A red army walked through Queen Street Mall on its way to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. They were joined by the British and Irish Lions, who continued their march on the field as they ate up the Wallabies to head to Melbourne with a one-nil series lead following their 27-19 win.

The Lions’ win was set up by Finn Russell, who pulled the strings beautifully behind a surging forward pack that dominated the Wallabies in every facet of the game.

It left Joe Schmidt white and glum in the face as Australian rugby’s worst fears came to life.

With the Wallabies down on troops and down on time, the men in gold were gobbled up by the Lions who flexed their muscles and rarely looked in trouble.

How could they? With heavy-hitters Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in the stands, the Wallabies couldn’t get over the gain line as the red wall held firm off the back of some ferocious defence by Tom Curry – the English back-rower, who fended away Jac Morgan for the No.7 jersey and then tore into the home side.

Sione Tuipulotu celebrates after scoring the British & Irish Lions’ opening try against the Wallabies during their first-up win at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

In stark contrast, the Lions pounded away at the Wallabies in the first as prop Tadhg Furlong and centre Sione Tuipulotu helped the tourists open up a 17-5 half-time lead.

Needing to strike first in the second half, it took the Lions less than a minute to pick off another lineout and moments later hooker Dan Sheehan showed his athleticism by touching down out wide to open up a 19 point lead.

While the Wallabies refused to go away and hit back through Carlo Tizzano in the 68th minute, any hope of a late victory was emphatically ended soon after as the Lions made Andrew Kellaway pay for a knock on deep in his territory as Marcus Smith banged over a settling three points in front of his travelling army.

Some typical brilliance from replacement Tate McDermott around the ruck then ensured the Wallabies left with some credibility after winning the second half. But as always, there are two halves in rugby and Schmidt’s men left themselves too much work.

“We’re delighted with the win,” Lions skipper Maro Itoje said. “It was a tough Test match.”

Max Jorgensen was one of the Wallabies’ best against the Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Brisbane. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Wilson, who shouldered much of the ball-carrying work in the absence of Skelton and Valetini, was naturally a frustrated man after leading out his side in front of 52,229 fans.

“It’s obviously disappointing,” the No.8 said. “We came here wanting to win, but the Lions were good and credit to them.

“They won a few big moments and it’s something we want to do and we’ll have to do that next week.”

The defeat was the third straight series opening defeat for the Wallabies since 2001, having lost at the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium in 2013. It leaves Schmidt’s men needing to repeat the feat achieved by the last two Wallabies coaches Rod Macqueen and Robbie Deans of beating the Lions in the second Test next week to keep the series alive.

“Nothing changes,” Wilson said. “In this series you’ve got to win two matches and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

The Wallabies were hardly embarrassed, but they were certainly overpowered. They will hope that Valetini and Skelton return next week to provide some more edge and power.

But there were some positives, with winger Max Jorgensen exceptional and openside flanker Fraser McReight.

The Wallabies’ bench, led by McDermott, also gave the home side a positive injection.

Flyhalf Tom Lynagh, who made his starting debut in the Test after three appearances off the bench in 2024, was composed and had one nice run early. But the 22-year-old was also run over the top in defence once and couldn’t quite turn the momentum behind a well-beaten forward pack.