British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje has admitted the squad can have “some honest conversations” on the back of their win over Australia.
The Lions beat Australia 27-19 in Brisbane on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in their three-Test series.
In the first test match between the two sides in Australia for just over a decade, the tourists dominated the first-half to take a 17-5 lead into the break following tries from Sione Tuipulotu and Tom Curry.
However, after Dan Sheehan extended the advantage early in the second half, Andy Farrell’s side took their foot off the gas and that allowed for Australia to set up a nervy finish.
The hosts were rewarded for a dominant spell when Carlo Tizzano barrelled over and ate McDermott claimed a late consolation try after Marcus Smith drilled over a penalty to create a 15-point for the Lions.
Ultimately, the tourists held on to claim victory and Itoje - celebrating his 100th international cap - said afterwards that there is room for improvement ahead of the Second Test.
Speaking to Sky Sports he said: "It was a tough old game, no game of rugby is perfect. That definitely wasn't perfect for us.
“It puts us in a good position because we can have some honest conversations off the back of that game and there’s lots for us to build on we definitely are not complacent or comfortable."
Expanded on what he meant by “honest conversations”, Itoje said: "We put pressure on ourselves particularly exiting our half and some of our decision making.
“But again, Rugby is not perfect, we will build, we will get better and move on.”
The Lions will go to Melbourne next Saturday with a chance to clinch the three-test series and retain the trophy they won here in 2013.
