‘Should have won by 30’: Campese slams Wallabies before second Lions Test

Wallabies legend David Campese has taken aim at coach Joe Schmidt, saying the British & Irish Lions should have won the series opener in Brisbane by 30 points and the tourists should run away with a comprehensive win in the second Test.

More than 52,000 fans watched on at Suncorp Stadium as the Lions kicked off the series with a winning start, beating the Wallabies 27-19. The Lions went into the match as firm favourites and the visitors lived up to that label from the opening minute.

Finn Russell knocked over a penalty goal in the first minute of play, before fellow Scotland Test star Sione Tuipulotu crossed for a try soon after. With about nine minutes up on the clock, the Lions had raced out to a clinical 10-nil advantage.

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While the Wallabies were next to strike, with winger Max Jorgensen scoring with a sublime solo effort, the Lions remained in the driver’s seat. Tom Curry and Dan Sheehan scored a try each, with the Lions racing out to a 24-5 lead early in the second term.

Australia outscored the Lions 14-10 in the second half but the Lions held on for a dominant win to start the series. All eyes are on Melbourne now, with the Wallabies in desperate need of an upset win, while the Lions are just 80 minutes away from history.

“I just think the interesting thing is you cannot play an international team when you haven’t played together before and tonight was a great example,” Campese said on talkSPORT.

“Even at full time, we’re behind and we kick the ball out just to get rid of the game, it’s finished. The Australian teams never used to do that, that’s ridiculous.

“The Lions, they’re miles ahead at the moment. You could just see simple mistakes, simple understanding between the players and at this level, as everyone knows… you need combinations. We had no combinations really that played together and that’s why the Lions won.”

Replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott scored a try each to help reduce the deficit to an eight-point margin by full-time. While it was a positive end to the match, the Wallabies had been parked well inside their own half for the majority of the contest.

Tom Lynagh wore the No. 10 jersey for the first time at Test level, linking up with NSW Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon in a new-look halves pairing. Nick Champion de Crespigny was another surprise inclusion, named to debut at blindside flanker.

While Rob Valetini and Will Skelton will both be available for the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as Campese alluded to, the Wallabies side for the second match will likely be at least a bit different which gives the Lions an edge.

“They should have won by more,” Campese added.

“The Lions should’ve won this, they should have won by 30 points and they should win the second one by 30.

“Next week will be a totally different [Wallabies] team as well. That’s what this Kiwi coach of Australia wants to do, every week he’s a picked a different team!

“You cannot do that at this level and that’s why the best teams always win, because they’ve got combinations, confidence and tonight the Lions showed a lot of confidence and they finished the job.”