Lions hooker Dan Sheehan insists all eyes are on series whitewash over Australia
Now that the celebrations for securing an unassailable 2-0 series lead have subsided, the Lions have hardened their resolve to sign off their expedition Down Under with a 100 per cent record.
If they triumph at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Saturday, they will become the first Lions side in almost a century to win every Test.
A dramatic 29-26 victory in Melbourne has placed Andy Farrell's men on the brink of greatness, but Sheehan admits the review of the second Test was 'not pretty watching for a lot of it'.
'It would be disappointing if we didn't show up on Saturday,' the Ireland hooker said.
'It would be different if the series was in the balance, but we've always been pretty clear on our goals – to go unbeaten overseas and win the series 3-0. So we just need to stick to what we said.
'There are a lot of people who have put a lot of effort into travelling out for this game and a lot of our families will be here as well, so there's plenty of motivation. And I can only imagine what the Australians are feeling now as well.
'We are searching for an 80-minute performance this weekend. The people and the talent we have are crazy. We just need to get them all working.
'There's also an individual onus on how you show up to a game – myself included because there are a few moments in the second Test when you're wondering what you were doing. We can be a lot better, definitely in that first half.
'But that's part of rugby. It's such an imperfect game that you've got to get over those moments pretty quick. And you get another chance on Saturday, hopefully.'
Farrell names his team on Thursday and must decide to what extent fresh legs are needed following two bruising Tests against the Wallabies, but the indications from the management are that the strongest possible XV will be fielded.
That rules out rotation for anything other than those players who are running on empty, which could include flankers Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne after their lung-busting shifts in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Second row Joe McCarthy, centre Sione Tuipulotu and wing Mack Hansen all come into contention after recovering the injuries that forced them to miss the second Test.
If he has fully proved his fitness by Thursday, Hansen has an especially strong chance of being involved given wings James Lowe and Tommy Freeman have yet to impress in the series. Blair Kinghorn is also an option to start.
Sheehan's excellent form will see him continue at hooker and the 26-year-old will continue to find novel ways to unlock defences after his 'superman' try from close range during the second Test.
'I took the first free-kick and got absolutely melted trying to go low. Then for the second one I just thought 'if I have a dive here…',' he said.
'I didn't know if they had anyone in the back. It was just a throw and hope and I slipped through. I can see all the controversy about it, but I did know that you can dive in the air if you score.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Herbie Farnworth blow rocks fans as fresh details come to light ahead of Ashes
English and Dolphins fans were left rocked on Friday night when star centre Herbie Farnworth went down clutching at his hamstring against the Warriors, but coach Kristian Woolf claimed he may be back before the end of the season. Farnworth has arguably been the best centre in the competition across the last two years and has been a huge part of the Dolphins success in 2025. Farnworth was also eyeing the Ashes series at the end of the year where he was looking to inspire his English side at home against the Kangaroos. Although that is all in doubt right now after going down clutching at his hamstring in the Dolphins' thrilling 20-18 win over the Warriors in New Zealand. Farnworth had already opened the scoring against the Warriors and had burst through for his second linebreak of the night in the first 20 minutes when he collapsed without any contact. And it immediately had fans concerned. 'This is potentially devastating for not just this game but the Dolphins' season. He's gone. The old sniper got him in fresh air. He ran past Healey like he wasn't there and there was only Tuaupiki to beat. It was two on one," Fox Sports commentator Warren Smith said. 'He was in about fourth gear and looked towards the fullback and then boom, it just goes as quickly as that.' Although Woolf has moved to offer some good news with initial reports suggesting Farnworth is looking at four to six weeks on the sidelines. The centre has scans booked back in Brisbane. "To lose Herbie early like we that's a big hit for us. To win the way we did, just that second-half, I thought were were brave," Woolf said. "It's obviously a bad it is we don't quite no yet. I would have thought at least four or six weeks." And 'NRL Physio' Brien Seeney also suggested it isn't as bad as it may have appeared, but Farnworth could be facing anywhere between four to eight weeks on the sideline. While the latter would mean he wouldn't return unless the Dolphins made a late finals push, he could be back before the end of the regular season. Although English fans were left concerned having watched arguably their biggest attacking weapon go down months out from the historic Ashes series against Australia. Farnworth was a guaranteed selection having torn Samoa apart in last year's two-match series. But there main attacking weapon should be lining up at Wembley in the first Ashes tour in 22 years. This is worrying - hoping this isn't as serious as it looks and Herbie Farnworth is fit and firing for the Ashes 🙏 — The Tryline 🏉 (@TrylineUK) August 1, 2025 Farnworth might be a doubt for The Ashes now mate — DeanC_2024 (@DeanC_2024) August 1, 2025 He's obviously the other centre. It will be him and Farnworth if he's not injured too badly. But if he is, then there's no one really to replace him. — Old Man Winter (@OldManWinter999) August 1, 2025 RELATED: Fans fume over Reece Walsh act as Wayne Bennett rocked over 18th man drama Wayne Bennett and Rabbitohs set for fresh NRL blow as player seeks exit Warriors coach stoic after thrilling defeat Jamayne Isaako scored in the final minute of the contest to give the Dolphins a much needed win to move into the top eight. Although the Warriors, who are also dealing with a brutal injury toll, now see their position in the top four under threat. The Broncos moved to 28 points after thrashing the Rabbitohs and the Panthers play the Titans on Saturday with the opportunity to move one point behind the Warriors. The Panthers are on a roll with a fully-fit side, while the Warriors were missing a host of stars such as James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan. And while Warriors coach Andrew Webster may have felt deflated after the thrilling defeat, he wasn't going to dwell on the loss. "There's so many good signs but it's hard to take obviously because it's such a dramatic finish," he said. "No-one is going to lie, you get your hopes up ... and then it gets taken away from you and that's hard, but we've got to move on."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
