Andy Farrell credits ‘absolute dreams’ for getting ‘job done’ while Tadhg Beirne reflects on ‘bittersweet’ celebrations
Tadhg Beirne reflects on 'bittersweet' celebrations while Andy Farrell credits 'absolute dreams' for getting 'job done'
The British and Irish Lions will be celebrating their tour victory over Australia in Sydney tonight, as the visitors secured their second series win in a row over the Wallabies.
Hoping to whitewash their hosts, the Lions fell just short in their final match, losing 22-12 to the ferocious home side.
After being pipped at the post in the second match, the Wallabies were out for revenge and they dismantled an underwhelming Lions side that looked as though they were already mentally on the plane home.
Andy Farrell “super proud” of team’s achievements
Speaking after the match, Lions head coach Andy Farrell remained positive, choosing to look at the overall picture, rather than just the result and performance on the night.
“Although we’re disappointed, we should be unbelievably proud of what we’ve achieved,” Farrell told Sky Sports following the match.
“Lions tours are tough, and to do what we did last week and put the series in the bag, upon reflection after tonight I’m sure we’ll be super proud of our achievements.
“How we got the job done in that type of theatre was something that will live with us forever. It makes me proud of that, because it’s tough. The games come thick and fast, and with everything that’s been thrown at you, these lads have been an absolute dream to work with.”
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Tadhg Beirne on Lions’ accuracy and discipline
Also reflecting on the journey taken by the squad over the past month was Player of the Tour, Tadhg Beirne. He remained resilient and upbeat despite the loss, saying: “The medal is special, the win was special. We got to celebrate that [victory] last week, and you have to try ignoring the fact we lost today, which is hard, because the goal was to win.
“And credit to Australia, they came out and took it to us in the weather, and unfortunately, we weren’t able to come away with the win, but we still won the series, and that’s all that matters.”
Taking exception to comments made that the Lions players looked short on energy, Beirne retorted: “I wouldn’t have said that. I thought some of our defensive sets were excellent out there. It was probably just the penalties, us just creeping offside once or twice, and we just kept giving them more opportunities.
“But the amount of times we put them back when they just kept coming at us. I thought some of the defence there was brilliant. So I don’t think the energy wasn’t there, it was just errors. It was accuracy and our discipline that let us down today, and on another day, we wouldn’t have done that, and we would have won, but credit to Australia.”
Asked to elaborate on the environment within the squad, and the relationships that have been built, Beirne continued: “There are some special characters. Schoeman’s been so funny from day one.
“It’s so funny when you start to get to know people, the different quirks that everyone has. We’ve loved every minute of this; everyone’s got on unbelievably well. It’s a bittersweet one, because we’ll celebrate tonight, but that’ll be it; we’ll never be in a change room together again. We’ll only look back at this with fond memories until we have a reunion, probably in 12 years’ time, here and get together.”
It was later confirmed by Owen Farrell that Tadhg Furlong is at the head of the reunion efforts, saying: “Tadhg Furlong is determined to get us back together in 12 years. We’ll put money in the pot every month and see what we come up with!”
