FARRELL: HURT LIONS ARE READY TO MAN UP

THE ‘wounded’ Lions exuded defiance yesterday as they prepared to cause an upset in today’s do-or-die second Test against the All Blacks. Bookmakers have New Zealand as firm favourites — with odds of 5-1 against a Lions victory. But Lions defence coach Andy Farrell insisted: ‘The underdog has always had his day, hasn’t he? I certainly wouldn’t back against us. We’re playing the best team in the world in their own backyard, they’re 1-0 up and we need to win. It doesn’t get any bigger than that, does it? We’ll see what we’re made of. ‘I wouldn’t say I’m relaxed because I’m simmering myself, but there’s an air of confidence. We’ve been honest about what it is going to have to take to win the game. There’s a sense of excitement to see how well we can play.’ In the aftermath of the 30-15 loss at Eden Park last weekend, Gatland questioned the pride of his players. The message has been taken on board and the chosen men are determined to make amends. ‘There’s a simmering mood,’ said Farrell. ‘It’s about character this week for us. It’s about manning up, putting everything on the line. It’s do or die for us and these guys are a little bit hurt about the manner in which the game went. We will see what we are made of this week. ‘We have to make sure we get the balance right and make sure we don’t over-play the emotional card because we have to be smart rugby players as well. You can tip people over the edge and not let them be the rugby players they are, so you have to be cute about it. ‘We need to see a reaction, but you don’t just win the game by being raging mad.’ Mako Vunipola is one of those forwards who has been given a chance to make amends and he admitted that the players have been stung by Gatland’s suggestion that they lacked pride. Vunipola said: ‘He has laid the gauntlet down for us. I know personally that when he said that, I wanted the opportunity to go out there again and prove him wrong. It’s up to us as a forward pack to prove him wrong and put a statement out there. ‘We are going into it wounded. A bit of pride is on the line after what Gats said. ‘We’ve talked all week about it being the biggest game of our lives. There is no bigger honour for us than to play for the Lions against the best team if the world.’