Latest news with #AndyFarrell
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lions start with promise but intensity drops off
In 2013, the final moments of the British and Irish Lions' first Test win against Australia had the entire Suncorp Stadium Kurtley Beale slipped, when attempting to convert a match-winning penalty, and the Lions escaped to lead the series Excitement. Edge-of-your-seat stuff. It is what makes the Lions so forward 12 years and Andy Farrell's side also delivered at Suncorp Stadium with a 27-19 victory - the Lions' ninth straight win in result was the same but the feeling was Lions were so dominant in the first 50 minutes that the outcome was never in side raced out of the blocks to lead 17-5 at half-time after tries by Sione Tuipulotu and Tom Curry. A 12-point lead did not do justice to their Russell at his mercurial best was dominating his head to head with rookie Australia fly-half Tom Lynagh and, in partnership with scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, was running the Tom Curry and Tadgh Beirne, both of whom responded to questions over whether their form warranted a starting spot, were bossing the physical Ellis Genge and hooker Dan Sheehan were battering Australia's defensive line."The Lions looked battle-hardened, ready and a lot of the clunky stuff in the warm-ups had gone," former Lion Tom Shanklin told the BBC. "They looked sharp in attack, they knew what they were doing and Australia ran out of options."Finn Russell and Gibson-Park were quality. The way they pull the strings, the time they have on the ball, their decision-making makes everyone's jobs so much easier."Andy Nicol, a Lions tourist in Australia in 2001, heaped praise on Curry and Beirne."Tom Curry was off the scale," he told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly. "He smashed players in contact and his metres after contact was amazing as well."Beirne was man of the match and played the full game, Curry played 57 minutes and I would happily have given it to him. He was outstanding, so was Maro Itoje." 'I want the series to be competitive' When Dan Sheehan added a third try early in the second half, the Lions surpassing their record score against Australia (31-0 in 1966) looked on the cards. This much-anticipated series opener was almost too one-sided."As a former Lion, I wanted the Lions to win but I want the series to be competitive," said Nicol. "At that point [24-5 up] there was a chance that it wasn't going to be."But as the Lions brought on their replacements, their performance dropped. They lost momentum and cohesion, giving Australia the chance to play themselves into some replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott crossed for late tries to nearly bring the hosts back within touching Joe Schmidt's side showing heart to come back into the game, it was too late to ignite the crowd in Brisbane. The Lions' lead was never seriously noticed some Australian fans not watching the game as their attention wandered with the Lions seemingly cruising to victory."Ten to 15 minutes into the second half, a lot of the corporate boxes were full of Aussie fans standing talking to each other and not watching the game," he told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly."They had switched off and almost chucked the game, thinking it wasn't going to happen. That would not have been good for the series."The atmosphere was great in the first half."But the second half had nothing and there was no atmosphere in the stadium at all, even the Wallabies try... they weren't really celebrating. It was relief around me." 'The Lions would have gone up a gear' Former Ireland head coach Schmidt has come up with numerous masterplans over the years to defeat the world's best. However, his side failed to properly assert themselves until the final quarter against the England wing Chris Ashton said Schmidt had made a mistake in not releasing his players to face the Lions in their warm-up games. "If you have not faced them, even for 10, 15 minutes, how are you meant to expect the level or have some understanding what a Lions Test is about in the first 20 minutes?" he told BBC Sport. "You're not. And after 20 minutes, the game was almost over."In order to help spark an epic Test series, former Scotland captain John Barclay even found himself hoping Australia would score before half-time."I felt that if Australia had got close, the Lions would have gone up a gear," he told Rugby Union Weekly. "Australia did well off the bench but the Lions had so much in the tank."I expected a lot more from Australia. Joe Schmidt always brings a lot of detail to how his players can play the game but it looked like all the detail was missing."I think they will be much better next week, they have to be, but the Lions have so many more levels they can go up."The difference in class between the nines and 10s is night and day."His fellow Scot Nicol also feels the Lions can take their game to another level."If the Lions play for a full 80 minutes next week, I think there is a 20-to-30 point gap between these two sides," he will tell if these two dance partners are suited to produce a Lions series for the Cricket Ground is expected to have more than 90,000 people in attendance for the second Test next is a venue worthy of an epic.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jac Morgan's omission is reminder of Wales's fall from grace
