Sexton says Lions need to be great, not good, to win first test
The former Ireland flyhalf, who won the first of his six Lions caps in the opening match of the 2013 tour of Australia at Lang Park, dismissed talk of Andy Farrell's team being overwhelming favourites for the match.
"We don't pay too much attention to the bookies odds or what people are saying," he told reporters at Lang Park on Friday.
"We're just concentrating on tomorrow and trying to put a great performance out there.
"Because that's what it's going to need, a great performance, not a good performance, to beat this Australian team.
"They're a proud nation, they're a top class team, well coached. And we need to get our best version of ourselves out there tomorrow."
The Lions won the 2013 series 2-1 but only got off to a winning start in Brisbane after Australia's Kurtley Beale slipped over while attempting a late penalty kick that would have given the Wallabies victory.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS
Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences
Business Global fintech firms expanding in Singapore with larger offices, APAC hubs
Singapore UOB awarded $17.7m in civil suit against Lippo Marina Collection over inflated housing loans
Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore in Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule
Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high
Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs
Life F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Music acts Lewis Capaldi, Clean Bandit, Spice Girls' Melanie C added
"I think the occasion, the atmosphere, the crowds, that's the thing that always lives with you," Sexton said, recalling his Lions debut.
"Obviously when Kurtley slipped and missed the kick, obviously the euphoria that we felt. But again, it just shows the margins of professional sport and top level sport like we're going to witness tomorrow.
"It's going to come down to something small like that, and hopefully we'll be on the right side of it."
Sexton, who played all three tests in 2013 and in the drawn series in New Zealand four years later, said the Lions were expecting Australia to come hard at them on Saturday.
"They'll have been in camp over the last few weeks getting ready for us, and they had a game against Fiji a couple of weeks ago that they'll have learned a lot from," he said.
"There's you can talk about all the different ifs and buts and permutations, but ultimately, once you step onto the pitch tomorrow, no one remembers it, and we just get on with the game." REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
an hour ago
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: 2 men taken to court over arranging bail for accused thief, who later absconded — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. 2 men taken to court over arranging bail for accused thief, who later absconded Two men were charged in court on Tuesday (July 22) for helping to post bail for a suspected member of a housebreaking syndicate who stole over $570,000 worth of jewellery from a home on Windsor Park Road in June 2024... » READ MORE 2. $30 one-off cash handout, petrol price cut: Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim announces measures to tackle living costs Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday (July 23) unveiled a raft of initiatives, which he said are a "token of appreciation" for Malaysians amid their concerns with high cost of living... » READ MORE 3. 'I'm so angry': Christopher Lee shares thoughts about son Zed sharing bed with Fann Wong Christopher Lee recently expressed his thoughts about his spot on the bed being taken over by his son Zed... » READ MORE 4. 'I have seen his hands tremble, his eyes go blank': Son's Kpod addiction leaves parents in $30k debt A father has shared his frustrations and concerns after his son was dismissed from multiple jobs due to an addiction to 'Kpods' — vape pods containing liquid laced with etomidate, a powerful anaesthetic... » READ MORE editor@
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Springboks leave out experienced trio for Australia tests
South Africa have named their squad for the two Rugby Championship tests at home to Australia next month as they begin the defence of their title, with no place for double World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk and Makazola Mapimpi. The experienced trio are on a stand-by list in case of injury as coach Rassie Erasmus named a 37-player group on Wednesday to meet the Wallabies in Johannesburg on August 16 and in Cape Town a week later. Recent new caps Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Cobus Wiese (utility forward) have all been included. Bath prop Thomas du Toit has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the English Premiership, while number eight Jasper Wiese, the brother of Cobus, is serving a four-week suspension. Erasmus has already used almost 50 players in three tests this year as he looks to add depth to the squad with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in mind. "It's always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands (in wins over Italy and Georgia this month), but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Rugby Championship," Erasmus said. "We probably have three players who can cover each position. One of our key pillars as a team is to build squad depth, and there is no better way to see what some of the younger players are capable of than to expose them to some of the top teams in the world." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore Sota parent portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market Singapore New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb Singapore COE prices for cars mostly unchanged; premium for commercial vehicles up 2.9% Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him The Springboks have also invited three players from South Africa's victorious side at the recent Under-20 World Cup to train with the team to gain experience. They are loose-forward Bathobele Hlekani, wing Cheswill Jooste and scrumhalf Haashim Pead, the stand-out performer in the tournament. South Africa squad: Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese. Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Turkey nears Eurofighter jet procurement with UK deal, German approval
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and British Defence Secretary John Healey attend a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkey, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya ISTANBUL - Turkey and Britain signed a preliminary deal allowing Ankara to operate Eurofighter Typhoon jets on Wednesday while Germany approved the delivery of 40 jets, which Turkey has sought to bolster defences in an increasingly volatile region. NATO member Turkey has leaned on its own defence industry projects, including domestic jets, and foreign acquisitions to ramp up deterrence. Beyond the Eurofighters, it is in talks with Washington to buy 40 F-16s. Separately, the German government has cleared the way for the delivery of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey following a positive decision by the federal security council, the Spiegel news magazine reported on Wednesday. The German defence ministry declined to comment and the federal council, whose approval is needed for arms exports, does not generally comment on its decisions. Ankara has been in talks since 2023 to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoons, which are built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo. Defence Minister Yasar Guler, at a signing ceremony with British Defence Secretary John Healey in Istanbul, said the agreements would strengthen bilateral ties and boost the NATO alliance's air power, while supporting Ankara's aerial capabilities. "We welcome this positive step toward our country joining the Eurofighter Typhoon club, and want to reiterate our mutual ambition to complete the necessary arrangements as soon as possible," he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore Sota parent portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market Singapore New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb Singapore COE prices for cars mostly unchanged; premium for commercial vehicles up 2.9% Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him The agreement comes after weeks of positive statements from Ankara and the Eurofighter consortium on the sale, with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan praising the German and British stance on the issue this week. REUTERS
