Coach says ‘joined at hip’ duo will click right away
Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell can play on instinct for the British and Irish Lions after five weeks “joined at the hip” in New Zealand, according to Andy Farrell.
Lions boss Warren Gatland has paired Sexton and Farrell as dual playmakers for today’s second Test against the All Blacks in Wellington.
The tourists must win at the Westpac Stadium to rescue the three-match series, following last weekend’s 30-15 first Test defeat.
Ireland star Sexton and England playmaker Farrell will start together for the first time, but assistant coach Andy Farrell insisted the pair have struck up a natural understanding on the training field.
“They train a lot together, they’ve been joined at the hip for the last five weeks,” said Andy Farrell of his son Owen and Ireland stand-off Sexton.
“They are constantly talking about rugby, they room together. So they live and breathe rugby and their partnership will be seamless, I’m sure.
“They are very similar characters. They are both obviously big students of the game and have won a lot of things along the way as well.
“More than anything it’s how they make people feel, how they make the people around them feel; the energy that they bring.”
Defence coach Farrell also warned the Lions not to expect the All Blacks to play the same way in the second Test as they did last weekend in Auckland.
“If I just concentrated on one player or one way of playing that the All Blacks played I’d be a fool,” said Farrell of his role as Lions defence specialist.
“They are masters of not doing the same thing twice. We’ve got to be ready for all outcomes.”