The British and Irish Lions trainer Andy Farrell considered its options before the “biggest game of our life” on Wednesday with some selection puzzles for the second test against Australia.
So far, the tourists have won all seven games in Australia, including a polished 27-19 win against the Wallabies in the first test in Brisbane.
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You can complete the series on Saturday at Melbourne Cricket Ground and write your names in the history books.
“If you can’t get up what comes, we are all in the wrong place,” said Farrell, after a second lion survived a storm against a first nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.
“For me, this is the greatest game of our lives for each of us who is part of our squad.”
The Lions defeated the Pasifika page 24-19 to maintain their perfect record on Australian ground, but it was not always pretty with the physicality of the hosts and the never permissible attitude that caused problems.
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“There has to be a lot of improvement to get to the point where a victory is on the cards because we know that Australia will be much better,” added Farrell.
“We started playing the game a bit like an exhibition game, and it would never be like that. We don’t have the right to play.”
Before the game, Farrell said that it was a late chance for players to make a selection in the test 23, and now a decision has to be made whether the Scottish full -back Blair Kinghorn did enough to push Ireland’s Hugo Keenan off the start page.
British media reports suggested that Joe McCarthy and Wing Mack Hansen, Lock of the first choice, will not be fit for Saturday, although these positions are also at stake.
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Farrell’s son Owen, who was overlooked for the first test, skipped the team on Tuesday and both composed and influential.
Four-time Lions head coach Ian McGechan told Sky Sports that the “test match-animally” made a strong case to be included in the matchday group.
After the performance of his son, Farrell only asked: “Nice little chip from the left Peg. Some good things from him.”
If Owen Farrell gets the nod, Marcus Smith appears the likely autumn man.
Smith was started as a replacement against Pasifika, but went to an evaluation of the head injuries (HIA), which Farrell said he was passed and was available.
MP/DH