Andy Farrell hits back at Lions selection critics

Lions boss Andy Farrell has hit back at the online criticism of his selection of Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry by calling their performances in the 27–17 first Test win over the Wallabies “immense”.

Internet experts took to their keyboards with fury when they were named in the team, claiming that the flankers were out of form, but were made to eat their words, and Farrell didn’t mince his.

“I read all that, it was interesting, wasn’t it? Immense, absolutely immense. Big game players who were probably challenged by a good few. I think it told a story. Tom Curry put in a really nice shot defensively.

“And Beirne got the turnover really early doors and set the tone really. I don’t think it stopped there. It carried on for the rest of the game.

“Jack Conan’s carrying was very much on the front foot. I’m sure these three guys will be happy with the way they responded to selection. Curry and Beirne are men of their word, and that’s what they delivered,” said Farrell.

“For those who know him and know him well and know his character. That was always going to happen (his performance). We said during the week about big game players, and Tom massively fits into that bracket.”

Farrell added that victory means that the Lions are now in the series until the final Test in Stadium Australia in a fortnight, and says the pressure is now on Joe Schmidt’s side in Melbourne in the second Test.

“It’s what both teams would have been desperate for today — to get off to a winning start. It’s huge. It puts the pressure on for next week.

“And it keeps us in the tour until the last game, it’s guaranteed, so I’m absolutely delighted. Big occasion and big game.

We know what it means to Australia, so they would have been targeting this.

“I’m delighted to have come away with a victory. I thought 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 that in the second half, Australia would have been happy with their physicality as well,” added Farrell.

Farrell was quick to sound a history warning when, as defensive coach on the 2013 tour, the Lions won the first Test 23–21 at Suncorp but were then defeated in the second Test in Melbourne before clinching a series win in Sydney.

“We know what’s coming in the second Test, how much more there is in us. So we roll on to the second game, knowing full well, as we did in 2013, what happens when an Australian team becomes desperate.

“It’s difficult to handle, so we expect a different game next week. But having said that, we expect more of ourselves as well.”