Prop braces for ‘brutal’ ABs backlash

At age 24, British and Irish Lions tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has achieved what some top players strive a whole rugby career for.

He’s beaten the All Blacks twice, away from home, in the space of eight months. Saturday’s act two in Wellington was even watched by his proud parents, fresh from a long-haul flight where his father spent 14 hours staring at the air map on his screen, Furlong joked.

Furlong and Ireland teammates Jack McGrath, Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are the only Lions to have achieved that most recent double, after Saturday’s 24-21 victory set up an epic series decider in Auckland. ‘‘I am incredibly lucky,’’ Furlong said.

Yes, that quartet have insight into the mindset and physicality required to beat the world champions. But last November’s 40-29 win in Chicago also reinforced the ferocity of the All Blacks’ reply, when they stormed back 21-9 in Dublin a fortnight later.

‘‘I remember coming off the pitch in Dublin, being absolutely shattered.

‘‘I was sore for days after. It was one of the most brutal tests I’ve played in my short career. Everyone will expect that [on Saturday] and we will tee ourselves up for that,’’ said Furlong, the 119kg strongman with 16 Ireland caps since his debut in the 2015 World Cup.

Wounded pride is a big motivator and Furlong said that lifted the Lions for Wellington, after the All Blacks outmuscled them in Auckland. So, now it’s the hosts’ turn to respond.

Asked if the All Blacks’ aura was dimming, Furlong replied: ‘‘You always fear the All Blacks in that if you don’t get your stuff sorted or man up and meet them head-on-head it’s a tough day at the office. If that doesn’t happen they’re going to cut you to ribbons in the wider channels if you give them any space.

‘‘Likewise, they can score tries from anywhere on the park. If none of that works, they’re just so damn consistent and good at holding onto the ball. They’re so tough to beat and you have to keep attacking them but that’s easier said than done.’’

That mutual respect starts with the front rowers’ club.

Furlong, Jamie George and Mako Vunipola were strong performers for the Lions in the Wellington wet, and took a moment with their opposites Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks afterwards. Moody revealed they’d ‘‘spun a bit of chat’’ and he’d swapped jerseys with Furlong.

Saturday will be the fourth time on tour the Lions have clunked heads with the all-Crusaders front row, but Furlong said familiarity didn’t make it any easier.

‘‘The outside world doesn’t give the All Blacks scrum the credit they deserve.

‘‘Believe me, they are a very, very strong unit. Sometimes you’re just holding on to get parity, especially on your ball and it’s hugely competitive.

‘‘It’s a weird dynamic playing each other so often because you can get used to little things but then you go to the next match and they try to bring something different and you have to counter. It’s sort of tit for tat.’’

Discipline in the heat of the moment could be the deciding factor in Auckland.

Sonny Bill Williams’ red card for a shoulder charge on Antony Watson cost his team dearly, then he received a four-week ban. Vunipola got a yellow card for a shot on Beauden Barrett, and Lions flanker Sean O’Brien escaped sanction for a swinging arm on Waisake Naholo.

Echoing assistant coach Graham Rowntree, Furlong said penalties were a ‘‘huge issue’’ that would be discussed at length as the tourists recharge in Queenstown before heading to Auckland today.

The 13-8 penalty count in the All Blacks’ favour could have finished the series if all Beauden Barrett’s kicks had gone over.

Still, the Lions got a result at the Sunday judiciary with O’Brien - who missed last year’s Chicago test - cleared to play the decider after an influential performance at Westpac Stadium.

‘‘He’s huge. Sean is a big leader. I don’t know if you get access to the ref’s mics but you can always hear him shouting and talking in his high pitched tone,’’ Furlong said.

‘‘He’s very vocal. He leads and talks at team meetings. I’m very lucky to come up under his tutelage with Leinster. I can’t speak highly enough of him of his influence on Ireland and this group.’’