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 aspect 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, understanding what we knew, there was no must danger 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 crew had come by means of Saturday’s match unscathed.
“That is constructive at this stage,” he mentioned.
He was much less impressed with the error-prone efficiency of his aspect and recommended the Waratahs might need watered the pitch earlier than the match to make the circumstances more durable.
“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 nicely,” he mentioned.
“We saved on making an attempt to overplay at occasions, actually round midway, and placing ourselves again beneath stress and holding them within the sport.
“And that quantity of turnover ball is credit score to them, clearly, however not adequate from us.”
Farrell introduced his son Owen into the squad as an harm substitute for however mentioned Wednesday’s match in opposition to 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 may very well be a little bit of rain in order that’s good for us, we have to play in that as nicely,” Farrell mentioned.
“However we additionally know that they are high aspect within the Australian division, and we additionally know what occurred so far as the Lions is worried in 2013, so we all know it is a large day on Wednesday for us all.”
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