by Paul Cook in Brisbane - “It was an epic contest and either side could have won,” said Wallaby coach Robbie Deans afterwards and it was about the most accurate shorthand description of this titanic struggle between two foes who have waited 12 long years for another chance to vie for supremacy. In the end, the British & Irish Lions will take a 1-0 lead into the second test in Melbourne, two missed penalties in the dying throes of the match from Kurtley Beale leaving a narrow 23-21 victory for the tourists but there was much glory in defeat for the hosts, who had to contend with the loss of three of their backline on stretchers and finished with a makeshift selection of players in unaccustomed positions as a result. In Israel Folau, they unearthed rugby’s latest superstar, the Waratahs