Ach é a raibh iontach taught again The British and Irish Lions’ Series Triumph – A Dream Come True. We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalise advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences.
This is a summary of Andy Farrell’s media session in the wake of the British and Irish Lions’ success in Australia, emphasising what it has meant to him, the character of his team and the contribution of all his staff.
Main Themes and Key Ideas:
- A Dream Fulfilled:
The primary and predominant theme is that of a long-standing dream coming true for the players. Farrell keeps reminding you that to become a British and Irish Lion and win a series of this scale has been the culmination of a lifetime’s ambition. He states:
“These lads have … dreamed about being a British and Irish Lion their whole lives and to go out there and win that series … that does make you dream and that is something nobody can ever take away.”
“That is what dreams are made of, this is I, the boys…this is a dream for every single one in that dressing room, they….of being a British and Irish lion all their life “
He tells him straight up how inspirational the win is for the next generation, saying, “If you’re a kid at home thinking, ‘I want to play rugby, I want to be a British and Irish Lion 100% that’s the dream and that’s the fairytale that these lads have have wished for since it was that [high].
- Perseverance and Finding A Way:
Farrell often praises his side for overcoming adversity and finding solutions when things are not going their way. And here is a key point about their character and performance:
“We just kept on finding a way, and that’s the pleasing thing, the best thing about it, st kept on finding a way even in even in the latter stages.
He points to their penetration in offence: Every time that we got down into the 2,2 we… we looked dangerous.
On the second half, he admits: “It wasn’t all going our way in the second half… the way that we held our nerve and when we got down to that last 10 minutes [was]… outstanding.”
- Collective Squad Effort:
It’s not presented as a victory for the guys, but as a team victory for hundreds of people. This is a reminder of the significance of every member:
“I’m thrilled for everyone, it’s been, everyone has contributed has been a huge squad effort, you know,, all the players have the players who’s come in who who’ve left,, the guys who got injured at the sta, rt who’ve added to what we’re doing, all the the back room staff.
He reserves special attention for the substitutions, adding: “I thought Jack… was brilliant when he came on and the rest of the bench as well.” - The Rediscovery and its Reasoned Conclusion:
Farrell acknowledges the drama of the final minutes – and, specifically, the winning “try” – and effectively gives the result the seal of approval against dissention, should there be any. “The big picture is the dramatic finish,” he says of the final score. He also makes mention of the post-match talk or argument with the opposing captain:
“Their captain was out there trying to make a point and trying to, as it were,,e argue, in my view, for something that didn’t happen… and I suppose I was out there arguing for something that did happen.”
He concludes confidently: “Fortunately… Jack was right where he was supposed to,, and everything was good.” This is a strong believer in the legitimacy of the winning play.
- The Significance of the Setting:
The bright lights of the MCG, 90 odd thousand people, put even more of a shine on that dream – and it makes it more real.
