Queensland gave the British and Irish Lions the fight they craved as Quade Cooper orchestrated a high-octane attacking display which ultimately went unrewarded on Saturday night.
Missing Will Genia, James Horwill and five more Wallabies, the Reds still pushed the tourists all the way for a highly honourable 22-12 defeat in front of a sell-out Suncorp Stadium crowd of 50,136.
Played at frenetic pace despite drizzling rain, the Reds’ helter-skelter attack stretched the Lions defence throughout but the tourists’ power in the set-piece won the day.
Queensland scored two tries to one, however stray goalkicking cost the home side as both Cooper and Mike Harris missed close-range attempts which should have had the scoreline closer in the dying minutes.
In contrast, English sharpshooter Owen Farrell slotted six from six in the wet.
Although he’s nursing a quad strain, Cooper showed his full array of skills and rolled the dice from the kick-off as the Reds ran the ball from all points on the field.
They made three breaks within the first 10 minutes and the fact they couldn’t capitalise on one hurt them at the end of the game when the rain and slippery ball made it hard to get out of their own half.
It was a superb improvised try by halfback Nick Frisby, who started and ended a Rod Davies sideline burst, that gave the Lions a major fright midway through the second half as Queensland moved to 19-12 down.
But in the end it was veteran Irish lock Paul O’Connell who delivered the key play by forcing a ruck penalty for Farrell to kick the Lions 10 points clear with three minutes left.
There was carnage for both sides in the physical affair as Reds duo Beau Robinson (cheekbone) and Ben Lucas (neck) were both taken off by medicab and Lions centre Manu Tuilagi copped an early shoulder injury.
Tuilagi’s replacement, big Welshman George North, helped turn the momentum with two long-range breaks after Cooper missed the chance to give his side a 10-6 lead with a missed penalty in the 31st minute.
It was a major let-off for the Reds and a massive turning point as the Lions crossed just three minutes later when halfback Ben Youngs reefed the ball out of Jake Schatz’s grasp off the back of a 5m scrum to score.
Queensland winger Luke Morahan had produced the best 40 minutes of his career, scoring a sensational 70m solo try and saving two others by denying Alex Cuthbert and Owen Farrell with last-ditch tackles.
Morahan beat three defenders from a kick-return and chipped fullback Stuart Hogg for one of the most sparkling individual tries of the season to give the home side a surprise 7-3 lead after 19 minutes.
The Lions’ scrum was dominant throughout and forced penalties from the first two set-pieces which helped Farrell open the scoring in the 14th minute.
Reserve Reds tighthead Jono Owens made a terrific debut off the bench to steady the ship and limit the damage in the second half.
Missing Wallabies locks Horwill and Rob Simmons, Queensland’s lineout also let the Reds down badly, losing five on their own throw in the half.