SBW orchestrates win over Manly

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Sonny Bill ... produces another masterful performance ... playing at five-eighth! Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

The Sydney Roosters are making a habit of winning with their backs against the wall after taking care of Manly 18-12 to rise into second spot on the NRL ladder.

4 Tries 2
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6'	Jamie Lyon 48'
Jake Friend 26'	George Rose 77'
Michael Jennings 53'
Michael Jennings 70'
0 Conversions 2
	Jamie Lyon 49'
	Jamie Lyon 77'
1 Penalties 0
Boyd Cordner 60'

Having taken care of Canterbury last week without their NSW State of Origin stars, the Roosters on Monday night produced another stellar defensive effort to down the Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium - despite playing almost the entire second half with just two fit reserves.

		W	L	D	B	PD	Pts
1	Rabbitohs	13	2	0	1	177	28
2	Roosters	11	4	0	1	145	24
3	Storm	10	4	1	1	95	23
4	Sea Eagles	7	6	1	2	67	19
5	Titans	8	7	0	1	17	18
6	Sharks	7	7	0	2	-16	18
7	Bulldogs	8	7	0	1	-23	18
8	Knights	7	8	0	1	71	16
9	Panthers	6	8	0	2	36	16
10	Warriors	7	8	0	1	-64	16
11	Raiders	7	8	0	1	-66	16
12	Broncos	6	9	0	1	-5	14
13	Cowboys	6	9	0	1	-17	14
14	Tigers	6	9	0	1	-157	14
15	Dragons	5	10	0	1	-79	12
16	Eels	3	11	0	2	-181	10

Daniel Mortimer and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck left the field with concussion either side of the halftime break after ugly head knocks - Tuivasa-Sheck's collision also resulting in Manly forward James Hasson being taken to hospital with bleeding on the eye.

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While the Roosters were short-handed, they did still have Sonny Bill Williams on their side, the game's biggest five-eighth once again showcasing his playmaking skills to engineer three of his side's four tries.

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NSW centre Michael Jennings scored a second-half double - including the clincher 10 minutes from time when he ran onto a delightful Williams pass to kill off Manly's slender hopes.

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Williams came up with the key play for Tuivasa-Sheck's opening try after just seven minutes, but it was the defensive effort in the ensuing 15 minutes which showed just why the Roosters are a genuine premiership force.

Manly enjoyed eight straight sets on the Roosters line but never really threatened the scoreboard, the defensive effort in contrast to that which the Sea Eagles showed when Jake Friend waltzed over from 20 metres.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted his side's defensive stand in the opening half set up the win.

"It's hard, you don't want those sets but you get a gauge on where you're at after those eight sets defensively whether you're on or not.

"You can often feel in the first 20 minutes whether you are defending well for the night and that certainly gave us a good gauge.''

Sea Eagles utility Jamie Buhrer dropped the ball over the line after the halftime siren under great defensive pressure from Aidan Guerra but, when Jamie Lyon scored eight minutes after the restart, the visitors found life.

Jennings took some air out of their sails when he scored five minutes later as the Roosters ran it on the last, the home side going out by more than a converted try when fill-in goalkicker Boyd Cordner landed his only goal of the night on the back of a controversial penalty.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, playing for the first time since being sent off in the last meeting between the two sides, claimed he had been taken high by Justin Horo, the Roosters delaying a scrum long enough to allow the video referee to intervene and award the penalty.

Manly coach Geoff Toovey was dumbfounded by the decision - particularly given Brett Stewart appeared to be taken out in mid air a minute later with no penalty going his side's way.

"If they are going to do it once, then bring it in,'' Toovey said of the video referee intervening.

"It's either in or it's out.''

Asked whether the video referee was having too much sway on the game, Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon said: "I think so, on occasions like that when you (the referee) are a metre or two away.

"I think he's been refereeing enough now to make a decision like that on the spot.''

