Andy Farrell was full of praise for his side’s improved composure and patience as the British & Irish Lions rebounded from their opening tour defeat with a commanding 54–7 win over the Western Force in Perth.
The Lions ran in eight tries with Tomos Williams scoring twice before limping off injured. Garry Ringrose, Joe McCarthy and Elliot Daly also crossed as the tourists pulled away in the second half following an error-strewn but physical opening 40 minutes.
However, it was one moment of selfless effort, not a try, that stood out most to the head coach.
“It’s a new-ish team. We showed plenty of learning from last week and it should be the same again from this week,” Farrell said after the game.
“When we got our composure in the second half, we were able to be nice and calm. Let’s be honest, the Force took it to us. I thought they played a tough, high-percentage game.”
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“They kept the ball really well and we kept them in good field position through our ill-discipline.”
“It was a really good test for us in that first half; I was glad about how we composed ourselves at half-time and kept our composure throughout the second half.”
“There are nine new caps there. A couple of lads have not played but they will get to play in the next couple of games.”
“It is nice to get tries on the board and we had a few good individual performances. That is all good for the future, and we have to keep pushing one another.”
Farrell singled out winger Mack Hansen, who after a mixed bag of a first half, provided Farrell with what he described as the play of the day.
“The play of the day, I mean, there were some fantastic tries, weren’t there? But the play of the day if you want to look what a Lion should do for his teammates was when Mack Hansen went up and down the field, end-to-end, never gave up, and fought for his teammate,” said Farrell.
“That’s the type of spirit that we want throughout the team. So a nice example there.”
