit but Kurtley Beale missed two penalty goal attempts in the final five minutes that would have stolen the win.

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Beale had edged the Wallabies to within two points with 13 minutes left in front of a record Suncorp Stadium crowd of 52,499, but he skewed his first match-winning attempt and then slipped as he fired off a last-minute shot from 45m.

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The reserve fullback, in his first-class return following his second suspension for alcohol issues, shouldn't shoulder all the blame as poor goalkicking severely cost the home side throughout.

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With first-choice kicker Christian Lealiifano taken off on a stretcher in the first minute, five-eighth James O'Connor stepped up but missed two attempts in the opening eight minutes.

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O'Connor also missed a kickable conversion from Folau's second try, meaning the Wallabies left 14 points in total out on the field.


Miss something? Re-live all the action with Match Centre, featuring video highlights!


In contrast, Lions' radar boot Leigh Halfpenny slotted five from six.

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There was little in the invigorating contest as momentum swung back and forward and Folau produced one of the best Test debuts by crossing twice in the first half and also saving a try.

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The Australian scrum also stepped up when required, spoiling the Lions ball five metres out late in the game and also forcing the late penalty for Beale's failed shot at glory.

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The Lions seemed to be in control as they jumped to a 20-12 lead in the 50th minute when winger Alex Cuthbert brushed off Michael Hooper and then Beale to score a try which had a hint of obstruction with Brian O'Driscoll running into O'Connor.

The carnage for the home side didn't end with Lealiifano, who was knocked out in tackling opposite number Jonathan Davies.

Berrick Barnes (jaw) and Pat McCabe (neck) were also replaced, forcing flanker Hooper to play in the midfield for the last 35 minutes.

In a magnificent first half, the superstar wingers of both sides shone with Folau's double plus Welsh giant George North scoring a sensational 60m solo try.

It was stand-out halfback Will Genia who sparked Folau's opening try with a superb 80m counter-attack by taking a quick tap and bamboozling the Lions' thin defence, before grubber kicking to the former league international and AFL flop.

But the home side's 7-0 lead didn't last long as the tourists gained the ascendancy in the set pieces and North punished a poor high kick by Barnes by blitzing two chasers and then stepping around Barnes to score.

The Welsh 21-year-old almost had a second five-pointer four minutes later but was denied by Folau who held him up in the left corner and his elbow landed on the sideline.

Genia, again, started Folau's second try by wrapping around Kane Douglas and quick hands had the lanky Waratah in space and he burnt Jonny Sexton and Alex Corbisiero to cross.


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Wallabies v Lions: Brissy breakdown

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Review ... Wallabies star Kurtley Beale after missing the match-winning penalty. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

There was no better advertisement for rugby union than the incredible exhibition of skill, heart and determination on display in the British and Irish Lions win over the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium.

Rarely has there been so much hype surrounding a three Test series and the contest in Brisbane lived up to all expectations.

Foxsports.com.au reviews the thrilling first Test.

THE MATCH

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Both teams showed how desperate they were to secure the crucial first win of the three-match series. It was a physical contest from the first collision with Wallabies debutant Christian Lealiifano colliding with the hip of opposition number Jonathan Davies. The impact of the Brumbies sharpshooter being stretchered off was immediate as James O'Connor took over the kicking duties. O'Connor missed two early penalties, but the misses were soon forgotten when Will Genia chanced his hand with a quick tap, travelling 80 meters downfield to send another Wallabies debutant, Israel Folau, over his first Test try. Two penalties from Lions' hitman Leigh Halfpenny and a brilliant solo try from his Welsh teammate George North put the tourist back in front. The Wallabies had their chance to take the halftime lead after Folau scored his second incredible try, but O'Connor missed his third kick of the night. After the break, Alex Cuthbert sliced through the Wallabies defensive line, brushing off several players on his way to the try-line. The Wallabies were always chasing from here, but kept in touch with penalties. Kurtley Beale had the chance to win the match twice. On the second occasion the Wallabies' scrum earn a tight-head penalty, but as the fulltime siren went Beale slipped as he connected with the ball. What a game!

TURNING POINT

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The Wallabies had three backline stars stretchered from the field and another leave it late in the game. At one stage in the game Michael Hooper was playing inside centre and replacement halfback Nick Phibbs was grazing on the wing. But it was debutant Lealiifano's absence that really hurt the Wallabies. O'Connor and Beale missed a combined total of 14 points from penalties and a conversion which ultimately cost the Wallabies victory in Brisbane. Lealiifano was selected by Deans for his ability to read the game, his solid defence and his place-kicking prowess.

LIONS STANDOUT

Jonathan Sexton. The Irish five-eighth was simply outstanding. He has an uncanny but effective style, with the ability to control the tempo of the game. Sexton stood so flat when taking on the Wallabies' defensive line that it attracted two or three defenders, creating acres of space for his support players. His pinpoint open-field kicking put a massive amount of pressure on the Wallabies' back-three and forced the homeside's forwards backwards. His variety constantly had the Wallabies' defence in two minds.

WALLABIES STANDOUT(S)

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How do you separate Genia and Folau? The Wallabies' little general was in everything; covering tackles, creating tries and controlling a breakdown that was constantly under pressure from the Lions. Without Genia the Wallabies could have been facing a much bigger scoreline at the final siren. Was Folau's Wallabies' debut the greatest of all-time? That is a debate best decided in the pub. He is such an incredible athlete. All of Folau's attributes were on display when he scored his two first half tries; power, skill, speed and balance.

WHERE TO NOW?

There are no beds left in the Wallabies' casualty ward. Lealiifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe and Berrick Barnes will all undergo scans. The Wallabies found a nice balance to their side in the first Test and need to reassess their team for the do-or-die battle in Melbourne. Will Quade Cooper come into the side? O'Connor didn't set the world on fire and was completely out-played by his opposite number. Beale showed glimpses of why he is considered one of the most dangerous players in world rugby. Does he start at fullback or switch with O'Connor? There will no doubt be a number of backline changes for the second Test. The Wallabies pack held their own against a monster pack and should stay unchanged. The Lions team should be one to 15 for the Melbourne Test, resting several frontline players for the Rebels game.


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