Boss Andy Farrell has told his Lions they owe it to the travelling hordes to deliver in Saturday’s opening Test against the Wallabies. The Sea of Red has hit town in Brisbane in the last couple of days with around 35,000 expected by kick-off and Farrell has urged his side to deliver.
Supporters were barred from travelling to South Africa in 2021 because of the pandemic and Lions followers are making the most of this chance – and Farrell wants his side to put on a show.
The head coach said: “We want to see a performance that does everyone proud and, when I say everyone, you’re talking about thousands of people that are turning up.
“You’re walking around town, you can already feel it heating up and it will only ramp up. So, it’s making sure we do everyone proud here and at home with the type of performance that is one that’s going to walk forward to the challenge and be the best version of ourselves.
“You can talk about everything that the first Test always is on a Lions tour, but it’s making sure we’re concentrating on the performance and that we attack it from the get-go.”
Farrell has fond memories of Brisbane from his rugby league playing days when his Wigan side, captained by Shaun Edwards, beat the mighty Brisbane Broncos here to win the World Club Challenge in 1994.
But the boss reckons a series win down under would eclipse that triumph even if the Lions are overwhelming favourites with the bookies.
He added: “This is huge and would mean the world to me. 1994 was a great memory, but this seems just that little bit bigger.
“This is Test match football. You have to make sure you don’t have regrets and you don’t get in your own way. You don’t want to come off the pitch and think I wish I had another chance. You’ve got to make it happen when it matters.
“I get a sense that there’s a determined bunch that’s here looking forward to what we came over here for, and that’s to perform and win a Test series against Australia.”