How can British & Irish Lions outwit Australia's 'tactical genius' Joe Schmidt in first Test in Brisbane? Andy Farrell's side enter as 'favourites'

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Ugo Monye has explained how the British & Irish Lions can get the better of Australia in their series opener at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Lions enter their first of three tests with Australia looking to win a series for the first time since 2013, the last time they visited Australia. Monye told TNT Sports that two "huge" personnel losses for the Wallabies could prove vital.

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The British and Irish Lions enter the first Test with Australia on Saturday as "favourites", but face a tough job to get the better of "tactical genius" Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt, believes Ugo Monye.

The Lions have claimed victories over Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, Brumbies and an Invitational AU & NZ side in the lead-up to their Brisbane opener.

And while the Lions have not won a series since the last time they faced Australia in 2013, Monye told TNT Sports why he believed Andy Farrell’s side would claim another victory down under.

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When asked to assess how the Lions may approach the encounter with Australia, Monye said: "I do think that the Lions are wanting to play a structured game. I do believe they will have dominance in the set-piece and utilise that to be able to give themselves field position.

"Australia will probably look to break the game up a little bit more. I’d say Australia have more game-breakers in their backline than the Lions.

"[Len] Ikitau, [Joseph] Suaalii and Tom Wright at 15, so they will look to break the game up, to have it as frantic as possible, while the Lions will look for control and calm and play the game at their own pace.

Superb Sua'ali'i offload tees up Wright for Australia's first try

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Head-to-heads, for me, you look at 9s and 10s. Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell will look to use the boot a lot and dominate territory."

While former Lion Monye was full of praise for Australia coach Joe Schmidt, labelling the 59-year-old as a "tactical genius", he added his belief that the Wallabies are "underpowered" amid injuries to Rob Valetini and Will Skelton.

Monye said: "The two coaches are really well-matched and have actually got a similar backstory. Both, of course, took Ireland to [become] the No. 1 side in the world.

Team captains Maro Itoje of British & Irish Lions, left, and Harry Wilson of Australia pose with the trophy during a photocall ahead of the first test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

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"Joe Schmidt just quite simply hasn’t coached a bad side, he’s a tactical genius. Andy Farrell is one of the best out there.

"The loss of Valetini and Skelton is absolutely massive for Australia. [They’re] quite clearly underpowered. Skelton is quite simply one of a kind, there are not many men as good as him in the universe of rugby, so two huge losses.

"Regardless of the side Andy Farrell would have put out, I think the Lions are the favourites going into it."

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