How close was Jac Morgan, the last Welshman on this British & Irish Lions tour, to being involved in the first Test? 'As close as you could imagine. Look, you're actually gutted for players like that,' replied the head coach Andy Farrell, having opted for Morgan's back-row rivals Tom Curry and Ben Earl in the No 7 shirt and on the bench. Morgan may have missed out due to the finest of margins but there are seismic consequences, with the Lions play ing a Test yesterday without a player from Wales in their squad for the first time since 1896. Consider how much the great Welsh players of the past have contributed during the past 129 years, the legends of Gareth Edwards and Barry John, Phil Bennett and JPR Williams. In the Lions' most recent Test against the Wallabies in 2013 there were 10 Welsh starters, a Welsh captain in Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric on the bench. Curry had not played his best rugby on this tour until Saturday , w hile Morgan has been in hot form at the breakdown – leading the squad with five turnovers – and Farrell knows Josh van der Flier, the 2022 world player of the year, well from his time with Ireland. Curry is a faith selection because Farrell knows the England flanker will empty the tank, going to dark places in order to deliver for the team. 'The engine that we all know that we need in regards to Test match football,' as Farrell put it. Which is a long way of saying it is hard to know how much more Morgan could have done to force his way into the side given how well he has played. The blows for Welsh rugby keep on coming. Victory over Japan last weekend in Kobe had been a welcome balm after a horrific couple of years, ending a run of 18 consecutive defeats and a 644 days without a win . Talk about short-lived euphoria, with Morgan's absence a reminder of how far one of the great rugby nations has fallen and its current state of uncertainty. Matt Sherratt has now filled in admirably as interim head coach for five Tests but a permanent successor to Warren Gatland is urgently required , in part because the rest of the game in Wales is on the verge of major upheaval. Filling that role will be a job for Dave Reddin, the Welsh Rugby Union director of rugby . News broke this week that the WRU will explore halving the number of regions from four to two before the 2027-28 season, a radical move to try to reduce costs. Over the years there have been failed mergers and frequent speculation regarding the regions – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – with the WRU taking on Cardiff's £9 million debt earlier this year when the region went into temporary administration. 'Welsh rugby has experienced a deterioration in performance on and off the field,' read Monday's statement . Hard to argue . Similar to the final days of Gatland's second tenure, that feeling of imminent change after losing in Rome to Italy, now you sense with the regions that something has to give. The omission of Morgan after carrying Wales on his back in the Six Nations will hurt, but it is merely the latest of punishing body blows . That elation from the men's long-awaited Test win has quickly disappeared. Photograph by
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The British & Irish Lions in numbers: Beirne impresses against the Wallabies
By James Reid The British & Irish Lions earned a hard-fought 27-19 win over Australia in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium. It was the perfect start to the three Tests of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025 and sets up an enticing second Test in Melbourne next weekend. Andy Farrell and his squad will take plenty of positives and lots to work as they head south, with a whole heap of numbers to pore over. Here are a few to help break down what we watched in Brisbane. 