Get ready for biggest game, boss tells Lions after scare

ANDY Farrell braced his British and Irish Lions for the “biggest game of our lives” in Saturday's second Test against Australia after the First Nations and Pasifika XV were dispatched 24-19 in Melbourne.

- By DUNCAN BECH

The Lions retained their 100% record in seven matches Down Under but only after surviving a scare against scratch opponents comprising of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage.

It was the first time since arriving in Australia that they faced the prospect of losing but they weathered the storm to register an important victory ahead of their attempt at clinching the series against the Wallabies at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“There will have to be plenty of improvement to get to the point where there's a win on the cards because we know Australia are going to be a lot better,” said head coach Farrell.

“If you can’t get up for what's coming, we're all in the wrong place. To me, this is the biggest game of our lives for every one of us who is part of our squad.”

Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen remain the biggest injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s team announcement and have yet to train this week because of foot problems.

It appears increasingly unlikely they will be involved, but Farrell will give them until tomorrow's morning training session to prove their fitness.