As the British and Irish Lions stand on the precipice of a historic series whitewash, fly-half Finn Russell insists the battle is far from over. With the Lions holding a dominant 2-0 lead against the Wallabies, all eyes turn to Sydney for a final showdown. A victory would mark the first 3-0 series sweep by the Lions since 1904, a feat that has every player on edge, hungry for that slice of rugby lore.
Russell, who has been instrumental in the Lions' success, articulated the team's relentless ambition.
"Everyone here has been gunning for it for their whole career,"
he declared. The significance of a possible whitewash extends beyond personal achievements, symbolizing a rare unity among four nations. "It's so special to get this, bringing four nations together to be a family for five, six weeks. To get the series win is amazing but the job is still not done yet," Russell added, hinting at the unfinished business that awaits at Accor Stadium.The sentiment of relentless pursuit is echoed by tour captain Maro Itoje, who emphasized the team's resolve to not rest on their laurels despite the series win. "When we met for the first time, big Faz made the call that he wanted us to come out here and win, he wanted us to win everything," Itoje shared. The skipper's words after the second Test were clear:
"Don’t get me wrong, we’re absolutely delighted with the result tonight, but we want to go again next week."
Russell, who has been in stellar form this season, credited his current state of play to his enjoyment of the game. "I’m loving my rugby right now," he confessed, reflecting on a remarkable year that saw him lead Bath to EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership titles, and now, potentially, a Lions series win. "Some of the boys might say it’s the most confident I’ve been and it’s my best rugby, which might be true, it might not," he mused, underscoring the blend of humility and confidence that has defined his performances.
With the final test looming, the Lions are poised not just to win, but to make a statement. The pursuit of a perfect tour, a complete whitewash, hangs tantalizingly within reach, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to what has already been a memorable Lions tour.