1 – minute until the first penalty The Lions made the perfect start to the match, with Tadhg Beirne earning a penalty with less than a minute on the clock. It proved a dangerous omen for the Wallabies, with Beirne producing a Player of the Match performance as part of a destructive back row alongside Tom Curry and Jack Conan. The penalty proved the ideal nerve-settler for anyone in red, either on the pitch or in the crowd, though it was unlikely Finn Russell was amongst those whose hearts were racing at kick-off. The Scotsman slotted home the three points to set the Lions on their way, before putting in a huge performance from fly-half. 23 – tackles by Tadhg Beirne A perfect back row is one that has the right balance, and Andy Farrell may well have found his with Beirne, Conan, and Curry. Beirne led the way with the heavy lifting in Brisbane, getting through a huge amount of working in the tackle – his 23 was the most of any player on the pitch. He was matched in work-rate by Conan and Curry, whose work off the ball in particular was exceptional amidst fierce competition for the six, seven, and eight shirts. Beirne also won three turnovers to round off an impressive evening in Queensland. 65 – metres carried by Huw Jones Midfield partner Sione Tuipulotu may have been the one to cross the whitewash, but Huw Jones also impressed at outside centre. The Scot's pace and running caused regular problems for the Wallabies and almost had a try himself in the first half only for referee Ben O'Keefe to call things back. Jones made 65 metres, the most of any player, with team-mate Jack Conan right behind with 64. Dan Sheehan rounded off a Lions top three with 50 metres to his name, something that will surely please Farrell as the Lions put their size and athleticism to good use. 11 – penalties conceded Victory in Brisbane was not without room for improvement, something captain Maro Itoje was keen to stress after the match. The Lions' discipline was an area of particular focus from both Itoje and Beirne afterwards, with their 11 penalties something that could cause problems if not addressed before the second Test in Melbourne. 'Overall, we stacked up, got the job done and roll on next week,' said Beirne. 'Our discipline needs to be a big focus, but I think we controlled the game, especially in the first half.' 6 - wins in a row Victory at Suncorp Stadium extended the Lions' winning run on the Tour to six matches. A match against First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday will look to extend that and will be a chance for others to stake a claim for a place in the matchday 23. Then it will be onto Melbourne and the MCG, where a crowd of up to 100,00 awaits the Lions.
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Andy Farrell commends ‘immense' Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry for proving doubters wrong
While there was palpable respect for the Joe Schmidt factor, and no doubt it may play a part in the week to come, the Lions ' First Test victory in Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium had Andy Farrell 's stamp all over it. Here was the latest example of Farrell's capacity to have a team emotionally supercharged yet not over-aroused, to impose themselves physically on opponents, to dominate the collisions and the breakdown, and to envelop them with aggressive line speed. It was hard, aggressive, focused rugby, the Lions cranking up their intensity in response to Max Jorgensen's 28th-minute try out of nothing to utterly dominate the Wallabies and effectively win the First Test with some smart yet brutal and clinical finishing. [ Lions secure first Test victory but Wallabies finish strong in Brisbane Opens in new window ] From the outset, the Lions' performance and the vast swathes of those clad in red among the 52,250 crowd, perhaps more than half, served to subdue the home team and supporters alike. Farrell had clearly wanted his side to spring out of the blocks and they duly delivered. READ MORE 'I felt we started the game pretty well, certainly physically, and that gave us a bit of momentum into how we played that first half on the back of that. Our game control was pretty good. I have no doubt in the second half Australia would have been pretty pleased with their physicality as well. Each game is different and the second game will take care of itself,' the Lions head coach said after their 27-19 win. All of Farrell's marginal calls were vindicated, not least those of Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry, who set the tone from the first minute when the latter stopped Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in his tracks and the former latched on to the ball for Finn Russell to open the scoring. The pair were immense. In light of whatever debate those selections may have generated, Farrell seems to have wound up both of them. [ Lions player ratings: Jamison Gibson-Park and Tadhg Beirne impress in first Test win over Wallabies Opens in new window ] 'I read all that. It was interesting wasn't it?' said Farrell when asked of those picks being justified. 