Tadhg Furlong urges Lions to measure up to All Blacks in physical battle

British and Irish Lions' Tadhg Furlong pictured during the tour match in Rotorua (Picture: David Davies/PA Wire).

Ireland prop Furlong fully expects a furious backlash from a New Zealand side bound to be stung by the Lions’ 24-21 victory in Saturday’s second Test. The Lions edged home in Wellington thanks to tries from Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray and Owen Farrell’s last-gasp penalty, while Sonny Bill Williams was sent off for the hosts.

New Zealand slugged past Ireland 21-9 in Dublin on November 19 last year, avenging their 40-29 Chicago defeat from two weeks earlier.

Furlong featured in both matches and now expects a repeat of that fervour from the wounded All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.

“When your pride is a little dented, you come out and you’ll be absolutely bulling for it,” said Furlong, with the Lions series in the balance at one win apiece.

“You’ve got to get your detail right, be physically and emotionally at that pitch where you can compete and then try to go toe to toe.

“That match in Dublin, I remember coming off the pitch and being absolutely shattered. I was sore for days afterwards.

“It was one of the most brutal Test matches I’ve played in my short career. So we all expect to have the same thing again and we’ve got to tee ourselves up for it.”

Ireland registered their first win over the All Blacks in 111 years of trying in that stunning Soldier Field triumph back in November.

Joe Schmidt’s men were then overpowered in a ruthless display of muscle-flexing by the back-to-back world champions in the rematch in Dublin.

Sam Cane wiped out Robbie Henshaw with a head-high shoulder hit and was merely penalised, while Malakai Fekitoa was sin-binned for a dangerous hit on Simon Zebo.

The All Blacks certainly unleashed plenty of latent rage at the Aviva Stadium and Furlong knows the Lions must steel themselves for a brutal onslaught.

Asked if two wins over the All Blacks in eight months dims New Zealand’s aura, Furlong insisted the Lions must remain wary.

The All Blacks will chase a 40th match unbeaten at Eden Park this weekend, while the Lions will attempt to complete only their second series win in New Zealand.

“I f you don’t man up and meet them head on head it’s a tough day at the office,” said Furlong.