Lions coach Farrell says Wallabies will be a force to be reckoned with
Photo:
DAN HIMBRECHTS / PHOTOSPORT
British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell said a Wallabies revival was on its way and reiterated his view that it was insulting for people to suggest that they might not be strong enough opponents for a touring Lions side.
After taking the Lions close in Melbourne last week, the Wallabies handed the visitors their only loss of their nine-match tour of Australia on Saturday with a convincing 22-12 victory in Sydney.
Farrell had no complaints about the defeat, even if it cost his side a 3-0 series sweep, and he thought the Wallabies could be a real power when they host the World Cup in 2027.
"I said to [Australia coach] Joe [Schmidt] before the game there on the pitch, that I think special things are going to happen for this team over the next 18 months," Farrell told a post-match press conference.
"By the time the World Cup comes around, they'll be a force to be reckoned with, like everyone's seen in the past; they've got some special athletes and some special players, and that's no surprise to us after how they performed over the last couple of weeks."
A decade of struggles on and off the pitch have knocked Australia down the pecking order in the rugby world, and the twice world champions made a pool stage exit at the World Cup for the first time in 2023.
Farrell, though, scoffed at the idea that they were no longer worthy of their place in the Lions touring cycle along with New Zealand and South Africa.
"We all know how hard it is to be successful on the Lions tour against a good side like Australia, and they are a good side, and they proved that over the series," he said.
"I mean, everyone has their ups and downs. I've looked at the progress over the last 18 months. It's been through the roof, and you look at that side that's been out there over the last ... three weeks, they're a hell of a team."
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt
Photo:
AAP / Photosport
Meanwhile, New Zealander Schmidt said he would be sticking to his plan to stand down next July.
Robbie Deans was sacked as coach after his Wallabies side lost 2-1 to the Lions in 2013, but encouraging performances during this series, capped by the third test victory, meant Schmidt was faced with questions about staying on.
Schmidt originally signed a short-term deal up until the end of the Lions series because of his desire to spend more time with his family in New Zealand and help look after his youngest son, who has severe epilepsy.
In April, he agreed to extend the deal until next July, when he is scheduled to hand over the reins to Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss.
"I'm looking forward to Les Kiss coming in and taking over," the 59-year-old said when asked about extending again until the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will host.
"I actually apologise to the players. A little while ago, I bit one of their heads off, and my son had had a bad day. I can normally separate the two things, but it does impact me when he's had a bad day.
"I know that I've a short enough shelf life and need to be more present at home. I haven't been home for two months.
"As much as I just think they're a great group of young men. There's other things that I need to make sure I tick off."
- Reuters
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