Lions should expect a ferocious All Blacks backlash, says Irish prop

The British and Irish Lions have been warned to expect a physical 'Blacklash' against the All Blacks in the third Test, with Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong insisting the tourists are ready to go 'toe-to-toe' with their opponents as they bid to clinch the series on Saturday.

Furlong has firsthand experience of facing the All Blacks in the wake of a defeat, when Steve Hansen's side were accused of using brutal tactics to record a 21-9 victory in Dublin after suffering their first ever loss to Ireland in Chicago two weeks earlier last November.

Malakai Fekitoa, the All Blacks centre, was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Simon Zebo while Sam Cane was fortunate to avoid any sanction for making a head high tackle on Robbie Henshaw which forced the Ireland centre out of the action with concussion.

Furlong is expecting a similarly ferocious response from the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday at a venue where they have not lost since 1994.

"I think you always fear the All Blacks in the way that if you don't get your stuff sorted, if you don't man up and meet them head on it's a tough day at the office," said Furlong, who has won two out of four games against the All Blacks, following last Saturday's victory in Wellington.

"If that doesn't happen they'll cut you to ribbons in the wider channels if you give them that sort of space.

"They can score a try from anywhere: they're that dangerous, they've threats all over the park.

"If none of that works they're just so damn consistent, good at holding on to the ball. They're a tough team to beat. You have to keep attacking them, but it's easier said than done.

"They're probably in a similar position as we were the week just gone, where your pride is a little bit dented and you want to come out... it's a Test series, they're going to be absolutely bulling for it as we were.

"You just have to be ready with your detail right, be physically and emotionally at that pitch that you can compete and then try and stand, go toe to toe."

Four of the Lions side expected to start on Saturday - Furlong, Sean O'Brien, Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton - were involved in the defeat by New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium, while Jack McGrath and CJ Stander, who are likely to be on the replacements, also played.

It is an experience that will aid Warren Gatland's side's preparations this week.

"I don't think they'll massively change what they're doing," Furlong added. "They'll try to physically come back at us which is the same in pretty much every Test match.

"Especially that match in Dublin, I remember coming off the pitch and being absolutely shattered. I was sore for days after it.

"It was one of the most brutal Test matches I've played in in my short career. So I think everyone will expect that and try and tee themselves up for it."

Furlong added: "Everyone was really disappointed after the first Test. They bossed us a little bit around that sort of ruck area and two or three defenders out so they probably got over the gain line really easy.

"Conditions probably not forced them but controlled them into playing in that way again. It was very hard to hold onto the ball or try to offload as well. We knew we would have to be on top of our game there.

"They are probably trying to rectify a few wrongs and I think everyone is pretty pleased with the physicality levels. Again, you are coming back to Auckland in the third Test decider, it's going to have to be right up there again or even push it on a bit further to match them up again next week."

When the Lions return to their preparations on Wednesday, discipline will be one of the key areas of their focus, after conceding 13 penalties in the 24-21 victory on Saturday.