British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell mentioned Henry Pollock’s withdrawal earlier than kickoff was precautionary and reported a clear invoice of well being for the remainder of his facet after their win over the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday.
Pollock, who has loved a meteoric rise this yr, was named at blindside flanker for his third Lions match however was a late withdrawal from the Sydney Soccer Stadium conflict.
“It was only a little bit of an consciousness on a calf pressure that was tight sufficient this morning so, figuring out what we knew, there was no must threat him,” Farrell instructed reporters after the unconvincing 21-10 victory.
The Lions have misplaced gamers for the rest of the tour of their first two matches in Australia, scrum-half Tomos Williams struggling a hamstring harm and Elliot Daly breaking his arm.
Farrell mentioned his staff had come by means of Saturday’s match unscathed.
“That is a very good optimistic at this stage,” he mentioned.
He was much less impressed with the error-prone efficiency of his facet and instructed the Waratahs might need watered the pitch earlier than the match to make the situations harder.
“I imply, that is good techniques from them, is not it? That the ball’s slippy, the breakdown’s ferocious sufficient and the road pace is excessive octane stuff from them as effectively,” he mentioned.
“We saved on attempting to overplay at occasions, actually round midway, and placing ourselves again below stress and holding them within the recreation.
“And that quantity of turnover ball is credit score to them, clearly, however not ok from us.”
Farrell introduced his son Owen into the squad as an harm alternative for however mentioned Wednesday’s match towards the ACT Brumbies would most likely be too early for him.
The Brumbies beat the Lions on their final tour of Australia 12 years in the past.
“It appears like there might be a little bit of rain in order that’s good for us, we have to play in that as effectively,” Farrell mentioned.
“However we additionally know that they are high facet within the Australian division, and we additionally know what occurred so far as the Lions is anxious in 2013, so we all know it is a large day on Wednesday for us all.”
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