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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Taylor's fighting talk inspires tourists
Jack Conan has revealed that a video message from Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor helped inspire the Lions' memorable comeback in their series-clinching victory over Australia. Olympic gold medallist and undisputed world super lightweight champion Taylor urged the touring party to dig deep in a good luck message before the second Test in Melbourne. The Lions took heed of Taylor's encouragement after overturning an 18-point deficit to win 29-26. "The video was unbelievably poignant and powerful. It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but also being ready to win by will," said Ireland number eight Conan. "That was something that was massively summed up in the game because we were not at our best at all. "It's huge because she comes from the town I'm from. I'm incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well. "She's gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world. To be such a superstar, incredibly humble and driven is something that we leant on as well because we knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it in spades. "Everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy - it resonated with everyone. It was unbelievably poignant, it was class. It really hit home for us." Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Taylor's fighting talk inspires tourists
Jack Conan has revealed that a video message from Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor helped inspire the Lions' memorable comeback in their series-clinching victory over gold medallist and undisputed world super lightweight champion Taylor urged the touring party to dig deep in a good luck message before the second Test in Melbourne. The Lions took heed of Taylor's encouragement after overturning an 18-point deficit to win 29-26."The video was unbelievably poignant and powerful. It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but also being ready to win by will," said Ireland number eight Conan."That was something that was massively summed up in the game because we were not at our best at all."It's huge because she comes from the town I'm from. I'm incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well."She's gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world. To be such a superstar, incredibly humble and driven is something that we leant on as well because we knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it in spades."Everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy - it resonated with everyone. It was unbelievably poignant, it was class. It really hit home for us."
Telegraph
a day ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Three moments that secured Maro Itoje's Lions immortality
British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje delivered a performance for the ages as the tourists secured a famous series win. Telegraph Sport breaks down three crucial moments on a defining day for Itoje. 63 minutes – Conan tackle and Itoje turnover Langi Gleeson carries past Bundee Aki only to be felled by a desperate tackle from Jack Conan, allowing Itoje to swoop and secure a turnover Until the final quarter, Itoje had not been enjoying his finest hour as a player. He had conceded two penalties in a first half that was dominated by the physical presence of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, who seemed to especially enjoy ruffling the plumage of his one-time Saracens team-mate. It was understandable that Itoje's influence would start to wane. This was his 33rd game, all starts, of a gruelling season that will run to 12 successive months if he starts next week. For the second successive season, English rugby's most prized asset has sailed past the governing body's own game-time limits, now downgraded out of pitiful shame to guidelines. While Itoje joked at the start of the tour about having 'no wrinkles' such a workload is bound to have an effect. Last summer he clearly ran out of steam at the end of England's pair of Tests against New Zealand. Similarly, Itoje looked completely gassed in the final 10 minutes of the first Test victory against Australia. That result, however, was never truly in the balance whereas at the MCG the Lions had been trailing since the fourth minute – at one stage by 18 points – which was going to require one last final push from Itoje. And in those critical final 20 minutes, Itoje duly played lights-out rugby. The Lions won two turnovers in the final quarter, both by Itoje – first on the isolated Gleeson and then at a maul with eight minutes to go. That proved a huge momentum shift, coming straight after Will Stuart had conceded a penalty inside the Australian 22 for taking an extra roll allowing the Wallabies to kick to touch. Australia 's maul was already beginning to fragment allowing Itoje to come through the middle to sack the ball-carrier. It prompted a huge roar of celebration from Andy Farrell in the coaching box. That Itoje was awarded the man-of-the-match honours afterwards owed entirely to his efforts in this final quarter when his fuel light was blinking furiously. 78 mins – Itoje calls line-out to himself The Lions are still trailing 26-24 and have a line-out just inside their half. Itoje calls the line-out to himself and claims the ball just in front of Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams In a few years' time, this will seem like the inevitable crowning of Itoje as this generation's 'Lions king' and only the second successful English Lions captain in the postwar era after Martin Johnson. Farrell was gushing with praise in the post-match press conference. 