BRUMBIES TOO SOON FOR OWEN AS LIONS CALL OUT SLIPPERY TACTICS

ANDY FARRELL accused the Waratahs of dirty tricks after an unconvincing win in Sydney - and warned that the game against Brumbies could come too soon for his son Owen, the late call-up.

- FROM ADAM HATHAWAY

British & Irish Lions boss Farrell claimed the Tahs had deliberately soaked the pitch to blunt the running game the Lions are trying to perfect on this trip.

The hosts hit back, claiming there had been a rainstorm in New South Wales on Tuesday when the Lions were in Brisbane preparing to play the Reds. But Farrell, who quizzed old pal and Waratahs assistant coach Mike Catt about the pitch, told his side to prepare for the worst from the Wallabies with the first Test just two weeks away.