Finn Russell is standing deep inside Melbourne Cricket Ground wearing Tom Lynagh’s Australia shirt and a traditional Polynesian garland adorned with caramel Wallabies around his neck. After helping the British & Irish Lions to secure a first series win in 12 years, he is asked if it is the best night of his life. He replies: “Can I tell you tomorrow?”
Suffice it to say that the dramatic victory on Saturday was the final flourish to the finest season of Russell’s career. Add a victorious Lions series to the treble achieved with Bath for someone whose talents had not previously been rewarded with as much silverware as would be expected and it matters little to the Scotland No 10 that the tourists did things the hard way in Melbourne.
Indeed, ever the showman, Russell believes the last-gasp nature of the Lions’ victory enhances it. An hour or so after full time the Lions returned to the field, taking garden chairs with them to sit and “have a sing-song”, according to Tommy Freeman. So dramatic was Hugo Keenan’s last-minute try that the Lions felt compelled to recreate it.
“The fact that it went down to the last play and we were pretty much behind the whole way, all the game until then, it makes it more satisfying and that’s what these tours are about,” Russell said.
“Everyone here has been gunning for it for their whole career. To get to the Lions is one thing, and then to get a series win is another. This is my third tour, not having won one before, so it’s so special to get this.”
Russell was out of form from the tee on Saturday night but some booming touch‑finders were critical to getting the Lions back on the front foot. In the crucial final passage of play his sangfroid ensured the tourist side repeatedly kept the ball alive, looking for the opportunity to present itself rather than forcing it.
“Surely you know me enough now that, if I miss a conversion, it’s not going to be the end of the world for me! Obviously I want to get them all, but something like that’s not going to change how I’m going to play or what I’m going to go for. I hit a few nice kicks, which is good. It’s my job, if I can get that as close as possible to the line, then we can launch different attacks off that.
“I’m just loving it. It’s hard to put into words how my rugby is. Some of the boys might say it’s the most confident I’ve been, and it’s the best rugby and whatnot, which might be true, it might not be. I definitely didn’t have my kicking boots today, so that was a bit annoying.”
Such is Russell’s form that he has now won the past 15 matches in which he has played and though Andy Farrell, the Lions’ head coach, may look to make changes for the third Test in Sydney, the 32‑year‑old fly-half is eager to pursue a 16th triumph. Russell has had to wait for success in a Lions Test jersey. In 2017 he was part of the “Geography Six” but nowhere near the Test side before coming off the bench with impressive effect in the decider in South Africa four years ago. In Australia, however, the No 10 jersey has been indisputably his.
“It’s a mad journey, but you’ve got to appreciate every part of it. You can’t look back and think, had I not been injured in South Africa, had I been called out before in New Zealand, you can’t look like that. You’ve got to look at the positives.
“I’m calm, if that makes sense. Even though you’re winning, every game is the same. It’s 15 on 15, and obviously there’s different things on the line every game. Whether that’s winning to get points with Bath to get to that top two or top four, whether it’s winning here to build the prep up for the Test.
“I think everyone wants to play in the final game. We’re going back up to Sydney, but it’s not really on our minds just now. I think we need to enjoy this and celebrate. When we come back Monday, we’ll be ready to go again. I think if we can make it a 3-0 series, that’s amazing. Everyone’s going to be gunning for that. There might be changes next week to the team, I don’t know what Faz is going to do. But I think it’ll be brilliant next week. A brilliant occasion for everyone playing.”
And what of Russell’s garland? It turns out that Sione Tuipulotu’s Tongan family have presented squad members with lei candy – traditional neckwear with edible treats attached. “Sione’s family brought it from Tonga,” he said.
“There are a few boys inside that have got the chocolate around their necks. I don’t fully understand it, to be honest. I’m obviously not from the islands, so I don’t fully understand it, but I’m enjoying it.”
