Faletau: We CAN turn it around
TAULUPE FALETAU insists the British and Irish Lions can fend off both the weight of history and the might of the All Blacks to win the Test series.
New Zealand bludgeoned the Lions into submission in the first Test clash at Eden Park.
The Lions have overturned a 1-0 series deficit only on two occasions – in Australia in 1899 and again in 1989 – and have still won just one series in New Zealand, in 1971.
The back-to-back world champion All Blacks extended their Eden Park unbeaten run to 39 games and will clinch the series with victory at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.
But Lions No8 Faletau said: “We still believe we’re capable of winning the next game and getting what we want out of this tour, which is the series win.
“We’ve got to go back to the drawing board to solve a few issues.
“But there’s no need to panic, we just need to get our basics right, holding onto the ball.
“It’s tough against the world champions. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll work hard for it.”
The All Blacks dominated in the forwards, particularly in the tight five, much to coach Steve Hansen’s delight. But Wales backrower Faletau insisted: “There was not much in it, just little errors.
“They capitalised on our errors better than we did theirs.
“We came into this game thinking we would win, obviously it didn’t go that way but we feel we are more than capable of winning the next game.”