'Cool, calm and collected, 100 per cent,' Farrell said. 'I thought he was outstanding in his captaincy today. He was across the game. As the game started to unfold in front of us, he was calm.' Yet there was nothing pre-ordained about Itoje's coronation. In all likelihood, Caelan Doris would have been the Lions captain but for the Ireland No 8's shoulder injury. As early as January this year, Itoje had never captained an international team until England head coach Steve Borthwick decided to unceremoniously depose Jamie George. Eddie Jones famously opined that his star player was too introspective to be a captain. There are many forms of leadership. By his own admission, Itoje 'leads by actions'. As footage in the changing room before the first Test shows, Itoje was happy to delegate the emotional tone-setting to Ellis Genge, the England prop. Churchillian speeches are not Itoje's style. He does not swear. He does not tub thump. How Itoje leads is by taking responsibility on his own shoulders. With the series on the line in the final 10 minutes, Itoje calls the final two Lions line-outs to himself. Australia knew exactly where the ball was going and challenged him both times. Ronan Kelleher's throws were on the money on each occasion but Itoje still needed to claim each catch under ferocious pressure. One misjudgment and it is highly probable Australia are 1-1 in the series. This can happen to the very best. In the final minutes of the third Test of the 2001 series, Johnson called a line-out to himself only to have Justin Harrison pinch it from his grasp. Itoje ensured there would be no Wallaby robbery II. 80 mins – Itoje cuts Wilson's protests short Hugo Keenan crosses for the winning try but Australia captain Harry Wilson immediately appeals to referee Andrea Piardi for an illegal clear out by Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano in the previous phase. Itoje immediately interrupts Wilson's protests and after both captains are ushered away the officials agree that no infringement has taken place This was not quite on a par with Sam Warburton's Jedi mind-trick on Romain Poite in the 2017 series against the All Blacks, when the French referee reversed his penalty decision in virtually the last play of the third Test, but Farrell seemed to have no doubt that Itoje's influence at least had an influence in ensuring Piardi stuck with his on-field decision. 'He understood what was needed and how we communicated with the referee,' Farrell said. 'The flow of the game, he was absolutely spot on. If you listen back to the messaging that was on the referee's mic in time, you'll realise just what a class act he was.' Earlier in the tour, Itoje was asked what his approach was to dealing with referees, which he says he tailors to each individual referee. 'It's slightly different depending on the refs,' Itoje said. 'You have to make an assessment. Some refs are more amenable to communication than others and you have to take a read. You have to choose your moments.' With Piardi that meant approaching the Italian at every possible opportunity. Skelton sparked an early fracas after a cheap shot on Tadhg Furlong which sparked a furious response from Itoje. This was quickly re-enacted after Dan Sheehan's opening try to which Piardi tried to calm both captains down. Itoje, though, slyly tried to shift the blame. 'Yes sir, yes sir. But sir, he started it,' to which Wilson incredulously replied: 'Don't be a schoolkid.' On 65 minutes, Itoje was again in Piardi's grill after Tizzano had won a turnover inches from the Australia's try-line. Although his protests fell on deaf ears, Ronan O'Gara on the Sky commentary voiced his approval for Itoje 'asking all the right questions'. It is difficult to listen to an uninterrupted feed of the final, fateful exchange with Piardi, although Itoje definitely succeeds in cutting short Wilson's protests. When asked about what he said to Piardi afterwards, Itoje said: 'I don't really know to be honest. It was fine. Naturally, their captain was trying to get his point across and, in my view, argue for something that didn't happen. I guess I was just arguing for something that did happen.' Whatever influence his intervention did or did not have, the officials ruled in the visitors' favour, confirming the series win and putting Itoje on that narrow pedestal of successful Lions' captains. Player of the Match and Lions captain Maro Itoje gives his immediate reaction to an epic comeback win at the MCG! 😍🗣️ — Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 26, 2025
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘Unbelievably poignant' Katie Taylor message strengthened Lions' will to win
Jack Conan's seasonal finale has delivered in spades. After captaining Leinster to the United Rugby Championship title, the Lions ever-present from four years ago was in ebullient form after Saturday's 29-26 win sealed a series triumph that he will remember forever. The result was all that mattered as Conan reflected on an imperfect training week and what he felt was a far-from-perfect display by himself and the Lions, but one that had additional meaning for the man from Bray. 'We were not at our best by any measure, but physically the lads dug in unbelievably well,' said Conan, who turns 33 on Tuesday. He revealed: 'We had a video from Katie Taylor earlier in the week and it was unbelievably poignant and powerful. It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but be ready to win by will. 