Lions/Australia: Lions keep up the heat

The Lions have settled well into their second Test match against Australia.

Wallabies centre Daniel Herbert led Australia out in celebration of his 50th Test cap, while Lions skipper Martin Johnson delivered a final team talk surrounded by his players in the now traditional pre-match huddle.

Jonny Wilkinson kicked off high into Wallabies territory, and his opposite number Stephen Larkham immediately cleared as Australia secured field position, helped by Lions full-back Matt Perry’s nervy touch-finder.

Keith Wood made a typically robust charge, and it took just four minutes for the tourists to slice open Australia’s defence.

Wilkinson sent wing Dafydd James through on a superb angle, but the Welshman failed to spot support runners either side of him, and the chance went astray.

Larkham required treatment after tackling Lions centre Brian O’Driscoll, and the Lions gained an eighth-minute penalty for offside which Wilkinson booted from 22 metres to give them a 3-0 lead.

The Lions had settled well, and Wilkinson doubled that advantage three minutes later after South African referee Jonathan Kaplan spotted Wallabies number eight Toutai Kefu stamping on Tom Smith.

Australia have chalked up three points with a penalty.

Latest score:

Lions 6

Australia 3