British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell gearing up for Wallabies fightback in game two
British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell reckons his men are in a “fantastic place” with room to improve as they brace for the Wallabies to do the same in a must-win Melbourne Test for the hosts.
The Lions were dominant early in their Brisbane opener, leading 24-5 before the Wallabies managed two late tries and came close to scoring at least two more in a 27-19 Saturday result.
The Lions will play a First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday in Melbourne before attempting to seal the series at the MCG on Saturday.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Twelve years ago the Lions were in the same place before James Horwill’s Wallabies forced a Sydney decider with an emotional 16-15 win.
“We know what’s coming and we know what happened in the second half,” Farrell, an assistant on the 2013 tour, said.
“So we roll on to the second game knowing full well what happened in 2013.
“When an Australian team comes desperate, it’s difficult to handle ... but we expect more of ourselves as well.
“It’ll mean the world to them. We need to make sure we’re ready for them.”
The Wallabies, who conceded for the final time in the 42nd minute, will take some momentum to Victoria and also be boosted by the availability of key pair Rob Valetini and Will Skelton.
Their physicality was missed in a one-sided first half before the Wallabies’ bench also gave Joe Schmidt something to ponder, scrumhalf Tate McDermott and flanker Carlo Tizzano both scoring tries.
McDermott entered the fray just as Queensland Reds teammate and flyhalf Tom Lynagh departed.
Lynagh, 22 and boasting just three caps off the bench before Saturday, copped plenty of attention in an examination of the highest order.
On the stroke of half time he was hammered in mid-air while taking a bomb, before dusting himself off and continuing.
With two Lions Test and back-to-back games in South Africa in the next five weeks it gets no easier for the man parachuted in to replace the injured Noah Lolesio.
“For Tom when it was so hard to get access, he was forever reacting, not a lot of front foot ball,” Schmidt said.
“There’s no way he lacks for courage. Made tackles, carried when called on, kicked pretty well.
“Very good from him.”
Originally published on AAP