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Siddle left out of final tour game

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Left out ... Peter Siddle and Usman Khawaja won't play in Australia's final tour game. Source: Michael Steele / Getty Images

Peter Siddle and Usman Khawaja won't get another chance to find form ahead of the first Ashes Test after being left out of Australia's final tour match in Worcester starting on Tuesday.

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Fast bowler Siddle's omission could be to manage his workload but things look much graver for Khawaja, with Phil Hughes, Ed Cowan and potentially David Warner seeming to have the jump on him.

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Left-arm Tasmanian quick James Faulkner gets another chance to impress against Worcestershire, strengthening the possibility Australia could play him as a bowling allrounder in addition to three quicks for the opening Test.

Fellow fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Jackson Bird have also been picked for their first appearance of the tour against Worcester, as they too push their cases for selection for the first Test at Trent Bridge starting on July 10.

Siddle struggled on the Australia A tour and, against Somerset last week, he was unable to find his rhythm.

His omission from Worcester means he'll remain under a shadow of doubt heading into the first Test.

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If Harris or Bird can snatch their opportunity, new coach Darren Lehmann might elect to go with form rather than proven experience.

Lehmann has said Siddle's reputation as a leader and workhorse for the side wouldn't necessarily be enough to guarantee selection, with six quicks vying for selection.

Harris is injury prone and would have to get through the Worcester game unscathed, but he's a potential weapon on the fast and seaming wicket in Nottingham.

Siddle isn't out of contention, though, and selectors will certainly know what he can offer.

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Run machine Chris Rogers is into the team and is likely to bat at No.3 with Cowan to open alongside Shane Watson.

Allrounder Watson will also bowl in the match.

Hughes has been retained in the line-up after making back-to-back half centuries against Somerset in the opening tour match.

Khawaja made 73 last week against Somerset but the fact he hasn't been picked for another hit doesn't bode well.

It seems Cowan is preferred over Khawaja with Rogers, usually an opener, likely to play No.3 in the Tests.

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If Khawaja was indeed left out in Nottingham, it would continue a frustrating run on the periphery for the left-hander, after he failed to play a Test during the Australian summer or the tour of India.peLehmann has stated the suspended Warner remains firmly in contention should Australia pick six specialist batsmen at Trent Bridge.

Steve Smith has also been picked to play in the middle order in Worcester and could rocket into contention with a hundred, while spinner Ashton Agar will play with first-choice Nathan Lyon rested as 12th man.

Skipper Michael Clarke will get his second hit of the tour in a strong sign his troublesome back is in good nick heading into the Ashes.

Clarke looked sharp in his first innings in three months in Taunton.

Australians (batting order unconfirmed): Shane Watson, Ed Cowan, Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke (capt), Phil Hughes, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Nathan Lyon (12th).

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Wallabies made to sweat Horwill verdict

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Nerves ... James Horwill and the Wallabies made to wait until Tuesday morning for a verdict. Source: Mike Keating / AAP

Wallabies skipper James Horwill will not know until Tuesday whether he will play in Saturday night's series-deciding third Test against the British and Irish Lions.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) appeal into Horwill's dismissed rucking charge from the first Test has been adjourned after close to three hours of evidence and legal argument on Monday night.

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Canadian arbitrator Graeme Mew stopped to consider his findings around 10.10pm (AEST) and rugby officials indicated he won't hand down his judgement at least for a couple of hours.

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Horwill and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans left the hearing, held over a video link with Mew in Toronto, and turned in for the night at their Sydney team hotel.

The pair are due to front the media early on Tuesday morning.

Horwill was originally exonerated by New Zealand judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC last Sunday night after being cited for stamping on rival lock Alun Wyn Jones in the 23-21 first Test loss.

The Australian Rugby Union is incensed at the appeal - the first the IRB has launched against a player being cleared by one of their judicial officers - and has fought for their captain's availability with a crack legal team.

The Lions have already lost their captain for the ANZ Stadium decider after flanker Sam Warburton was ruled out with a hamstring injury on Monday afternoon.

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Resignation unrelated to Arthur: Pup

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Michael Clarke's ... selector resignation unrelated to Arthur's axing. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

It has certainly been a big couple of weeks.