'What do you think? Immense, absolutely immense. Big game players who were probably challenged by a good few. I think it told a story, Tom Curry put in some really nice shots defensively and Tadhg Beirne got the turnover very early doors and set the tone really and I don't think it stopped there, it carried on the same the whole game. ' Jack Conan 's carrying was very much on the front foot, so those three guys I am sure they will be delighted with the way they responded to selection.' Tadhg Beirne with his Player of the Match medal after the Lions' win over Australia in Brisbane. Photograph:One always suspected that while they played with plenty of width in the warm-up games, the Lions would be much more direct when it came toe Test series, and so it proved. 'You could see the difference in our game,' said Farrell. 'As I've said all along. The hardest part about any team coming together is gelling in attack because it takes a lot of cohesion for that to happen. 'We are trying to find out about ourselves in that regard, but as far as the game control and how you play Test matches that's something we've always been working on in the background and (been) conscious of. That's a given, really, for what Test match rugby should be about because you respect the game.' The Wallabies' strong response to falling 24-5 behind, ultimately only losing by eight points, serves as notice of their likely intent when they face a win-or-bust second Test. It may also suit Farrell's narrative this week too as the Lions may be better served by not being as ruthless as they could have been. Tate McDermott scores a try for the Wallabies. Photograph:'I thought we let them back into the game. It doesn't really matter if you think the game is won or lost. I thought we let them back into the game with regards to a lack of discipline in the second half. That gave them a bit of a sniff to get back in the game physically,' said Farrell. 'When you give a few penalties away, or you are under warnings, or there is a loose offload or carry, that pressures you a bit and we started losing a few collisions. I believe that is a fantastic place to be because there is so much more in us.' He said Joe McCarthy was hauled off early in the second half due to plantar fasciitis, adding: 'It was niggling away at him there. We got him off. Hopefully we got him off in time.' Joe McCarthy in action for the Lions against the Wallabies. Photograph:Meanwhile, Wallabies head coach Schmidt confirmed Rob Valetini and Will Skelton have passed fitness tests and will be available for next week's Test in Melbourne. The former Ireland head coach also refuted that the Wallabies had been disrespected in the build-up. 'No, I look at the strength and depth they've got. Their coaching team, obviously I've got a lot of admiration for a lot of people that I've worked with in the past and I knew they'd come with a really good plan to exert a lot of pressure on us,' Schmidt said. 'I just think that this time last year we probably would have melted, but I love the way this team is developing and we've got a very tough start to the season. 'We've got two more Lions Tests, then two Tests away in South Africa, and I just think it's going to be a really fantastic period for us to demonstrate some growth and to tighten some of the connections of the group that we've got.'
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Immense Lion Curry lets world-class performance speak for itself
When Andy Farrell was asked about the performance of his Twin Flankers of the Apocalypse - Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry - the British and Irish Lions coach practically lit up like a Christmas tree."Immense," he smiled in the wake of their outrageous efforts in the 27-19 win over the Wallabies. "Absolutely immense. Big game players who were probably challenged by a good few."Sione Tuipulotu, the first Scot to score a Lions Test try since Alan Tait in 1997, was of the same mind. "In big games they perform when it counts," said the centre. "Tom was amazing, he's a joy to play with. I always look at him and he always looks so sore when he's running around, he always looks in pain but he just keeps going. Testament to him. The same with Tadhg."They're two warriors of the game and they were a big reason why we won. Those two are like ball magnets. Wherever the ball is, they're in and around."There's no doubt about their seismic contribution in Brisbane. Beirne made 23 tackles, won three turnovers - one inside the opening minute - and was world class. Curry was just like a man possessed. Driven, aggressive, almost dangerous in his intensity, in the best possible sense. We went to interview Curry after the match and it was quite something. He didn't say much after his colossal night, but in a sense he'd said enough already. Not words, but actions. Thunderous, relentless and he entered the mixed zone after what will go down as one of his finest 58 minutes of his career - the Lions were leading 24-5 when he went off - Curry was about as effusive as a there's a beef there. Somebody has been in his ear, maybe filling his head with stuff to anger and inspire him. 