Farrell: Lions must impose own game on New Zealand
ANDY Farrell was the main instigator of two of New Zealand’s most famous defeats in recent years and he knows the Lions will have to impose themselves if they are to clinch the series this summer.
The former GB Rugby League star was England backs coach when they stunned the All Blacks in 2012 and last November, as Ireland’s defence coach this time, he was successful again in Chicago.
“In the two games we have won, we have been able to deal with their purple patches and keep on imposing our game on them,” he said. “Too many teams in the past have tried to play like the All Blacks and tried to contain them. The right way to go is to apply your game against them.
“What happened in Chicago will be different come the first Test. The All Blacks are not stupid and worked out how Ireland played that day and put in a brilliant performance in my opinion back in Dublin two weeks later.
“Every side has different ways of playing and the All Blacks are the best at rolling with the punches and waiting for the counter and you have to be able to do that to them.”
Farrell is fully aware it will be easier said than done against a team who can score points for fun.
He added: “New Zealand usually score at least 30 points. Their record over a long period of time, 12 to 14 matches, was that no one conceded fewer than four tries against them.
“They have a good strike rate and for me to say we have to keep them to three, which happened in Chicago, is to accept we are going to concede tries.
“The strike rate is phenomenal and we know that they have the personnel to unlock any defence, not just through a fantastic attack but individual brilliance.
“We know that can happen but we do not want to concede any tries. Test rugby is again about having setbacks in their purple patches but being levelheaded and going again.”