B&I Lions boss looks on the bright side after bizarre third Test
REACTION: British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell said his weary side had been a “dream to work with” and should be proud of their achievements despite a bitter 12-22 defeat to Australia in the third Test.
The tourists went into the game at a soaking Sydney on the back of eight straight wins in Australia, confident they could bank a rare whitewash.
They were on a high after an incredible fightback in the second Test last week at Melbourne to clinch the series 2-0.
But the hosts proved the hungrier side in a bizarre game played in appalling wet conditions and halted for 35 minutes because of lightning in the area.
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“I know we’re disappointed but we should be unbelievably proud of what we achieved as a group,” Farrell said.
“Lions tours are tough and to do what we’ve done last week and put the series in the bag, upon reflection after tonight, I’m sure we’ll be super proud of the achievements.
“How we got the job done in that type of theatre will live with us forever.
“These lads have been an absolute dream to work with.”
The Lions were flat in the slippery conditions, losing the possession and territory battle while their line-out was poor and there were too many handling errors.
Dan Sheehan, the acting captain after Maro Itoje failed a first-half concussion test, said he was “gutted”.
“Our aim at the start of the tour was a 3-0 victory and fair play to the Wallabies,” he said.
“They came out firing tonight in extremely physical, tough conditions for everyone but all credit to them. What a series. Every game has been close.”
Farrell was also gracious in defeat, applauding the Wallabies who after an ordinary first Test in Brisbane rose to the occasion both in Melbourne and Sydney.
“The obvious thing is to say congratulations to Australia because they thoroughly deserved to win,” he said.
“They played the conditions better than us and we overplayed at times to give them that score that was difficult to claw back.”
