Lions coach Farrell bullish ahead of Wallabies Test
Farrell's Lions have swept all five tour games leading into the first Test against the Wallabies on Saturday night in Brisbane.
The tourists tuned up with an emphatic 48-0 romp over an Australian and New Zealand invitational team in Adelaide on Saturday night.
But coach Farrell has quickly summoned a replacement for hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who suffered concussion in Adelaide, bringing in his experienced England teammate, former captain Jamie George.
George will fly in on Sunday from Argentina where he's been on tour with England.
Centre Garry Ringrose has also been ruled out of the first Test after being placed in concussion protocols. The Irishman reported delayed symptoms after last Wednesday night's game.
"You don't mess around with these things, do you? It's unfortunate for him ... but we crack on," Farrell said.
The Lions boss was otherwise rapt with the build of cohesion in their five tour triumphs.
"I'm very pleased to finish off what has been a tough enough block for all sorts of reasons, to get to this point now," he said.
"Really proud of everyone, not just the players, but the staff for getting us all to this point.
"It's nice to get a good performance and then roll into a Test series in a nice shape as a squad in regards to where our game is at and our mentality and how much we have got to improve."
Farrell forecast some tough selection calls for the highly-anticipated series-opener against the Wallabies.
"It matters how we approach, perform and go forward as a group," Farrell said.
"The lads who get picked in the first Test, they'll be the lucky ones to represent the group.
"But they've also got to earn the right to keep that jersey for the second Test as well. There's pressure."
Farrell said that fact was evidenced by the clinical dismantling of an AUNZ squad boasting 17 internationals.
"It was a professional team performance because they are tricky ones," he said.
"You're damned if you do, you're damned if you don't when you play against a side that has got all the talent they have.
"If you give them belief, then it becomes a hard day at the office."
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