NRL fans fume over missed Reece Walsh act as Bennett rocked over 18th man drama
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett was left stunned after the Rabbitohs were forced to play the game against the Broncos without an 18th man due to injuries as Reece Walsh copped backlash for a questionable tackle late in the game. Bennett has never received the wooden spoon as a NRL coach throughout his illustrious career, but the Rabbitohs' injury toll is making it a very difficult task in 2025 with the side lining up against Michael Maguire's men with only 17 fit players. Peter Mamouzelos was selected as 18th man, but was a late withdrawal after suffering from delayed concussion symptoms from his head knock two weeks ago. And this left the Rabbitohs struggling to field a full team and they were hammered 60-14 after Walsh and Kotoni Staggs led the Broncos riot. Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham and Cody Walker are all out injured with a number of other stars missing in the squad. Bennett has been dealing with an extensive list of absentees all year and Mamouzelos' late withdrawal left him in a position he had never been before. South Sydney had no one else they could place in the 18th man role with too many injuries in the squad leaving them depleted. Jamie Humphreys was also a late withdrawal due to concussion. To make matters worse for Bennett's side, they lost dummy-half Ryan Gray to a shoulder injury early in the match. And Bennett was nearly lost for words having seen it all in his 38 year coaching career. "I haven't gone close to that," Bennett said post-match about playing with no 18th man. "We had eight or nine at Redcliffe last year at one stage, but we're on 13 today. We didn't have an 18th man tonight. The 18th man pulled out before the game. (Mamouzelos) had headaches from concussion two weeks ago and he'd been cleared and passed all the tests but he still wasn't well. We made the decision before the game not to put him on the bench." The Rabbitohs and Bennett have now lost nine straight games and are entrenched on the bottom of the ladder. He has never received a wooden spoon since starting coaching in the premiership competition in 1987. With one bye still to go, the Rabbitohs face the Eels and Titans in their remaining fixtures. The Titans are also equal-last on the ladder on 16 points with a game against the Penrith Panthers this weekend. While their was no lack of effort from the Rabbitohs contingent in the 60-14 thrashing, they would have felt aggrieved after Walsh faced no sanction for a questionable tackle in the 70th minute. Reece Walsh escaped penalty for questionable tackle Walsh was instrumental in the 60-14 hammering having scored a try, provided three try assists and made a linebreak. Although it was a tackle in the 70th minute that had fans fuming. The Rabbitohs made a rare break down field after an intercept and Staggs chased down Bayleigh Bentley-Hape. The Broncos were scrambling on the following play when Walsh got back into the line and delivered what looked like a shoulder charge on Tyrone Munro. "What is happening," Billy Slater said in Channel Nine commentary as the game continued. And fans were left fuming at the incident. Amid the chaos and tired bodies, Walsh appeared to make little attempt to wrap his arms around Munro as he launched himself into the Rabbitohs back. Fortunately for the Rabbitohs, Lachlan Hubner scored two plays later in a consolation try. But fans were left fuming Walsh escaped punishment, which followed Rabbitohs five-eighth Jack Wighton copping a four-game ban last week for a shoulder charge. Fans could not believe the moment was let go without even a penalty. The Match Review Committee will have a chance to review the tackle - to see if there was anything in the tackle - and the game, before making a decision. Reece Walsh gets away with an obvious shoulder charge. The guy is a protected species.#NRLBroncosSouths — Laurence Pratt (@laurence_pratt) August 1, 2025 100% it was I don't know how it was missed — Deni🐓 (@d_mcguiness08) August 1, 2025 So Walsh's shoulder charge goes unpunished? — BulldogMike (@Olak1975) August 1, 2025 Shoulder charge by Reese Walsh @NRL I bet this is missed by the MRP. — Ashley Warren (@Peanut87Butter) August 1, 2025
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
3 Chargers players on the roster bubble who helped themselves vs. Lions
The Chargers defeated the Lions, 34-7, in the Hall of Fame game Thursday night, where there were plenty of players who helped their chances of competing for a spot on the 53-man roster with strong preseason outings. Following Los Angeles' Hall of Fame game win, here's a look at which roster-bubble players helped their cause: CB Nikko Reed There's a competition for spots in the backend of the cornerback room, and Reed's showings this summer have warranted his worth for one of them. The undrafted rookie out of Oregon had an exceptional showing on Thursday night, highlighted by a 60-yard interception return and two passes defended. Reed received the highest Pro Football Focus grade (92.9) among all rookies in the Hall of Fame Game, including a 95.3 coverage grade. EDGE Caleb Murphy It wouldn't be surprising if the Chargers only roster four edge rushers, with the presumed players being Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, and fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard. However, Murphy has been making his case to make the 53-man roster. Special teams play for depth players is valuable, and he has taken advantage of those reps with the first-team units. Murphy forced a fumble on the opening kickoff that led to an early touchdown. On defense, he showed juice as a pass rusher and made an impact in the run game, recording a tackle for loss. RB Hassan Haskins There's a battle in the backfield for the spots behind Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris, and Harris ran the ball like he was hungry to earn one of them. Haskins had six carries for 34 yards, with an average of 5.7 yards per carry, the most among Chargers running backs. Kimani Vidal (two touchdowns) and Nyheim Miller-Hines (34 yards) also contributed to the ground game. But overall, I felt like Haskins had the best run among the crop.
