The British & Irish Lions have kick started their 2025 tour with an emphatic 47-7 win over the Western Force.
The scoreline fails to reflect the Force's fight in the first half, but the Lions' quality couldn't be denied as they lit up Optus Stadium.
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Here's what the big names had to say after the win.
“It’s pretty cool to be a Lion now. They can’t take that away from you. I’m absolutely buzzing.
“I thought it was a really good performance to start our tour in Australia and a lot to build on but it was quick out there.”
“46,000 here, it’s unreal but disappointed because that scoreline doesn’t reflect that game at all.
“Good fun and pretty special to play in front of this crowd. It was a Sea of Red and a Sea of Blue.
“It was a big occasion and I don’t think that scoreline reflected the first 50 minutes. We left a few points out there but we got stuck right into them and it had a real Test match intensity about it.”
“It’s all sinking in. All week I’ve been focused on the game and making sure I don’t lose the plot in the head.
“I’ve grown up wanting to play in this jersey, nevermind captaining, and there was a lot of lads wearing the jersey for the first time so we need to enjoy this.
“I thought we started really well but we were then on the back foot because of ill-discipline and some inaccuracy, especially at restart. I think it’s improvement on the scoreline and especially how we closed out the game…but there’s still things to work on, especially with our discipline.”
“It’s been a whirlwind, it’s all come so fast. I’m starting to hit my stride and I love the big stage and the pressure. What a great group and I’m honoured to be here
“It’s an amazing group and team to be a part of. We’re four great nations and some of the best players in the Northern Hemisphere.
“Im honoured to be and I can speak for everyone when I say it’s an amazing group. Everyone is trying to learn and get better. We’re all trying to be the best teammates because this campaign and group are only together for a short time, and we’re trying to write history.”
"I thought the first half was really good. A few things we had planned worked pretty well.
"Disappointed we didn't stay on in that penalty where they tapped and scored that try, that was an easy seven points and that's a big learning for our guys, constantly staying on."
