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'Now I'm not a body language expert, but you can just feel it'

By PA
Tadhg Furlong (Photo By Ashley Vlotman/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Tadhg Furlong insists the British and Irish Lions have drawn on their experience of four years ago to tap into South Africa’s psyche for Saturday’s second Test.

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Warren Gatland’s tourists are one victory away from completing a series victory over the Springboks after emerging 22-17 winners from a fraught opener at Cape Town Stadium.

Furlong knows the mindset the world champions will adopt after the Lions lost the first Test in New Zealand in 2017 but bounced back a week later before going on to draw the series with the All Blacks.

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Mike Dawson & Mike Brown Quiz 3 (do Not use)

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Mike Dawson & Mike Brown Quiz 3 (do Not use)

“It is do or die isn’t it? I was part of a group four years ago that would have had a similar mindset going into a second Test after losing the first,” the Ireland prop said.

“It is do or die and it means so much for players on our side and players on their side and everything they have achieved. Everything is on the line isn’t it?

“We’re just trying to go out and win the game, there’s not a whole lot more in it. It’s trying to mentally get back up the hill to go play another huge Test game.

“We have one in the back pocket if we lose but it’s not about using that as an excuse or resting on those laurels.

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“There’s another few levels in us. I thought when we created opportunities at times, we let a few of them slip. So absolutely, when the time is to play and we get a chance to play, we need to play.

“At training today (Thursday) I thought the lads were really sharp. There’s a good energy about us and there’s a nice bit of bite there so everyone’s really looking forward to the weekend. You can feel that, you can feel that around the place.

Lions Furlong
Tadhg Furlong

“Now I’m not a body language expert or vibe expert, whatever you want to call it, but you can just feel it, some weeks you can just feel it.

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“It’s just there, nicely. We’re humming away so can’t wait for the weekend and see how it transpires.”

Furlong is not expecting a change in tactics from South Africa, whose build-up was heavily disrupted by an outbreak of coronavirus.

“They are very good at what they do and it wouldn’t surprise me if they came out and did that a little bit harder,” Furlong said.

“They were probably a bit Test match shy and they have a big Test match in their legs now. I suppose we are planning for the same and also planning if they change it up, to be adaptable.”

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T
TT 26 minutes ago
'No, it’s not, that’s the truth' - Andy Farrell rubbishes Ireland subplot

ABs by 4……


IF

The Razor gang has given the AB’s a game plan A, B, C & etc (unlike so many AB games since 2016). &


IF

AB’s play 80+ minutes. &


IF

ABs do their individual & team jobs error free (‘ish)  (unlike so many AB team since 2016). &


IF

All the ‘critical V Ireland’ AB form mobile forwards stay on field for the 80min S.Barrett, Sititi, Savea, and Vaa’i swap with Cane when he tires & Tuipulotu comes on. Finau back up. &


IF

The 10's get a better ‘cunning game plan’ than BB, ie his kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, ETC! (& MacK does have a better game plan). &


IF

Aumua can throw to lineouts . &


IF

The AB’s can remember their lineout calls (unlike too many V England games 1, 2 & 3). &


IF

Williams can be coached to stop being sucked into experienced tactics to drop him to the ground. &


IF

The AB coaches, teach all ABs some ‘soccer like’ drama queen fouling acting skills to make clear to the ref 1 of the most common Irish tactics ie obstruction by ‘stray’ decoy attackers around contact zone (tackle, ruck, maul). &


IF

The ABs have their arm out away if not tackling any, again, decoy attackers  (or defenders) that run into them to try milk penalties as England did (eg penalty  against  Cane the worst). &


IF

S.Barrett can change & captain with assertiveness & presence to even be noticed by the ref (way to passive). &


IF

There's no food poisoning.

7 Go to comments
J
JW 32 minutes ago
How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

HAHA don't ask me that! You tell me, if McMillian was the AB coach would he be selecting Dmac over Mo'unga!?!


Look, Dmac is clearly first choice. Razor said BB was a selection "just for this game", Dmac was always leading the two big ones. They rotated BB and Mounga the same way in 22.


Firstly, I'm a fan of BB when he's not gun shy. Do I think he's a first five? Of course not, he can hardly pass the ball 5 meters. Do I think he's likely to play again after being concussed? No, end of discussion.


Do I hate Mo'unga? No, of course not. He was the only reason we got within cooee of SA, him finding his footing at International level was their main reason for success. Do I think that resulted in him being a game orchestra or having played well in black the years prior to that? Of course not. Maybe you were just on the end of the better AB performances fran, outside of those games I'd suggest he wasn't as influential as you think. He has a good kicking game for sure, but it's certainly not up there with Carter or even some current 10s, and it's certainly not much better than DMac's (understand you own opinion still won't say that) despite him having a lot more development and experience.


He would obviously get a great opportunity from Razor if he came back, and DMac would possibly find he can be a good fullback or bench player under Razors guidance, but if you're wrong and Dmac actually performed better than Richie running the show, then he'll having Damien as his 10 come RWC time.


TLDR, JWH is a Cantab, Richie is one of my favourite players, we just think you've got the wrong context in this article and I think you're way off the mark on Richies strengths.

44 Go to comments
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