Tuesday 4 July 2017 12:59, UK
Tadhg Furlong has warned the British and Irish Lions to prepare for a "brutal" Test match in Saturday's series decider with New Zealand.
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.
New Zealand slugged past Ireland 21-9 in Dublin in November 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 at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
"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, as 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.
Steve Hansen's All Blacks certainly unleashed plenty of latent rage at the Aviva Stadium and Furlong knows the Lions must now steel themselves for a brutal onslaught.
"I think you always fear the All Blacks in the way that if you don't get your stuff sorted, if you don't man up and meet them head on head it's a tough day at the office," said Furlong.
"If that doesn't happen they'll cut you to ribbons in the wider channels if you give them that sort of space.
"They can score a try from anywhere they're that dangerous, they've threats all over the park.
"If none of that works they're just so damn consistent, good at holding onto the ball. They're a tough team to beat. You have to keep attacking them, but it's easier said than done."
Warren Gatland has handed his Lions squad two days off this week ahead of Saturday's series decider.
Furlong was among those who took full advantage of the free time on Monday as he rented a helicopter in Queenstown along with Lions team-mates Johnny Sexton, Peter O'Mahony, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Conor Murray and Jack McGrath.