'I think that was something that summed up today massively because we were not at our best at all. Pretty disappointing how we played, but we played for 80 minutes. READ MORE 'Barry ( Hugo Keenan ) getting over the line last minute was just unbelievable. I think the celebrations and the crack and changing room, if we went out and we won by 20, it wouldn't be the same,' he admitted. 'Everyone's just over the moon. To be part of a Lions winning series team is just incredibly special. I feel incredibly humbled and honoured to be part of it all. Not my best game, but a lot of us weren't at the races at all, but we stuck in there. You can't fault the effort. I thought the defensive sets we put in, just whacking people and just staying in there, was unbelievable. I think everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy — Jack Conan 'It's something that will go down in history,' he continued, random thoughts pouring out amid the immediate euphoria of reaching one of the true highs of his rugby career. 'They weren't writing the history books about how s**t we were, but they'll say that we won and that's all that matters. Just so special to be part of it.' Jack Conan (left) and Tadhg Furlong celebrate the Lions' victory over Australia in Saturday's second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Photograph: Martin Keep/AFP via Getty Images Taylor's message was particularly poignant for Conan given they both hail from Bray. 'Massively. Huge. Someone to come from the town I'm from, I'm incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well. She's gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world and to be such a superstar and be just incredibly humble and driven and knock it out of herself is something that we kind of leant on as well. We knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it today in spades. 'They were unbelievable, they really were, but we just stuck in it for 80 minutes and [I'm] just incredibly proud of the effort from the lads. I know things didn't click and we weren't flowing properly, but we were getting off the line, trying to hit people, trying to make it count every chance we got. And I think we did that and that's why we got the result in the end.' [ Australia head coach Joe Schmidt unhappy at match officials over Jac Morgan clearout Opens in new window ] It transpired that the Irish performance coach Gary Keegan, who is also part of the extensive Lions backroom team, was the key figure in asking Taylor to provide a motivational video. 'Gary Keegan would have been very close with her and helped her through her amateur career into professional career; he's the link there. It meant a lot to me being from the same place and seeing her on the world stage, but I think everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy. It resonated with everyone. 'It was unbelievably poignant, it was class. It really hit home for us, it was brilliant.' Conan was one of a record nine Irish players in the starting line-up who contributed to this series-clinching second Test win, as well as Rónan Kelleher and James Ryan off the bench, with three of them among the Lions try scorers. In another ever-lasting image, Keenan was the match-winner. Putting down one of the two cans of Guinness he had been holding in each hand, Conan said of Keenan: 'Delighted for him, because he had a bit of a rocky start to the campaign with the sickness that derailed him for a while and it's a testament to his professionalism and staying in it. I was delighted for him. Jack Conan came close to scoring a try in the series-clinching victory against Australia. Photograph:'Now in saying that, I would have liked it more if he gave me the ball on the edge and I scored the try,' joked Conan, who helped give Keenan the space to beat Len Ikitau on his outside shoulder by holding his depth. 'No, delighted for Barry, I probably would have dropped it like the other one,' added Conan, in reference to the moment early on when James Slipper's tackle dislodged the ball from his grasp as he was diving over the line. 'No, it was knocked out of my hands lads. 'I was shouting for it, but Barry goes and scores a try. I've no complaints. If he bottled it there in that moment, I would have killed him and kicked the arse off him afterwards, but that was great.' Leinster being the bulk suppliers had generated quite a bit of debate, but Farrell's selections had been vindicated. 'As a Leinster man you're normally on the other end of it where you don't win them, so it was nice to be on the other side of it for once,' admitted Conan with a smile. 'Yeah it's class, just the feeling afterwards, the celebrations. Big Tadge (Tadhg Furlong) was giving it 90 on the sideline which was class and it was just unreal, part of a Lions winning series is just so special, to have played two 80 minutes. I'm not sure if I'll be playing next week after my performance but we'll see what happens, but yeah, absolutely class. 'You can't take these things away from people; [they] go down in history. I know people don't have the best things to say about Australia but I thought they were class today, they were unbelievable, they played above themselves. 'We saw Valetini and big Willie Skelton come back into the side, they were unbelievable. They made a huge difference and we struggled with it at times. A little bit high in the contacts, a little bit soaking, whatever else. But it doesn't matter, we got there in the end, didn't we. 'The win's a win. Series win; Lions series winner. You can't take that away from us, so I'm delighted for everyone. Delighted for the coaching staff, delighted for the lads who played, the lads who didn't play because everyone's played their part. Roll on the celebrations, roll on next week and one more 80 minutes to go and then a bit of well-earned time off.'
