Andy Farrell reveals words he screamed as British and Irish Lions beat Australia in dramatic clash

WATCH NOW: Andy Farrell and Maro Itoje preview second British and Irish Lions clash against Australia

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 26/07/2025

- 13:16

Updated: 26/07/2025

- 13:24

The tourists have won the Test series following their triumph in Melbourne on Saturday

Andy Farrell has revealed the words he shouted as the British and Irish Lions produced a sensational comeback to beat Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.

The visitors found themselves 23-5 down but rallied to win 29-26, with Hugo Keenan going over at the death.


It was a brilliant end to a brilliant match, with the Lions winning the series with one fixture left to play.

Farrell was jubilant as his side came from behind and, now, he's revealed what he was shouting just as Keenan scored the decisive try with just 23 seconds left on the clock.

Andy Farrell British and Irish Lions Australia

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Andy Farrell has revealed the words he shouted as the British and Irish Lions produced a sensational comeback to beat Australia in Melbourne on Saturday

When asked about the full-back's heroics, he said: "I was screaming pass it, pass it.

"After what he has been through, it was all worth it. To score at the death of a Lions Test.

"These players have dreamed of playing for the Lions. It was a fairytale.

"We want to win every game but we will take a breath after that one."

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Farrell also joked that the result was 'never in doubt' and admitted he was proud of his side's fighting spirit given they looked down and out in the first half.

"It was never in doubt, was it?" he quipped.

"It’s amazing — the occasion, the fans all travelling out here — they all deserve this, and that grandstand finish. This is what Lions rugby is all about. I’m absolutely delighted.

"It wasn’t great, especially in the first half. We started with back-to-back penalties and yellow cards, and it really cost us on the scoreboard.

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"But we found a way back into the game, and that gave us confidence heading into the second half. And, wow - what a finish!

"When we were able to build pressure, we rolled pretty nicely.

"Every time we got into the 22, we came away with something. We had solid belief at half-time and knew we could win if we controlled our discipline.

"It’s fairy-tale stuff. To leave with a win like that — it means everything.

"The lads have dreamed of being Lions all their lives. To win it at the end like that, it’s a fairy tale."

One key player for the Lions was captain Maro Itoje, who produced a Man of the Match display as his side secured the series win.

The Saracens star added: "It feels a little surreal.

"The first 20 minutes we weren't great, weren't physical enough. We managed to find a way in the second half of the first half.

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The British and Irish Lions produced a sensational comeback against Australia on Saturday to win the Test series at Melbourne's MCG, with Hugo Keenan scoring a late try at the death

"The second half, again it wasn't perfect, but we just managed to fight, got close and big Faz (Andy Farrell) was just telling us to play big all the time, to believe in ourselves.

"I give a load of credit to the bench - all the guys that came on made a massive difference.

"I think we started hitting. It sounds pretty basic, but our scrum got on top and our decision-makers - Finn (Russell), Faz (Owen Farrell), Jamo (Gibson-Park) at 9 - they started playing really well.

"We just managed to stay close enough and scored in the end."