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Another step in the right direction - Farrell positive after Lions win

Owen Farrell kicks during the Lions’ win over the Crusaders

Owen Farrell feels the British and Irish Lions are progressing nicely as they head towards the first Test against New Zealand in a couple of weeks.

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The Saracens fly-half kicked all of the Lions’ points on Saturday as Warren Gatland’s side battled to a 12-3 win over the Crusaders, who have won all 14 of their Super Rugby outings this season.

Conditions in Christchurch made running rugby difficult but the Lions’ defence was exceptional with Farrell knocking over four penalties and missing by the tiniest of margins with another.

After their defeat to the Blues on Wednesday drew plenty of criticism, Farrell felt this win at AMI Stadium represented positive progress.

“We caused them some problems at times and hopefully in games coming up we’ll be more clinical,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s another step in the right direction I think. It takes time to get used to each other, we’ve got to put the work in not just on the field and in training but 24/7.

“We’ll look at the positives as well as the stuff we can work on but obviously these are a quality side, they’re not going to give tries away so it was good.

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“I didn’t think the game was massively quick. I thought our boys at line-out time controlled the tempo. We put them under pressure and backed it up with some defensive work which was brilliant.”

Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock, meanwhile, was disappointed with his side’s showing as their perfect record in 2017 came to an end.

“Our mistakes allowed them into the game, they’re a quality side with a massive amount of Test rugby [experience],” he said. “They squeezed us out and we were trying to play catch-up rugby.

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“There were some big shots from both sides. The boys enjoyed getting off the line and they did the same. It was great to play in and no doubt [made for] some great watching.

“We’re not happy with the way we played but full credit to the Lions boys.”

 

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Tom 53 minutes ago
My single biggest issue with Owen Farrell call – Andy Goode

“He has subsequently agreed a deal to return to Saracens and I’ve heard that those negotiations did include some tough conversations around his conduct and demeanour and the effect that has on those around him.”


Interesting. This is the thing with Faz. He obviously drives standards but his voice clearly dominates the dressing room and drowns out other voices. I feel he brings the best out of people in terms of fronting up and brings the worst out of people in terms of creativity and instinct. Every 9, 10, 12, 13 who's played inside or outside of him for England has looked cowed.


I will never forget when Cips was pulling up trees and could no longer be ignored, he forced his way into the team for the third test against SA and Faz spent the whole game at first receiver and Cips barely got the ball in his hands. Then at the death Cips finally gets the ball and puts in a worldy kick to send May in the corner while Faz is jumping up and down screaming at him. I've never drank the koolaid. I appreciate Faz does some stuff at a world class level and he's a born leader but he's myopic, uncreative, lacks a running game and kicks away far too much attacking possession.


If he comes back into England contention it will muddy the waters and delay the development of Fin Smith. Inevitably Borthwick will put Faz at 12 and Fin will struggle both to express himself and to play with a 12 that doesn't fix defenders and will relentlessly grubber kick it away in areas of the field where we should be holding possession and building multiphase pressure.


As for his Lion's call up it's hard to say it's not nepotism given he has absolutely no form whatsoever.

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