British and Irish Lions demolition of Reds sets the scene for someone to make rugby history

Queensland’s loyal fans might not have enjoyed the result, but the huge win over the Reds has now set the scene for some real rugby magic to occur over the next few weeks.

Even as Queensland Reds fans fell silent you couldn’t help but think this is precisely what the doctor ordered.

By dismantling the Queensland Reds 52-12, the British Lions have raised expectations for the three-Test series against Australia where tickets are reaching price levels you might expect if Elvis ever rises from the grave. Interest levels are surging by the day and this result only spices the mix.

The scary thing for the Wallabies is that the Lions were far from flawless. Early in the first half you could almost hear the sound of squeaky wheels as balls were dropped and tackles were missed.

Angus Blyth of the Reds wins the lineout . Picture: Getty Images

But with every passing minute they looked like a jigsaw with pieces being slapped in vacant holes and this tour could revitalise the code in Australia.

In the 58th minute the first haunting chant of “Liiiiii-ons’’ swept Suncorp Stadium. But this is nothing to what awaits the Wallabies in the first Test.

Most Lions supporters in the crowd of 46,000 here were expats. Wait until about 40,000 more of them arrive in Brisbane two and three days before the Test.

Because they only tour Australia once every 12 years every Lions match seems a precious piece of history. Wallaby great Tim Horan played 80 Tests between 1989 and 2000 yet never got to play the Lions because his career was sandwiched between tours.

Who knows what the Lions will throw up this year but this much is certain. Something strange will happen.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 02: Fans are seen during the tour match between Queensland Reds and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 02, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Andrew Porter of the British & Irish Lions with fans after the tour match against the Queensland Reds. Picture: Getty Images

British & Irish Lions enjoyed their night out at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

It always does and has way back to the first tour in 1888 when Lions captain Robert Seddon was drowned in a boating accident on the Hunter River and the team subsequently played 13 AFL matches and beat Port Adelaide on the Adelaide Oval.

A few hours before the match across town at Jubilee Hotel, a reunion of the 2013 Reds team that played the Lions featured a man who whose very presence was a reminder of what starring against the Lions can do for a man’s career.

Winger Luke Morahan, now based on the Gold Coast, scored a dazzling individual try when he took a clearing kick, beat the first man, then wove between two others and chipped over the fullback to score and change his life.

Queensland Reds' Joe Brial (C) tackles British and Irish Lions' Ollie Chessum. Picture: AFP

A few years later, with that try as the standout entry on his portfolio, he was signed by Bristol in England where he scored 47 tries in 104 games over five years, saw two of his children born and generally had the time of his life.

In the stands at Suncorp were members of the 1971 Queensland team that beat the Lions 15-11 for a victory that skipper Barry Honan says they have “been living dining off for 51 years.’’

Honan was a non-drinker who claimed the first alcohol to touch his lips was the dressing room champagne after the win not that he celebrated for long because he had to be back teaching physics and maths at Marist College Ashgrove the next day.

Originally published as British and Irish Lions demolition of Reds sets the scene for someone to make rugby history