To have Mickey Arthur sacked as our coach by Cricket Australia came as a shock to everyone in the touring squad.

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But to have Darren Lehmann named as coach was exciting for all of us and things have started well for him with a strong win over Somerset last Saturday.

I've got a fantastic relationship with Mickey. I was very close to him and think he's a great man. He's a very loyal, very caring person.

I found his axing quite tough and Mickey was obviously hurting at the time.

To hear about the passing of his mum made a difficult situation far worse. I really feel for Mickey at the moment.

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I've been in close contact with him in South Africa to make sure he's going okay.

I played a lot with Darren and really admire the way he goes about his cricket.

We have very similar mindsets about training hard, always striving to improve when we're working on our game and playing attacking, attractive cricket.

We play to win. That will always come first. We will be aggressive and try to take the game forward at every opportunity.

Darren wants us to enjoy the game and emphasises quality over quantity at training.

When we played together almost a decade ago he was one of the leaders around the group.

He never had the official title of captain or vice-captain but he always had a big input and everyone respected his views.

Darren welcomed me with open arms into the team and certainly played a big part in the start of my career.

I'm really excited to be working with him. The last week's been great getting back to talking about cricket together like we did when I played with him.

My decision to resign as a selector had nothing to do with Mickey being sacked.

I have been thinking about it since our tour of India, sending an email to James Sutherland and Pat Howard shortly after our return suggesting I stand down.

They did not think the timing was right at that stage but with the appointment of Darren as coach me stepping down as a selector became part of the team's fresh beginning.

Being a selector is a full time job with a lot of meetings, phone hook ups and constant conversations with players inside and outside the team.

I felt my energies would be better spent working within the team.

I have always worked hard on strengthening my back since it began to give me problems as a teenager and I was glad to be able to get through the four-day match against Somerset, spending a total of two and a half hours at the crease without any trouble.

I'm looking forward to taking on Worcester from Tuesday in our last first class match before the first Test begins at Trent Bridge on July 10.

With almost all our batsmen and bowlers showing good form against Somerset selection for the first Test is going to be tough.

We are determined to give as many players as possible an opportunity so almost everyone who missed out against Somerset will play against Worcester, giving us a very different team to last week.

But I think that's great.

With many in our Ashes squad playing in Australia A's victory over Gloucester a fortnight ago and our recent triumph over Somerset, we can feel the momentum building.

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Aussie wins stage in photo finish

Australia's Simon Gerrans (L) crosses the finish line in a Stage 3 photo finish. Source: AP

Australia's Simon Gerrans of the Orica-GreenEdge team won the third stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday (AEST) in a sprint finish at the end of the 145-kilometre ride from Ajaccio to Calvi on Corsica.

Gerrans edged out Slovakia's Peter Sagan, last year's green jersey winner, in a photo finish with Spain's Jose Joaquin Rojas in third, earning his team the distinction of becoming Australia's first team to notch a stage win in the landmark event.

Belgium's Jan Bakelants, winner of the second stage, holds on to the overall race leader's yellow jersey by a one-second margin, while Sagan's second place allows him to take the green jersey for the best sprinter from Marcel Kittel.

The German Kittel had won the opening stage of the race in Bastia on Saturday.

Gerrans' victory is his second in the Tour, with his previous stage win dating back to 2008. His is the first win for an Australian in the race since Cadel Evans won the fourth stage en route to taking the yellow jersey in 2011.

His triumph is also a welcome piece of good publicity for his Orica-GreenEdge team, who were caught at the centre of controversy on Saturday when their bus became stuck under a gantry at the first-stage finish line.

Gerrans' sprint success came at the end of a stage that was short but tricky, with the route up Corsica's west coast featuring practically no flat sections and a total of four climbs, most notably the testing category two ascent of the Col de Marsolino just 13.5 kilometres from the finish in Calvi.

That climb saw the peloton catch a breakaway of five riders, led by Dutchman Lieuwe Westra and Simon Clarke, a teammate and compatriot of Gerrans.

