FARRELL: PAIN IN THE RAIN WON'T TAKE AWAY PRIDE IN SERIES VICTORY

ANDY Farrell insists the British and Irish Lions should be proud of the achievement of winning a series in Australia despite the third Test defeat.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

The tourists won their first series since 2013 but were poor at times against a Wallabies side who had the bit between their teeth in Sydney.

But despite targeting a series whitewash, Farrell insists this will be viewed as a great achievement once the dust settles.

"There is to be frustration there because, as we have said all along, we want to win every game," he said.

"But the best team won the night.

"I've just said to the lads, on reflection, it may take one or two beers to be unbelievably proud of what they have achieved throughout this tour.

"We all know how difficult it is to be successful on a Lions tour against a good side like Australia, and they are a good side, and they proved that over the series.

"We have played some outstanding rugby over the last six to eight weeks, and this led to an unbelievably special moment last week that will stay with us forever."

Farrell is also confident the Wallabies will be a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup in two years time.

"The Wallabies' progress in the last 18 months has been through the roof, and look at the side out there over the last three weeks, they are one hell of a team," he said.

"I said to Joe (Schmidt) out there on the pitch, I think that special things are going to happen for this team over the next 18 months, and when the World Cup comes around, they will be a force to be reckoned with.