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Six Nations statement: Tom Curry 'Tunnelgate' incident
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Tom Curry anger at critics evident in awkward 92-second exchange with press
By Neil Fissler
Tom Curry wasn’t in the mood for compliments during a bizarre 92-second appearance in the media mixed zone after the British & Irish Lions’ 27-19 first Test win over the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
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The Sale Sharks and England star, whose selection by Lions boss Andy Farrell ahead of Wales flanker Jac Morgan had the internet selection experts furiously hitting their keyboards to vent their anger.
It was a decision that meant Wales had no representatives in the Lions matchday squad for the first time since 1896, and Curry’s twin brother Ben even jumped to his defence, calling the criticism “gobsmacking.”
The Lions answered his critics, especially those from Wales, in the strongest way possible with what was seen as one of his best performances, including scoring the second of the Lions’ three tries five minutes before half time.
Farrell admitted that he thought the Curry was immense and that his physicality set the tone for the Lions’ first-half performance, which ultimately led them to winning the first of the three-match series.
Curry made 10 tackles, two of which were dominant, completed seven carries before being taken out of the fire line and replaced after 57 minutes, much to the Wallabies’ relief, having made his point in the strongest possible way.
He was narrowly pipped to the match of the match award by his back-row partner Tadhg Beirne, who was another player supposedly not worthy of selection by Farrell because the bedroom warriors deemed him not to be in form.
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Curry, who is normally very good value on media appearances, wasn’t in the mood for compliments when asked about his world-class performance before sticking to short answers of a handful of words.
“I don’t know what world-class is. It’s such a cliche thing, isn’t it? The thing is to win, and I don’t really care what label you put on it. I gave everything, and that’s all I ask for from myself,” were the highlights of his blunt replies.