No more false dawns after Force farce

After two false dawns in terms of competitive opposition, the Lions tourists should finally get a taste of what Australian rugby has to offer at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane this morning.

Queensland are to rugby in Australia what Munster are to the game here. Tough, uncompromising and with a rich history against international touring sides, the Lions will be tested, especially as the team selected by Warren Gatland today looks the least formidable of the three that will have faced action on this tour.

With Suncorp, the traditional home of the Reds’ famed rugby league side, full to it’s 55,000 capacity, it will also add to the occasion. The fact that it is also the venue for the crucial opening test in a fortnight will help to focus the minds of the tourists who have been offered a dry run in advance of that key date.