'The best few weeks of my career' - Lions' Conan
The 32-year-old from Bray has been through this process before, albeit under different circumstances four years ago.
Advertisement
In South Africa, the Lions played in empty stadiums because of Covid-19.
Ireland's Conan was picked for all three Test matches and that's a record he'd like to continue in Australia, on a tour he has described as "the best few weeks of my career".
"Yeah, it's chalk and cheese but it's been unbelievably special, unbelievably enjoyable," explained Conan.
"It's vastly different to four years ago. With no-one in the crowd, it felt eerie and strange not to have anyone there at what should be the biggest occasion of your career: A few weeks with the lads getting to move about, see some of the different places and see a lot of red at the games.
Advertisement
"The atmosphere [here] has been incredible. I thought the game in Adelaide was unbelievable.
"I think everyone's absolutely loved it and it's been a great challenge so far and we're looking forward to pushing on and being better than we have been in the last few weeks.
"I think everyone will be a bit nervous about selection but I think everyone's gone incredibly well, especially in the back row."
The puzzle of sorting out the best combination for the back row has been solved by the coaching staff and the world will find out the answer on Thursday.
Striking the right balance could be the difference between winning and losing the first Test with the breakdown likely to be crucial.
Advertisement
"It's tough for the coaches I'm sure and hopefully we've given them all plenty of headaches over the last while, because I think no matter who's been out there they've taken their opportunity really well," Conan said.
"It's about those lads who get to run out on the weekend to do right by the lads who aren't playing - and the lads who are on the bench and making the most of their opportunity.
"That level of talent pushes everyone on to be at your best. I don't think anyone can say that they've been poor over the last few weeks and I think especially in the back row the standard's been unbelievably high.
"It's been a joy to play with the lads and get to know them and I've absolutely loved it over the last few weeks."
Conan helped the Lions to victory in the first Test four years ago, before South Africa came back to take the series 2-1 [Getty Images]
The Lions have been keen to emphasise they are focused on themselves but like many of the squad, Conan has been coached by Wallabies Joe Schmidt and there is a lot of mutual respect.
Advertisement
"I think he's had success no matter where he's gone whether it be with Leinster, with us and obviously the All Blacks and now Australia," Conan said.
"There's an emphasis he puts on certain areas of the game.
"Look, it's not going to be an easy game at all.
"Test match rugby never is so we're going to have to be at our best.
"I think the media might give them a bit of a hard time but we know that they're an unbelievably good side with incredible athletes across the park.
"And we know how motivated they are going to be for this first Test match in 12 years on home soil against the Lions so we'll have to make sure that their motivation isn't hard on us."
Advertisement
So the serious business of this tour is about to kick in and Conan is ready to face the challenge - if selected.
"No-one can ever take away being a Lion for me and playing in three Tests - but four years ago is definitely not the same as now," he said.
"This has been an incredible joy and the best few weeks of my career and I think that's a sentiment that's shared throughout the squad.
"Everyone's loving it and loving the challenge. We are unbelievably excited for Saturday to hopefully we can go out and create a bit of history."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rare $2 coloured coins Aussies can find in their change: ‘Keep an eye out'
Aussies who pay with cash have the chance to find two rare $2 coloured coins. The Royal Australian Mint has teamed up with Rugby Australia to release two Wallabies and Wallaroos coins. Designed by the Mint's Adam Ball, the $2 coins feature the team's official logo and colours, with a stadium beneath and two athletes above. The obverse features the portrait of King Charles. From today, Aussies across the country can receive the special coins in their change when paying with cash at participating Rebel Sports stores. RELATED Rare $2 coin worth 10 times more due to this detail: 'Lucky to find' Aussie tradie loses $110,000 house deposit due to small detail $105,000 superannuation warning over growing 'mini-retirement' trend Royal Australian Mint acting CEO Emily Martin said the coin release was a nod to 150 years of Rugby Union history with the Wallabies test series against the British and Irish Lions, and the lead up to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. 'Whether you're a die-hard rugby supporter or a collector, this is your chance to own a piece of sporting history,' she said. Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said the coins symbolised two key events and were a 'true collector's item' given the Lions only visit every 12 years and the Women's Rugby World Cup is held every four years. 'It's a significant year for Rugby in Australia and these coins honour each team as they compete in pinnacle events at the highest level on the global stage,' he said. Waugh encouraged Aussies to 'keep an eye out for a coin at their local Rebel Sport store'. How can I get the coins? The $2 coloured coins can exclusively be found in your change when paying with cash at participating Rebel stores. They are available from today for a limited time until stocks last. A two-coin collector set is also available for purchase, which features a slightly different design for the coloured inner circle. This set is available to purchase through Rebel online and through the Mint's call centre, shop and eShop. It is available from 8:30am on Thursday, July 17, for $17.99. Warning as coins listed for 10 times more Some sellers on eBay have pre-emptively listed the $2 coins that will go into circulation for $49.45 for the pair. The Mint has recommended only purchasing through its authorised channels. "There is no guarantee on quality or authenticity of products purchased from unauthorised sellers," the Royal Australian Mint spokesperson previously told Yahoo Finance. "Any listings prior to the official release date are considered illegitimate."Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Andrew Johns makes staggering call on Kalyn Ponga leaving the Newcastle Knights