The Corsican section of the 100th Tour is now over, and the riders were due to depart for the French mainland later on Monday ahead of a short team time-trial in Nice on Tuesday.

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Gutsy Tigers claw away Raiders

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David Nofoaluma ... scores for the Tigers during the NRL round 15 game between Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Acting Wests Tigers captain Benji Marshall delivered a couple of big plays as his eventful week ended with a 17-12 NRL win over travel-sick Canberra at Campbelltown Stadium.

3 Tries 2
David Nofoaluma 13'	Sandor Earl 27'
Joel Reddy 65'	Anthony Milford 58'
Tim Simona 75'
1 Conversions 2
Benji Marshall 67'	Jarrod Croker 28'
	Jarrod Croker 59'
1 Penalties 0
Benji Marshall 48'
1 Field Goals 0
Benji Marshall 72'

Marshall kicked a match-tying sideline conversion and edged the Tigers ahead 13-12 with a 73rd minute field goal on Saturday night.

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Marshall said he was happy to end a difficult week on a high.

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"I just wanted to do my job today and that was to lead by example and control the game," Marshall said.

"I thought last week I let the control get away from me in the game, so I just wanted to get that back."

Tigers coach Mick Potter described Marshall's effort as ``a great captain's knock".

"I said to him after the game that he really led by example,'' Potter said.

"He's been trying, it's not lack of trying, and I think it just came together tonight."

Potter said he thought the report on Lawrence was the wrong call and suggested he felt the same way about the Milford try.

Canberra coach David Furner lamented opportunities missed by his side, especially in the first half when Brett White and David Shillington both lost the ball trying to get over the Tigers line.

"What we've been very good at is just being patient and I didn't think we were," Furner said.

"A couple of times there forcing offloads, not getting to the areas where we needed to.

"The more the game went on, the more we gave them an opportunity to win it."

Winger Tim Simona sealed the Tigers' win two minutes later when he twisted his body and planted the ball over the line for a try.

The Tigers scored three tries to two in a mistake-marred game, which was played in heavy rain in the second half.

It was a seventh loss in eight away games for Canberra this season and thwarted their bid to win three straight for the first time this year.

Over the past week Marshall had come under criticism for missing several tackles in the Tigers' last game, while the latter part of his week was dominated by more headlines about his ongoing contractual negotiations.

Canberra led 6-4 at halftime.

The Tigers were first to strike, with winger David Nofoaluma crossing in the 13th minute after some slick passing.

Elusive fullback Reece Robinson set up both Canberra tries.

He combined with Josh McCrone and Jack Wighton to send Sandor Earl over in the first half.

There was a tinge of controversy about the try Robinson set up for Anthony Milford in the 58th minute.

Tigers centre Blake Ayshford appeared to have grounded Robinson in a legitimate tackle, but the Raiders fullback quickly bounced back up and continued his run.

Marshall and halfback Curtis Sironen set up Joel Reddy for the Tigers' second try.

Marshall landed a tough sideline conversion to again level the score.

Hit by a crippling injury list, the Tigers lost hooker Masada Iosefa in the 33rd minute with a broken forearm.

Tigers centre Chris Lawrence came off the bench and returned to action after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since round seven, but was placed on report for a shoulder charge.

Joel Thompson was also put on report for a shoulder charge on Marshall in the last few minutes.

That was tame compared to the end of the Holden Cup match, which featured an old fashioned all-in brawl.

Mitchell Barnett (Raiders) and Nathan Brown (Tigers) were sent off, Kyle Lovett (Tigers) and Tahakilu Pangai (Raiders) were sin-binned and Brenden Santi (Tigers) was placed on report.

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NRL wins its first fight hands down

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Fight breaks out ... between Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers in Holden Cup. Source: RENEE MCKAY / AAP

It was only a matter of time before the NRL's "one punch and you're off" edict got its first test case.

Less than a week after this newspaper splashed the story across the front page, rugby league had its first punch-up at Campbelltown last night.

And to the NRL's credit, four players from the Wests Tigers-Canberra Raiders Holden Cup match got their marching orders - two players were sent off and two to the sin bin.

