Martin Johnson was drafted in by the Lions this week to inspire them to a series clinching victory in Melbourne tomorrow (Saturday). Johnson, twice a captain of the Lions, and England’s World Cup-winning captain handed out jerseys to the players before giving insight into winning massive games.
The squad were in awe when the former second row talked – even though some weren’t born when he captained the tourists to a series win in South Africa in 1997. He was pulled into camp by former Welsh wing Ieuan Evans, who toured with Johnson three times and is now the manager of the party.
Forwards’ coach John Fogarty said: “They knew who he was for sure. It was a completely quiet room because they wanted to listen to a guy they see as an icon. It was pretty cool. There were guys just staring up at him.
“Maro Itoje asked him a question or two and then he handed out the jerseys. There was a bit of contemplation and reflection after he talked which is a good thing. It is what you want. You don’t just want to turn around and get your dinner.”
Johnson was also captain in the near-miss in Australia in 2001, a result he still regrets at the age of 55.
“It was a privilege,” added Fogarty. “He talked a bit about the Lions series they won and the Lions series they lost and the difference in them. He spoke about how in the biggest games the fundamentals are incredibly important. There’s going to be errors but not compounding errors with errors is a huge part of winning.”
Australia v British & Irish Lions, 11am, Sky Sports
Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt)
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson
Lions: Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (capt), Ollie Chessum, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Blair Kinghorn
Ref: Andrea Piardi (ITA)