Andy Farrell wants more from British & Irish Lions after narrow win over Waratahs - 'Fantastic learnings for us'
Published 05/07/2025 at 15:36 GMT+1
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The British & Irish Lions continued their winning start to their tour of Australia, but it was a less convincing victory against the Waratahs, who proved a stern test in Sydney. Lions head coach Andy Farrell emphasised the importance of learning from the match, insisting there is plenty of room for improvement ahead of his side's next match against the ACT Brumbies.
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British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell said his side's 21-10 victory over the Waratahs in Sydney will provide "fantastic learnings".
The tourists were frustrated for long periods against obdurate opposition, edging to victory thanks to tries from Huw Jones and Alex Mitchell.
Farrell called for improvement from his players, despite a third straight win. He said: "We are satisfied with the win, you have to celebrate every win.
"But with the amount of territory and possession we had, to come away with so much dropped ball, turnovers et cetera, to say we left a few out there is an understatement.
"It’s good learning for us, a different type of game, it was close and we were under pressure.
"We didn’t come out the blocks hard enough, we need to address that, we need to address our exits after scoring tries, we need to be more clinical there.
"It was a different type of game, the ground was wet, but it is good for us.
"They played hard at the breakdown, with big line speed. Sometimes we overplayed, it was better when we played more direct and off nine, so there are good learnings for us."
The Lions were hoping to build on an impressive 52-12 win over Queensland Reds, and they looked on course for another convincing victory when Huw Jones darted through to score the first try after 12 minutes.
The Waratahs responded well and thought they had hit back just before the half-hour mark when Charlie Gamble touched down, but it was disallowed for obstruction.
Moments later, the Lions extended their lead as Jones powered across the line for his second try of the half.
There was an instant response, though, through Darby Lancaster, whose try brought the Waratahs back into contention.
The Lions' tries had been converted by Fin Smith to give the visitors a 14-5 lead at half-time, but that was cut shortly after the break when Ethan Dobbins broke away from a maul to get his side's second try.
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Alex Mitchell scored the Lions' third try after 54 minutes to again establish a more comfortable lead, though that was the end of the scoring in a less than fluid display.
"Playing off slow-ish ball, shovelling ball on, trying to find a way when it’s wet, it isn’t the right thing to do, you are going to lose collisions," Farrell added.
"We have to state the obvious that for the Waratahs, they have been waiting for this a long time. We keep bouncing from game to game, but these teams have been waiting for this chance and we have to be ready for that.
"It is fantastic learnings for us and we will address those before the Brumbies game. They are a great side, as they have showed not just this season but in 2013 as well, we know what we are in for up there."
The Lions are next in action against the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday.
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