'They've written you off Tom.' 'They don't think you deserve your place.' 'What message are you gonna send them on Saturday?'Who was doing the writing off? It actually doesn't matter. His brother Ben - currently touring with England - lambasted the cyber warriors, external for giving him stick that was "gobsmacking" and "incredibly disappointing".Maybe Tom, himself, thought it was the journalists who'd been on his case. Certainly, there's been stuff said and written about him not quite being at his brilliant and belligerent best, but that's fair comment. He hasn't been. We're talking a very, very high bar yes, there's been praise for Jac Morgan, who's had a good tour. Some observers would have had Morgan ahead of Curry. Many others would have said Curry's best stuff is other-worldly and he had to was dripped into his ear, it worked. Real or invented - it doesn't matter. Curry was extraordinarily good on the pitch and spectacularly taciturn in the aftermath. Almost heroically stoic.'How do you feel after that, Tom?'"Yeah, good."'Happy with your performance?'"I was happy."'Big hit [on James Slipper] at the start…"Yeah."'Atmosphere was amazing, eh?'"Yep."'Anything else on that, Tom?'"It was good."'How close do you think that was to a world-class performance?'"I don't know what world class is. It's such a cliched thing, isn't it? I don't really care what label you put on it - you just have to win."'How much more do you think you've got in you for next week?'"Loads."'In what areas?'"Every area."'That was your type of game, wasn't it?'"They're all my types of game."'I don't know if you picked up on any criticism that maybe you weren't in peak form coming into this. Did you pick up on any of that?"No, nothing."On it went, an occasional answer longer than a word or two, but not many, all delivered with a smile that hinted at something he wanted to say but wasn't going to. Because, again, he'd said everything he needed to say in his time on the field. Whoever he thought had doubted him, he'd answered them. Curry is a hard man and a phenomenal rugby player. He drove into the guts of the Wallabies from the opening seconds at the Suncorp and delivered that moment that sent the Lions on their burying Slipper in the tackle and setting up Beirne to win a turnover penalty, a tone was set. Farrell referenced that later on. They were monstrously physical and the third member of that back row, Jack Conan, was right up there with went looking for victims, smashing Max Jorgensen, nailing Fraser McReight, taking out Tom Lynagh in the air and giving away a penalty - a touch lucky not to get a yellow card - but Joe Schmidt had no major issue with it scored a try as well, of course. After he left, the bottom started to fall out of the Lions performance. Was it complacency? Farrell said no. Was it a subconscious belief that the game had already been won when the Lions went 24-5 ahead early in the second half? Maro Itoje denied was just a drop-off in discipline, some bad decisions. "That shouldn't happen," said Farrell. "We talk about next-moment-focused at all times and that certainly shouldn't happen. We certainly need to address it. Subconsciously, I guess that tends to happen, not that it should."Not that Itoje agreed with the subconscious point. "I don't think so," he replied when asked about the switch-off at 24-5. "I think we were a bit inaccurate with our decision-making and when you're not accurate with your decision-making against a good team you tend to put yourself under pressure. I think that's what happened in the second half."That and Curry exiting the stage when the Lions were threatening to run amok and trouble the record this supposed criticism of Curry, you wonder if Farrell played on that. You wonder if he brought Curry and Beirne together and played with their minds a little, maybe exaggerated the extent of the barbs, maybe asked a question or two of them."I wouldn't say they took it to heart," said Farrell. "We have conversations on 'why do you think you're selected?' and 'what is it that you're going to bring to the team performance?' and to a man they're unbelievably honest. They're men of their word."Meaning that whatever it was they told their coach they would produce they duly produced. Beirne spoke brilliantly later on. He covered all sorts of areas and delved into different issues with excellent perspectives. Curry went down a different road. It takes all sorts. He was stoic in the mixed zone but fantastically fluent in the language of Test match may his critics - whoever and wherever they are - take potshots at him, because the put-downs make him rise up. Another display like this and he might well cement his place in Lions history in Melbourne next Saturday - and the disapproving voices, if they exist at all, will be silent at last.
