THIS WILL BE BRUTAL

Prop warns about wounded All Blacks

TADHG FURLONG knows the Lions will have to stand tall when they face the full fury of a New Zealand “Blacklash”.

The Irish contingent in the touring party have been preparing their team-mates accordingly for Saturday’s series decider.

Tighthead prop Furlong played his part in Ireland ending the All Blacks’ 18-match winning streak in Chicago last November.

Shattered

But a 21-9 defeat at the Aviva Stadium two weeks later saw the Kiwis exact revenge – something the world champions plan on serving up at Eden Park.

Furlong said: “I remember coming off the pitch in Dublin and being absolutely shattered.

“I was sore for days after it. It was one of the most brutal Test matches I’ve played in my short career, so I think everyone will expect that and try and tee themselves up for it.

“They’re probably in a similar position as we were the week just ® from PETE SAMSON gone, where your pride is a little bit dented. It’s a Test series – they’re going to be absolutely bulling for it, as we were.

“I don’t think they’ll massively change what they’re doing. They’ll try to physically come back at us, which is the same in pretty much every Test match.

“As a squad, you’d hope and think that we would be ready.”

The ferocity unleashed by the All Blacks eight months ago in Dublin suggests the British and Irish Lions will have to go through the pain barrier in Auckland.

Malakai Fekitoa was banned for a week for a high tackle on Simon Zebo, while Aaron Smith received a yellow card.

Sam Cane later apologised to Robbie Henshaw for the unpunished challenge which knocked out the Ireland centre.

Something similar could be brewing, with the wounded hosts out to avenge the 24-21 defeat in the second Test in Wellington.

Furlong added: “You always fear the All Blacks in the way that if you don’t get your stuff sorted, if you don’t man up and meet them head on head, it’s a tough day.

“They’ll cut you to ribbons in the wider channels if you give them that sort of space.”