The referees were outstanding. No questions asked - they just did their job and got rid of the offenders and then put the entire brawl on report.

It sends a clear message to every rugby league player at every level of the game.

If you want to fight, take up boxing.

If you want to play rugby league, you play by the rules. It's a tough enough game without the violence we witnessed on Saturday night.

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Tigers outclass Western Bulldogs

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Routine ... Bachar Houli fires a handball in Richmond's comprehensive win over Western Bulldogs. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

Richmond's bid for a long-awaited finals berth is gathering pace, after smashing the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

The 17.19 (121) to 8.13 (61) victory was the Tigers' third straight and the second time this season they have made light work of the Dogs, having also belted them by 67 points in round three.

3.3 (21)	Q1	4.8 (32)
5.9 (39)	Q2	8.13 (61)
5.11 (41)	Q3	13.16 (94)
8.13 (61)	Q4	17.19 (121)

Jake Stringer 2	Jack Riewoldt 3
Matthew Boyd 1	Reece Conca 2
Adam Cooney 1	Shaun Grigg 2
Daniel Giansiracusa 1	Tyrone Vickery 2
Lachlan Hunter 1	Trent Cotchin 1
Liam Jones 1	Aaron Edwards 1
Robert Murphy 1	Nathan Foley 1
	Bachar Houli 1
	Daniel Jackson 1
	Dustin Martin 1
	Nick Vlastuin 1
	Matt White 1

Bachar Houli and Brett Deledio again gave Richmond strong drive off halfback, despite the close attention of Bulldog taggers Nick Lower and Liam Picken respectively.

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Midfielder Dustin Martin gathered 23 disposals, kicked a classy goal in the second quarter and set up several others with penetrating passes.

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Former Port Adelaide key defender Troy Chaplin again showed his worth as a recruit for the Tigers, keeping Bulldog spearhead Liam Jones quiet to lead a tight Richmond defence, while hard man Steven Morris blanketed Dogs livewire Luke Dahlhaus.

Jack Riewoldt kicked three goals.

The win lifts Richmond to sixth spot, above Collingwood on percentage and two games clear of ninth-placed Carlton, with the Tigers on an 8-4 record.

Only twice in the past three decades have Richmond been as well or better-placed 12 games into a season, in 1995 and 2001 - also the only two years they've played finals in that stretch.

Despite being on top throughout, the Tigers took time to put the Bulldogs away.

They kicked three of the first four goals, but followed that with a string of five consecutive behinds, allowing the Dogs to stay within 11 points at the first change.

Richmond opened the second quarter with four quick goals, but the Bulldogs steadied late in the half and an after-the-siren goal to Jake Stringer from a 50m penalty kept the halftime margin to 22.

But the Tigers blasted 53 points clear with 5.3 to two behinds in the decisive third quarter.

Big man Ty Vickery kicked two goals for the term, including one from a clever pack mark with the flight of the ball.

The last quarter became Tiger party time, with Daniel Jackson snapping a banana goal he could barely believe himself.

But the mood soured slightly when Chaplin went off with a leg injury late in the game, while fellow Tigers defender David Astbury was icing his left hamstring after being subbed off in the third term.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said Chaplin's knee injury wasn't believed to be serious.

"Structurally we think he's fine, we just have to work our way through it, whether he twisted his knee we're not too sure,'' he said.

"He seems to think he'll be fine but we'll get some tests.''

Hardwick said he was disappointed Richmond wasted chances in the first half but was pleased to finish off with a 60-point win.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said his young side was simply outclassed.

"We got beaten by a team that's better than us, quite clearly better than us,'' he said.

"They're a good team, they broke our tackles, tackled us, kicked the ball better, got the ball into space and set up some nice goals.''

Captain Matthew Boyd was the Dogs' best, gathering 34 touches and keeping opposing skipper Trent Cotchin quiet, while fellow midfielder Ryan Griffen (38 disposals) was also prolific.

Click here to see all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Lions hold off wounded Wallabies

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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.

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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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