We are the underdogs now. The second-half onslaught Australia inflicted on the Lions was more representative of the standard of their game than what we saw in the first Test and at the beginning of Saturday's match. There was always the slight suspicion that the host team was, for whatever reason, playing within themselves, that they were lacking something.

They would have felt the heat of scathing home criticism in the wake of the first Test and it was logical that they would improve as the series gained momentum. We also have to realise that this is just the beginning of their season and that it would inevitably take time and hard minutes for them to polish elements of their game.

I think the Lions were possibly a bit complacent emerging for the second half. They possibly anticipated a repeat of the first Test, and certainly could not have countenanced the sort of artillery they were about to wander into. There were a few crucial factors.

The Lions' failure to put more scores on the board during their dominant period in the first half was critical. Nathan Grey's shot at Richard Hill neutralised one of the Lions' most important figures. And Jonny Wilkinson's ill-advised pass that led to Joe Roff's interception was the energy source that Australia required. It was fortuitous because they appeared lost as to how to crank up their game. Roff's breakaway was the jolt.

These things happen. It worked for the Lions against ACT when Healey stepped into Pat Howard's pass, and here the reverse happened. I don't think the cover was to blame - Brian O'Driscoll did well to get hands around Roff - the Lions' momentum was forward, and then suddenly the Australian centre was making for the line.

From that point, the Lions just disintegrated. Our scrummaging was poor - I think that Vickery and Smith are better in the loose than in set plays. We were also in trouble at the lineout; Neil Back's lack of height curtailed our options at the tail and in retrospect we might have been better persevering with Martin Corry.

Because we were comfortable in those areas in the first Test, the selectors possibly didn't concentrate on them as much in the build-up to this Test.

As the Lions struggled, so the home team just exploded. It was a different Australia in attitude and execution. George Gregan was quite awesome in his control, precision and decision-making. The sheer bulk and speed of their midfield began to tell and Owen Finegan was everywhere for the Australians. People had begun to suggest that John Eales' time was up and he came out and delivered.

It was utter attrition, and the Australians' collective physique was telling. We could not have collected more crucial injuries to our players had we tried. Jonny Wilkinson's loss would be incalculable. Neil Jenkins will get the nod from Graham Henry as replacement and he deserves this shot, he has proven himself at this level. Hill's injury is devastating, all the more so because it was the result of Grey's cynicism.

It was a pity that Daffyd James missed the try tackle on Roff having defended him so ably in the first Test, but Roff is a world-class wing. Our back line was redundant in the second half. O'Driscoll threatened repeatedly in the first but we simply couldn't get our hands on the ball in the second.

There was no real distinguishing feature in that second half from a Lions perspective. We hastened our own doom with several errant elements. Keith Wood overthrew a few times in the lineout when possession was crucial; we lost focus in the loose and our discipline in the last quarter. It was a forgettable half-hour, but they will have to study it and learn from it. And they should also not forget that they were the superior team for the first half and could have put three tries past Australia.

The initiative is firmly with the home team now and all things considered, it looks ominous for the Lions. But it is also possible to over-exaggerate our plight. The injuries have robbed us of the most vital components of the first choice team, but the replacements are there for a reason. The Lions have players there who can go out and do a job.