CONOR MURRAY SAYS the Lions players knew picking up a victory over the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua earlier was ‘pretty crucial’ a week out from the first Test against New Zealand.
Warren Gatland’s side produced a muscular performance as they dismantled the hosts en route to their third win of the tour, and in the process sent out something of a statement of intent.
The victory was underpinned by a dominant performance by the pack and the significance of the result was not lost on Murray.
“We knew coming into the game that it was pretty crucial and that a win was really important to keep momentum,” the Munster scrum-half said.
“It was a big game, the Maoris are a really good side and had a few All Blacks in there, so we knew it was going to be a big test of where we’re at.
“We rallied together after the loss the other day, put our heads down and managed to get a good performance. It’s another thing to build on so we’re in a good place.”
Murray continued his own good form as he played a central role in the 32-10 victory and is almost certain to start at Eden Park next weekend.
The Ireland international is arguably the best box kicker in the world and there was a noticeable improvement in the conviction his team-mates contested for the ball in the air.
“It’s an improvement on the Crusaders game,” he continued. “I think Anthony Watson got up for one, forced a penalty and it gave us three points – that’s how important it can be. It’s an area of our game that we’ll continue to try and improve.
“There were a few balls we didn’t get up for, so we’ll continue to work on that. The weather conditions dictated that a little bit, so we’ve got to be able to adjust to that and I think we did it quite well.”
With the serious business of the tour approaching, Murray added that the squad have noticed a growing number of Lions fans arriving in New Zealand to get behind the team.
“We’ve noticed it big time,” he said of the support inside the Rotorua International Stadium.
“We saw Rotorua fill up over the last couple of days and you can hear them shouting outside the hotel at night time, chanting ‘Lions, Lions.’ It’s good momentum and the buzz is good, so we’re in a good place.
“We have plenty to work on and it’s getting close to business time, which is exciting.”
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