British and Irish Lions star Dan Sheehan admits their series-winning victory over Australia in Melbourne is ‘definitely something that will be etched in my memory for a long time’.
Andy Farrell’s tourists went into Saturday’s clash at the MCG 1-0 up in the series – but soon found themselves 23-5 down after a Wallabies onslaught in the opening 30 minutes.
The Lions recovered their composure and scored tries through Tom Curry and Huw Jones to reduce the deficit heading into the half-time break.
Tom Lynagh’s penalty gave the Wallabies a nine-point lead in the second half – but a fourth Lions try from Tadhg Beirne pulled them within two points of the Aussies.
And that set up a dramatic late finish which saw Hugo Keenan cross the line for a last-minute try which secured the series win with a game to spare.
Eyes on whitewash
Farrell’s men will be hunting a 3-0 series whitewash when the two teams lock horns again in Sydney on Saturday, August 2.
And Sheehan knows they cannot repeat their first-half no-show if they are to secure a clean sweep of all three Tests with Joe Schmidt’s Aussies.
He told Sky Sports: “We’ve had a few meetings where we need to be open and honest that it wasn’t good enough in the first half.
“It has to be an honest review and we have to get over the excitement of what has just gone on there.
“The lads have done a good job at owning up to that and making sure we put plans in place to make that right now to, as Henry Pollock said, win 3-0.
“I know he got a bit of heat for that but it was obviously the goal of the whole tour to make sure we did come away with a 3-0 win.
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Page turners
“The lads have turned the page well and I think we’re all looking forward to another big game in Sydney and you can already see the excitement around the city with the fans rolling in.
“There’s a big Irish and British contingent out here already so I think the lads are going to be up for it and excited for the weekend.”
Keenan’s match-winning try in the final minute sparked scenes of jubilation on the pitch and in the stands at the MCG, with a huge contingent of Lions fans having headed Down Under.
Sheehan understands the magnitude of their achievement – and how it will go down in history with even more reverence if they can win all three Tests against the Wallabies.
Celebration time
On the second Test victory itself, he added: “It’s definitely something that will be etched in my memory for a long time and I think for everyone that was there it will be in theirs as well.
“It was not a perfect performance from us but it probably added to the theatrics of the whole occasion and we’ve definitely celebrated it over the last two days.
“Australia did a great job at getting their big ball carriers over the gain-line and we were struggling to deal with them in the first half.
“Everyone did believe and we had the ability in the room for sure to make sure we had a good comeback and I thought the lads coming off the bench did a massive job for us.
Too close for comfort
“It all turned out right in the end but it’s probably too close for comfort.
“The joy it gave everyone there and everyone back home, it’s definitely something I’ll always hold on to. You have to cherish those moments and those few hours with the lads straight after a game.
“It’s something special, something you’ve grown up wanting to be a part of and on that occasion and that sort of stage, to do it in the MCG….a special, special day.”
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