League Immortal Andrew Johns has rejected comments from his brother Matty after giving his blessing for Kalyn Ponga to leave Newcastle, amid reports he's considering a switch to rugby union. The Knights have been rocked by bombshell reports this week that a New Zealand-based rugby union agent has been acting on Ponga's behalf to shop him around to clubs in the rival code. Newcastle bosses are also reportedly preparing to part ways with coach Adam O'Brien at season's end, and are willing to pay him out $1.2 million. But it's the future of Ponga that has been the biggest talking point, amid suggestions the Knights marquee man could walk out on the club with two years still to run on a deal worth $1.4 million per season. While Ponga's management hasn't approached the Knights about the potential of an early release, there's believed to be some openness at the club to letting him go if he doesn't want to be there. And Newcastle's greatest player and two-time premiership-winning halfback says Ponga should be able to leave if he wants to, considering what he's done for the club since arriving in 2018. 'I give him a big thank you for coming to the club and if he wants to move on, I say thank you for what you have done for the club,' Johns told the Freddy and the Eighth podcast. 'He has carried the club. He signed after the three wooden spoons in a row and that year, the Cowboys got to a grand final. Andrew Johns gives Kalyn Ponga his blessing to leave the Newcastle Knights(9) — NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 16, 2025 'Look, he got signed for big money but struggling clubs have to pay overs for a marquee player. He has attracted players to the club, he has attracted sponsors, I would imagine his social media reach would be huge. 'So I would say thank you to Kalyn for what you have delivered to the club. Thank you very much. If you want to move on, so be it. No animosity whatsoever.' Ponga has so far remained tight-lipped on the reports about his future but is expected to address the issue later this week. The situation comes as a Saudi-backed rebel rugby competition, headed by former England Test star Mike Tindall, is reportedly chasing Ponga and a number of NRL stars as some of its first major signings. It emerged on Wednesday that Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was believed to be on the verge of joining the R360 competition, with Storm stars Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona linked as other potential targets. RELATED: QLD legend piles pressure on Cleary with big call on Tom Dearden Roosters playmaker tipped to exit after being overlooked for veteran Fury over Panthers star's ban after Parra rival cops season-ending injury Matty Johns warns Knights against releasing Kalyn Ponga Ponga would undoubtedly be the biggest coup if rugby were able poach the Maroons star and he has been linked with the rival code in the past. But Johns' brother Matty says the Knights can't afford to let Ponga go, and has rejected suggestions from the likes of Penrith premiership great Scott Sattler that Newcastle would be better off releasing the injury-plagued Ponga and freeing up a massive chunk of salary cap space to rebuild their squad. "With Kalyn it's not just what he brings on the field, it's what he brings to the club as far as profile, marketing but also being able to attract other players," Matty Johns told SEN radio. He says the Knights are in 'a precarious situation' because of the two new teams entering the NRL - Perth in 2027 and PNG in 2028 - and their likelihood to chase marquee superstars such as Ponga. "So if you start losing guys like Kalyn Ponga, you can't replace them. That's the problem," he added. "There's a school of thought saying 'he's getting injured all the time, it's probably a good thing and the Knights should take advantage of it' (but) I completely disagree."
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Aussie bowlers command Test rankings after Windies rout
The Australian bowlers' destruction of West Indies in Kingston has resulted in five of their record-breaking attack now flourishing in the top 10 of the ICC's Test bowling rankings. Scott Boland's three wickets in each innings at Sabina Park, including a hat-trick as Australia sealed their whitewash three-Test triumph by, incredibly, bowling out the home side for 27, has ensured the veteran paceman moves up six places into a career-best sixth place in the rankings. The late-blooming 36-year-old, who never lets Australia down whenever he gets the chance with his 62 wickets at 16.53 apiece, has joined captain Pat Cummins (third), Josh Hazlewood (fourth), Nathan Lyon (eighth) and Mitchell Starc (10th) in a rare single-country domination of the bowling table. The ICC said you would have to go back to 1958 to find a similar domination of the table. A historical rating showed that England had half-a-dozen bowlers in the top 12 back in 1958, including the likes of Jim Laker, Tony Lock, Freddie Trueman and Brian Statham. Still, though, top of the current pile remains the uniquely brilliant Indian quick, Jasprit Bumrah, whose seven wickets during their defeat by England at Lord's this week enabled him to stay 50 points ahead of Australia's World Test final tormentor, South African Kagiso Rabada. Meanwhile, Joe Root's knocks of 104 and 40 in the enthralling third-Test win have ensured he goes back to the top of the batting rankings, a week after his fellow Yorkshire star Harry Brook had gone to No.1. Noteworthy performers from the #ENGvIND and #WIvAUS Tests soar in the latest ICC Men's Player Rankings 👏More ➡️ — ICC (@ICC) July 16, 2025 It's the eighth time Root has taken top spot and, at 34, he's the oldest No.1 batter since Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara was leading the way back in December 2014 at the age of 37. It's not looking so healthy for the Australian batters on the world stage, after some of their top-order struggles in the Caribbean, with only fourth-placed veteran Steve Smith in the top 10 with a ranking of 816 compared to Root's 888. Travis Head is the next best Aussie in 11th place on 740.
