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George North feels horrendous for taunting Will Genia before Lions wonder try

The Welsh winger has copped some grief after pointing his finger towards Will Genia’s face before sliding over to score.

LIONS LEFT WINGER George North delivered, last Saturday, what every Australia rugby supporter feared he would deliver – a beastly threat and try borne out of sheer speed and power.

The 21-year-old was so pumped as he was set himself to crash over the tryline that he let Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia know, in no uncertain terms, that he was not going to be stopped. North wagged a finger in Genia’s direction before sliding over for the Lions first try.

Apologists for the Welshman suggested that he was steeling himself for a Genia fend-off before touching down but a Getty Images photographer captured the taunting moment perfectly. Speaking at the Lions pre-match press briefing, North apologised for the gesture.

North coasts in after evading the Genia ankle-tap. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

North said, “I can’t really explain what I did; it’s very difficult. I got caught up in the whole emotion of the Test match; scoring my first try. Looking back, I do feel horrendous for doing it now. I’ll have to live with it now.”

After breaching the protocols of ‘a gentleman’s game’, North revealed that Lions backs coach Andy Farrell had a few scolding words to say after the euphoria of victory had died down.”

YouTube credit: RugbyMedia

Genia, for his part, commented, “I was eating the grass so I didn’t really see it. It was a good try so he was just happy, he was celebrating. I don’t take too much of that to heart or anything like that. If I score and we win, I’ll probably point at him.”

*TheScore.ie will be liveblogging all the Lions v Australia Second Test action from 10am on Saturday.

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