The Western Force pushed the British and Irish Lions in the first half but ultimately went down 54-7 in front of a Club record crowd of more than 46,000 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
The Force had dared to dream of an historic win but the Lions, licking their wounds following a 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week, were just too strong in the first game of the Qatar Airways Series.
The home side had plenty of possession and territory in the first 40, but the Lions led three tries to one, 21-7 at half-time, before pulling away in the second stanza.
Some of the Lions had more Test Caps than Force players have appearances for the club.
They scored eight tries to a single five-pointer from Force captain Nic White, converted by Ben Donaldson.
Force coach Simon Cron was forced into a late change when reserve hooker Nic Dolly was withdrawn with a knee injury and replaced by Tom Horton. The Lions got off to a dream start, scoring after only one minute.
They powered through the middle with dominant ball carries before sending a wide kick-pass to captain Dan Sheehan. He went inside to winger James Lowe who returned the favour to his captain to score. Converted by Finn Russell.
The Force hit back three minutes later when they went through 14 phases before captain White buried into a ruck to score. Donaldson converted from wide.
The Force continued the pressure, having plenty of possession and territory. They turned down three kickable penalties and their forwards went through plenty of hard work to give their backs time and space.
The visitors regained the lead on 15 minutes when Henry Pollock broke the defence, kept his hands free and off-loaded to scrum-half Tomos Williams. Russell converted.
And they caught the Force napping to go further ahead five minutes before the break.
They shaped to kick a penalty to touch but Russell tapped quickly and sprinted through tackles before popping to fullback Elliot Daly. Converted.
As the clock went into the red Pollock was yellow-carded after a warning for repeat infringements.
The Force had thrown everything at the Lions in the first 40 minutes with winger Dylan Petsch outstanding, making a big pitch for a Wallabies spot.
He was heavily involved in all aspects of the game, hunting for the ball and making three line breaks.
Despite being a man down, the Lions began moving the Force around to split their defensive seams.
They scored a sensational 80-metre, break-out try soon after the re-start with both wingers involved on the right-hand side for Williams to dot down in the corner for his second.
As the Force chased the game and fatigue set in, the Lions varied their attack.
They opened the Force defence, good hands ending with Garry Ringrose going over, converted, and piled on more points when Pollock broke through, collected a chip-and-chase before the ball went wide to man-of-the-match Joe McCarthy. Converted.
With the Force pinned in their own half, Daly added his second and the Lions' seventh, and an eighth with another long range effort finished by reserve scrum-half Alex Mitchell. Marcus Smith converted both.
Western Force 7
Tries: White (4')
Conversions: Donaldson 1/1
Penalties: Nil
British And Irish Lions 54
Tries: Sheehan (1'), Williams (15', 46'), Daly (35', 71'), Ringrose (51'), McCarthy (53'), Mitchell (80').
Conversions: Rusell 5/6. Smith 2/2
Penalties: Nil
Crowd: 46,656 @ Optus Stadium
Western Force Match Report, Powered by Altrad
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