Tour captain Sam Warburton believes quickly forging an identity proved pivotal in the British & Irish Lions’ first series win for 16 years this summer.
Flanker Warburton injured his hamstring in the second Test defeat but Sean O’Brien stepped into the No.7 jersey as the Lions racked up a 41-16 win over Australia in Sydney in the deciding Test.
Despite his absence, Warburton believes that the Lions’ physical approach was crucial on the field, as well as the harmony off it.
“You are always conscious meeting up with players from other nations but I was struck by how natural it felt with the Lions,” Warburton told Wales Online.
“We all really enjoyed each other’s company and we had an identity from early on.
“Everyone bought into it from an early stage and it was a great tour to be involved with.”
“I remember Warren telling us the way you beat Australia is by being physical. He’d told us that with Wales before.
“That is the way we won, the proof was in the pudding.
“We won by a massive margin and Warren deserves a lot of credit for a bold selection.”
