Impressive as the opening two exhibitions were, it was this victory against Queensland that represented the Lions most serious statement of intent. Whereas the sweeping nature of the previous pair of wins was diluted by the limitations of the opposition, this was another impressive display but against serious adversaries.

Queensland had some good players out there and the totality with which the visiting party dominated over the first half hour will have made their hosts sit up and take notice.

Once again, the one-way flow demands little more than a review of the positive aspects from a Lions perspective. As if spurred on by the internal competition for Test places, the selected 15 upped the ante with a cohesive and all-powerful half-hour surge that leaves a series of potential selection dramas for Graham Henry and company.

However, if there was any suspicion that Jonny Wilkinson might somehow be squeezed from the number 10 spot, I think that it was probably dispelled in Brisbane. He certainly didn't look like a player who has not played top class rugby for seven weeks. His chip to Dan Luger for the early try was typically precise and the snapped pass for the alert Richard Hill offered an example of his overall dexterity.

Quick, solid in the tackle, deadly accurate, athletic and icily composed, he really is a wonderful outhalf and stood alone despite the high calibre around the field.

What to say about Rob Henderson? He's obviously learned to tackle since he left London Irish. No, just kidding, but it has to be said that Rob has already played himself into contention for a Test spot. Because he is lining out alongside professionals at the peak of their game, we are getting to see facets of his capabilities that maybe were not so evident when he played for Ireland. As always, his tackling and cover has been superb but he is also emerging as a tough and inventive attacking force.

I think Brian O'Driscoll has nailed down a centre spot and it is not unrealistic to believe that Henderson has a chance of partnering him. The fact that they form a successful national alliance can but enhance those chances. Against that, I really like Will Greenwood as a player and he was flawless for the Lions in the first two games. So, as I said, tough decisions to be made before the opening Test.

Again Martin Corry impressed, he really is putting pressure on Scott Quinnell for a place in the big picture and I thought Danny Grewcock was a considerable presence around the field. He and Martin Johnson will probably be there when the first Test rolls around.

The one player that was notably off was Matt Dawson, whose distribution was poor and who obviously erred badly for Sam Cordingly's block-down try. But I think that it is a very tough situation for substitutes to watch the first 15 play with such authority in the first half and then have to come in and try and replicate that. For a start, they are under pressure to showcase themselves in the few minutes given and, often, the shape and momentum has evaporated with the yawning score-line.

Queensland hit a brick wall in the first half. The tries that broke the game open arose from spilled possession by the home team. In the second half, they improved a little and the Lions played with less steam. It was almost a surprise to see how fluid the local side was in attack - without doing any real damage.

That defensive period did the Lions no harm. In fact, they probably could have used a more sustained defensive exercise. The comfort with which they have dispatched all and sundry is not ideal in that sense but they can only beat whatever team faces them. This Lions squad has yet to discover what they are like when faced with concerted pressure but that is only to be expected at this early stage.

I think they are much too mature and knowing to fall into even a remote state of mental relaxation and that they are ever conscious of the fact that the Test games will represent a radical increase in terms of pressure.

So the evident curve in the severity of the opposition is quite enticing and the prospect of Australia A on Tuesday, with some bone fide Wallaby contenders on view takes the Lions on nicely to the real business at hand. Another successful baton change, then, but this relay tour of Oz is only just beginning.