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Hugo Keenan savours ‘special moment' as his try clinches Lions series win
As long as he lives, Hugo Keenan will always have the MCG and his last minute to seal a Lions Test series win. It was so good, so historic and the picture of him being held shoulder high by team-mates so iconic, that the players had him re-enact his finish when they congregated on the pitch long after the final whistle. It was a better try than it even seemed at the time, beginning with Jamison Gibson-Park deciding and executing a sharp pass to his Leinster and Irish team-mate, and Keenan standing Len Ikitau up with his footwork to create the space on the outside – helped by Jack Conan holding is width – for the finish. This won't be the only night in his life Keenan will get to celebrate this try. 'It's a bit surreal,' he admitted afterwards. 'It was a class moment. It was off the back two minutes of phase attack, the lads digging deep. It meant the world to myself and everybody that was out there, the 23, the lads who weren't playing, the backroom staff, the 50,000 Lions supporters out there and everyone at home. It's a really special moment.' READ MORE HUGO KEENAN WINS IT FOR THE LIONS! 🦁 — Sky Sports (@SkySports) Andy Farrell had earlier admitted he had been imploring Keenan to pass to Conan. 'I was screaming: 'Pass it. Pass it. Pass it!' And knowing Hugo, he was never going to pass it! He was always going to back himself. I spoke to his dad [Paul] after the game and he was never going to pass it. He backs himself in those types of situations.' Keenan laughed when this was put to him. 'He [Farrell] mentioned it after. I think he backed me at the end. Jack was outside and I think he would have finished it himself, but where there is a will there is a way.' The high point of Keenan's highlights reel was all the more satisfying given he'd been laid low for 10 days and lost several kilos due to a stomach bug which also led to a delayed and off-colour Lions debut against the Waratahs three weeks ago. 'It's been a mad whole trip. It's not how I imagined it going, getting sick for two weeks and coming in to camp a bit injured. It's been a rollercoaster, but I suppose these things happen for a reason, and thankfully I was in full health come the last two Tests. 'I'm delighted to be involved and delighted that we got the result today. It's special moments having our family and friends out on the pitch with us at the end. It's those moments you play rugby for and you dream of.' Lions Hugo Keenan and Ellis Genge celebrate in the dressingroom after the match. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Admittedly, there had been a few moments when it seemed Keenan's try might be over-ruled as the officials reviewed Jac Morgan's clearout on Carlo Tizzano, but the try-scorer maintained otherwise. 'To be honest, once I saw the clearout, I was pretty confident. I don't think there was any foul play in it and I was confident that the refs would make the right call. It was just relief, delighted and ecstatic that we got over the line. A cool moment.' Afterwards, before re-enacting his try, Keenan could also be seen jumping into a section of the crowd. 'I jumped in a few times! It was unbelievable walking around the stadium. My parents were there, my brother, my uncle and aunt, my girlfriend. I've about ten friends over from Ireland who have spent a bomb to be here but they are all saying it is absolutely worth it. Really cool moments which make it extra special.' As for it being the highlight of his career so far? 'It's definitely up there. How could it not be? The Lions is the pinnacle for a Britain and Ireland rugby player, and to win a series is incredibly special. It's there or thereabouts. I'm absolutely delighted and it is extra special to do it with such a good bunch and so many familiar faces in the crowd.' Talk of winning the series three-nil could wait, for 24 hours anyway. 'I think we'll enjoy tonight and celebrate what we have achieved so far. I'm sure come Monday morning, when we turn the page, it'll all be about finishing it the right way.'
