Stand-in skipper Brian O’Driscoll is ready to lead the British & Irish Lions to a series victory in Sydney on Saturday.
The Ireland centre has been given the opportunity to captain the Lions in the third and final Test after Sam Warburton injured his hamstring near the end of the 16-15 defeat to Australia in Melbourne last weekend. That defeat leveled the series at one apiece, ensuring that it goes down to the wire on Saturday.
The Wales flanker is gutted at being ruled out of such an important match, but is staying in Sydney to help as best as he can with the build-up.
He said: “I wish the team all the best and hope I can play some part in the build-up this week. I am confident that the boys can finish the job off and secure the series win.”
O’Driscoll for one will be praying that Warburton’s confidence rubs off, as he himself has been on the losing side three times on previous tours, and will be hoping it’s a case of fourth time lucky.
Ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Sydney he said: “We haven’t played well yet, we’ve defended reasonably well, albeit we did let them in for a seven-pointer in the last few minutes but we’ve shown nothing.
“This week in particular is a re-run of 2001 – you’re down a little bit after the second Test but you can’t afford to be down for long. You have to realise there is one more huge opportunity that lies ahead of you.”
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