LIONS TAMED

Aus Secondary Schools 24

REFEREE'S controller Greg McCallum is in for a busy week after this Lincoln Financial Group First Test ended with an appaling free-for-all.

The Aussies were leading 24-4 when Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Junior Langi clashed.

The game, that had been simmering under the surface, then exploded into six individual brawls, with a female spectator attempting to get involved as well, before being restrained by stewards.

The Aussie frustration was borne out of the 21-5 penalty count referee Steve Ganson awarded against them and McCallum will need to work with both camps before Friday's second Test at the Boulevard.

Ganson's patience finally ran out with the Aussie young guns when he sent live-wire hooker Daniel Irvine to the sin-bin for foul and abusive language but Tour Manager Kevin Sharp laid the blame for the disgusting late scenes fairly and squarely at Ganson's door.

"His refereeing was inconsistent to say the least, if he had kept tighter control it wouldn't have happened." said Sharp.

"My boys played strong football under harsh conditions and were frustrated by his puzzling decision and at the end had put up with enough."

The indisciplined finale was unnecessary as the Aussies had too much power, pace and guile for the young Lions, who in their defence, it has to be said, the Series has come too early in the season.

In the early stages it was nip-and-tuck with chances at both ends.

Irvine was pulled over by Arthur Little but he was ruled on his back and when the outstanding Mark Gaznier, nephew of the famous Reg, was high on Parker 20 metres out, Chris Thorman pulled his penalty wide

The Aussies took the lead in the 22nd minute.

Gaznier broke down the right before finding Corey Parker with a pass out of the back door.

Luke Branighan then took it on before the supporting Justin Hodges cut inside to score with Braith Anasta converting.

A great tackle by prop Ricky Bibey had the Aussie moaning again with Ganson penalising Branighan for back-chatting but Thorman struck the upright with the powerful, 30 metre penalty.

When Chev Walker was pushed into touch on the second tackle, Australia switched play from the scrum breaking down the right with Branighan and Gaznier putting Langi over with Anasta unable to convert.

Great Britain then rejected two shots at goal, deciding to run it but a knock-on gave Gaznier an 80 metre breakaway try that once again Anasta failed to convert.

An excellent move by the Aussies involving Anasta, Jamie Lyon twice and Hodges, 90 seconds from the break, was only thwarted by the final pass being forward.

When Ian Parry and Steve Kirkbride were caught interfering with Anasta he finally hit the target with the penalty from 25 metres, almost straight.

There was a scrappy opening to the second half which was well illustrated when Irvine went to the bin and Rob Parker failed to utilise winger Paul Salmon with the line beckoning.

More chances went begging with the Aussies down to 12 men but the Lions managed to cross in the 59th minute.

The Aussies were penalised right in front of the sticks and the quick tap allowed Kirkbride to put Parker over in the corner, too wide for Kirkbride to add on the extras.

The hard-working John Rowbottom forced his way over but good Great Britain defence held him on his back however from the scrum the ball went out side right and Langi scored his second in the 62nd minute.

Great Britain then lost the ball again in their own 10 and it was quickly switched right to the dangerous Gaznier, who was too powerful for the stretched cover, and he scored his second but couldn't convert.

The fighting that marred the end of the game ended with Langi and Jones-Buchanan yellow-carded and shortly afterwards Rowbottom and Thorman had a toe-to-toe that went unpunished but should add even more spice to the second Test.

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