**Graham Price Reflects: British and Irish Lions Secure Win, But Questions Abound Over Wallabies’ Preparation**
The first Test of the British and Irish Lions tour in Australia delivered a victory for the touring side, yet British rugby stalwart Graham Price has expressed unease about the match, particularly questioning the Wallabies’ puzzling lack of preparedness. Price, former Wales prop and regular WalesOnline columnist, believes the result has raised more questions than answers.
Under the stewardship of Lions head coach Andy Farrell, the Lions managed an early lead that all but sealed the win before half-time. Price attributes this strong start to robust performances from the likes of Tom Curry, Tadgh Beirne and Tadgh Furlong—players whose form had been under scrutiny prior to the opener. The trio responded emphatically when it counted and were central to the Lions’ early dominance.
However, Price’s analysis does not shy away from criticism, especially regarding the scrum. Expectations were high that the Lions would command the set-piece, but the anticipated dominance never fully materialised and changes made by way of substitutions failed to rectify matters. Such issues, he suggests, could be capitalised on as the series progresses.
Despite some missed opportunities and lapses in discipline that allowed the Wallabies a route back into the match, the Lions’ half-time lead of 24-5 proved insurmountable. Price notes that complacency may have crept in, affecting the fluidity and ambition of the Lions’ second-half display. He insists that a more decisive performance was within reach and that, despite some standout individual efforts, the result could have been more commanding.
A striking aspect of the contest, according to Price, was the Wallabies’ lack of sharpness. The Australians looked short on cohesion—something Price links directly to their baffling decision to have played just a single warm-up match, notably against Fiji, ahead of this pivotal Test series. Given the enormity and advance notice of a British and Irish Lions tour, Australia’s limited preparation appears to Price to be a significant strategic blunder.
Australia’s second-half improvement, highlighted by the effect of their replacements, suggests they will pose a far greater challenge in the next Test—particularly with the likely returns of key players Will Skelton and Rob Valetini following injury. Price warns that while the Lions have seized the initiative, the Wallabies are likely to regroup and come back stronger in the must-win fixture in Melbourne.
Atmosphere, or a perceived lack thereof, also formed part of Price’s critique. He described the crowd as subdued for what should have been a historic and rousing occasion, reflecting that the typical elation and passion one associates with a Lions Test were strangely absent. With the Lions now leading the series, he emphasises the need to avoid complacency and to deliver a complete, 80-minute performance in the next outing.
Looking ahead, the midweek fixture against First Nations Pasifika XV did little to alter Test selection trajectories. Price felt most of those who took to the field in that match played as though opportunities to break into the main Test team had already passed them by. There are, however, potential adjustments for the second Test. Blair Kinghorn might take the full-back jersey if Hugo Keenan is replaced, while Mack Hansen could return if fitness allows. Injuries, most notably to Joe McCarthy, might open the door for Jac Morgan to earn a deserved Test cap, with Ollie Chessum poised to step into the line-up.
As the Lions prepare to face an Australia side likely to be both improved and emboldened by the urgency of the situation, Price calls for the focus, discipline and intensity required to see the job through. Only then, he reflects, will the team and its travelling supporters experience the unforgettable, electric atmosphere that the British and Irish Lions are known to inspire. The stage is set for a potential classic in Melbourne next week.