After victory in Perth on the western edge of Australia the Lions made the long trip coast to coast to the far east and to the third most populous city in Australia Brisbane, a journey of some 4,225 kilometres, a forty-six-hour drive or a four and a half hour flight. Luckily, the Lions chose the latter.

The whole squad devastated by the news that Tomos Williams’ tour is over with a hamstring tear had to quickly regain a sharp focus on matters in hand, namely their second tour match against Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium.

Going coast to coast over this vast country incurs a time difference. Brisbane is two hours ahead of Perth, and even this relatively small adjustment when added to previous jet lag can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm.

In the wild, Lions sleep between sixteen and twenty hours a day, But in the rugby jungle there is no time for slumber that will come after the fight. 

With thirteen changes to the team that beat Western Force in Perth, continuity and familiarity were inevitably going to be in short supply and as in the first game of the tour the first half was clunky.

The opposition scored a try in the opening seven minutes as was the case against Western Force and Déjà vu continued when the Lions created beauty and precision in a dominant second half.

Repetitions and time on the training field will only improve this side, as much of the tour so far has been taken up with travel and administration. But there is no doubt the raw materials are there.

 Maro Itoje looked a true Lions captain, leading by example and being involved in many key moments. The youthful irritations of screaming with joy at every successful ruck and maul appear to have been replaced by cool, calm intelligence that his troops respect and follow.

As the World Wildlife Fund declared a new endangered species, the Welsh Lion, it was wonderful to see Jac Morgan in sparkling form and justifiably awarded the man of the match award.

So the Lions move on to Sydney with 106 points from the opening two games, including 16 tries. The only fly in the ointment is the injury to Elliott Daly. He left the field in the 67th minute, grimacing with pain from an arm injury.

Daly has been faultless so far on tour and has definitely put his name forward for a starting test place, as was the case with Tomos Williams last Saturday. One only hopes the outcome of his injury does not have the same end result.