British & Irish Lions fullback Blair Kinghorn’s knee harm that marred a patchy win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday didn’t appear critical, coach Andy Farrell has mentioned.
The Lions needed to work for his or her 36-24 win over a depleted Brumbies group, a few of whose greatest gamers have been absent at Australia’s coaching camp.
Kinghorn got here off early within the first half and spent the remainder of the match icing his left knee.
Shedding Kinghorn would pose issues for Farrell forward of the primary Wallabies take a look at on July 19, given he’s already with out utility again Elliot Daly for the three-match collection.
Requested after the match if he feared the worst for Kinghorn, Farrell mentioned, “No”.
The fullback had been singing on the mattress the place employees have been assessing him, he mentioned.
“He received a bang on the knee. He carried on for fairly a bit however there was no must hold him going … he is in good spirits.”
Marcus Smith, who got here on for Kinghorn, carried out properly, scoring one of many Lions’ 5 tries.
“He had some very nice touches,” Farrell mentioned. “He is harmful with the ball in hand. It is good learnings for him.”
Farrell fielded a lineup near the one anticipated for the primary Wallabies match, with lock Maro Itoje recalled as captain and flyhalf Finn Russell directing play.
The Lions had a poor begin, conceding a attempt within the opening minutes, however imposed themselves for a fourth successive win on their Australian tour, following victories over Western Pressure, Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs.
“Our sport management was fairly good tonight, which allowed us to maintain the strain on in the suitable finish of the sector. In order that’s a pleasant step ahead,” Farrell added.
“We’re in a great place … we’re doing properly in sure points of the sport, in matches and begins and and so on, however we have to enhance in all areas.”
“It is a good feeling,” mentioned Itoje, sitting subsequent to Farrell on the post-match press convention.
“We all know we’re not the completed article, we all know that we’ve to get higher, we all know that we’ve to enhance. However I feel that is a fairly good place for us to be in.”
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