Rookie Christian Leali’ifano showed he belongs at Test level with clinical performance against the Lions

HE lasted more than 52 seconds this time, and Christian Leali’ifano showed why he belongs in the Test arena long-term.

HE lasted more than 52 seconds this time, and Christian LealiÂ’ifano showed why he belongs in the Test arena long-term.

Lining up the most important goal kick of his career, Leali’ifano took a deep breath, muttered some quiet words, and brought half of the packed Etihad Stadium to delirious joy by putting Australia in front of the Lions for the first time in the match, in the 77th minute.

Wallabies 16 Lions 15, Leali’ifano four kicks from four attempts.

Last week it was goal-kicking that cost Australia the match, this time Leigh Halfpenny’s fluffed attempt after the full-time siren cost the Lions.

Leali’ifano’s boot saved his team and this series, which now heads to a decider in Sydney next Saturday.

The Wallabies inside centre brought a composure to the backline, and a certainty to their goal-kicking, that will be well placed during other important looming series including the Bledisloe Cup.

Leali’ifano was composed in defence, created width and depth in attack and looked supremely comfortable when kicking for goal.

He did spill the ball following a break out wide early in the second half, but wasn’t alone in the butter-fingered Wallabies department.

His silky passing skills allowed frontline playmakers James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale to take a direct, running-based approach.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said: "He was remarkable in his debut, because that was his debut. To deal with that sort of pressure as calmly as he did, it's clear he's got a big future".

O'Connor and Beale, under pressure following their 4am fast food gaffe during the week, produced the usual fare. There were moments of brilliance and composure, but also errors.

Who knows if their preparation and performance would have been better had they had an early night last Tuesday?

O’Connor’s simple dropped ball in attack in the 31st minute allowed the Lions to move up the field and force a scrum penalty which Halfpenny duly kicked over.

But it was his perfectly timed pass to centre Adam Ashley-Cooper that yielded the only try of the match.

He was assured at other times, producing some fine clearing kicks and testing the defensive line with his darting bursts.

Beale was lively, taking on the line and often playing first receiver.

Will Genia remained the greatest Australian attacking threat, confusing and holding up the Lions defence when he had numerous running options either side of him.

But the Lions had clearly done their homework from the first Test, pestering Australia at the breakdown and claiming a convincing decision in that area.

If Israel Folau is to remain in rugby, he must accept that there will be these sorts of Test matches, where wingers are more likely to catch colds than catch balls.

The Wallabies attempted to bring him into the match with a cross-field chip and the odd backline spread, but for the most part Folau was an extra in the big production. Props, backrowers and five-eighths played leading roles.

What surprised nobody was Folau’s proficiency under the high ball, once again illustrating that he simply does not drop a skyward offering.

He outleaped rival George North after Beale had kicked wide in the Lions’ quarter, but the defence raced in to force an O’Connor knock on.

Had the kick been 15 metres deeper Folau would have been celebrating another Test try.

Instead, his highlight was riding on North’s shoulders before bringing him to the turf in the second half, in an odd tackle.

Halfpenny capitalised on his forwards prowess in the contact area, nailing most of his chances but also missing two goals.

Leali’ifano showed that he can develop into a similar guided weapon.