'Lions need whitewash to be lauded for decades'
'We never spoke about 3-0'
I was part of the last Lions team to go 2-0 up in a series, in South Africa in 1997.After winning in Durban, the celebrations were so ridiculous - then we travelled up to altitude with a load of injuries. For me, it was a bit of a blur. There was so much euphoria and mayhem after sealing the series. In hindsight, it was utter chaos.Family and friends were over, so we were being pulled all over the place, the England players that were fit were organising themselves to get to Australia after the third Test for a ludicrous one-off match, so while we were focused on the final Test at Ellis Park, and it was great to be selected again in a Lions shirt, I am not sure realistically we felt 3-0 was achievable.At the time, we were saying we could do it and had the belief, but there was not a chance South Africa were going to let us whitewash them in their own backyard. They were playing for Springbok rugby pride and their intensity was off the charts.We never spoke about winning 3-0 in the aftermath of victory in Durban. But we absolutely know it is on these Lions players' minds – they have spoken about it both in public and in private.The stuff Henry Pollock said - backed up by his captain Maro Itoje - would never have come out of our mouths in 1997.We were just thinking about ways of stopping the Springboks. But because of the nature of this current squad, their ability and the comparative weakness of Australian rugby, they have been able to set lofty goals.Now they need to hit them in Sydney.
'Brave call not to penalise Morgan'
The decision not to penalise Jac Morgan for a clearout just before Hugo Keenan's decisive try has been a huge talking point here in Australia.Personally, while I didn't think it was a penalty, I have seen examples where one has been given. Watching from the MCG stands, I was surprised the referee didn't give a penalty to Australia.The easier decision would been to penalise the Lions, because once it goes against Australia, it is series over. It was a brave call and to some extent I can see why the Australians are spewing.But did the right team win the Test match? I think they did. The Australians played some great rugby in the first half but their defence was so poor at times.Three Lions tries - maybe even four - were from Australian defensive errors, either system lapses or losing the physical battle close to the line. But that came from the fatigue. The Lions were fitter with a stronger bench and it told.In 1997 we were forced into a number of changes for the third Test and I would like to think Andy Farrell might make a handful of alterations to his starting XV given how close some of the selection calls have been.Picking a completely different side won't work, but some of the bench players could start to freshen it up. For example, I would like to see Blair Kinghorn start and players such as Ben Earl in the 23, especially with how much Tom Curry has given.Farrell will need to weigh up continuity of selection and making sure players aren't broken after this Test series.Maybe part of the Lions' internally talking about winning 3-0 is the management saying to the whole squad that this tour is not going to peter out - that they are here to play right to the end.The Lions can't win this 3-0 by relying on the same players again. The whole squad will need to be ready to go this week.
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The Independent
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After plenty of good, and a little bit of bad, the ugly arrived for the British and Irish Lions in the third Test. On a wretched night, it was a wretched performance, the tourists beaten in just about every area by an Australian side better adjusting to conditions of a kind that few involved had ever seen. And so a golden opportunity has been missed – confirming many of the assumed truths about this Lions crop. Andy Farrell had set the lofty goal of going unbeaten in Australia and completing the first series sweep since 1927, a scenario that looked likely after edging the second Test at the MCG. But Lions tours are tough. The Wallabies have plenty of talent and showed real fighting spirit. By contrast, Farrell's men looked tired at times, while the easing of the stakes with a series secure may have been a factor. 'I hope not,' Farrell said on that front. 'Otherwise we are not being true to ourselves in everything we talked about this week. I certainly hope not. Subconsciously I guess I will never know the answer to that question.' So the 2025 Lions are a good side, but not a great one; a team capable of fantastic highs and passages of thrilling rugby but without an 80-minute showing to really be proud. They threatened to run rampant in the first half in Brisbane, but thereafter, with Will Skelton back amongst things, Australia won four of the five remaining 40-minute periods in the series. Overmatched opposition they were not. The Lions, though, set high standards and asked to be judged on them - in that context, they did not succeed, and they will be disappointed to go out on a damp squib. Those facts should not at all take away from what the Lions have achieved in Australia. It is a real feat to secure a series with a game to spare – this was only the second time it had occurred in the professional era. 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He sees everything so he's prepared to call you out in the middle of the session if something's not good enough. He sees it all and he'll then have it clipped up and you'll see it in reviews. There's no hiding place, his standards are so high. He knows exactly what he wants from everyone.' Selection criticism is a natural by-product of a venture like this but much of Farrell's work in that regard looks strong in retrospect. He may reflect that he could have refreshed his pack, particularly, for the affair in Sydney but those involved had earned the chance to go again. Tadhg Beirne, something of a surprise selection for the first Test, was named player of the series; the impact made by a beefed up bench at the MCG was pivotal. The arrival of Owen Farrell, too, added an extra competitive edge and experienced head to a squad that probably needed it - though his third Test showing was not his best outing. 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'I love everything that the Lions is about and I've thoroughly enjoyed the last eight weeks. There's always ups and there's always downs but the inner circle is a special place to be. 'We all know how hard it is to be successful on a Lions tour against a good side like Australia. When we get a bit of time to ourselves we will be unbelievably proud of what we have achieved. Lions tours are tough. The legacy for us is in that changing room. The togetherness of the whole group has been an absolute delight.'
