Lions mobbed by fans at Perth airport despite shock loss
The British and Irish Lions are finally on Australian soil and have brushed off the significance of their historic loss to Argentina.
Saturday's (AEST) upset 28-24 loss to the Pumas in Dublin was their first in 115 years of competition, with the Lions winning the first six contests before a draw in 2005.
Argentina were missing a dozen front-liners, had only two proper training runs and were paying $11 with the bookmakers.
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Andy Farrell arrives at Perth Airport.
"Of course, we'll analyse what went on against Argentina and why," Lions coach Andy Farrell said at Perth Airport after being mobbed by fans following a 20 hour trip via Doha.
"But that's all part of the journey – to understand where we need to go next. We're here to build for what's going to be a fantastic Test series. We want to play some good rugby along the way.
"We'll find out more about each other as we keep on going.
The British and Irish Lions squad pose on arrival in Australia.
"It's great to be here, this is what it's all about. We're here for a good time. Hopefully we can start this part of the tour off really well on Saturday."
The Australian tour kicks off against the Western Force at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
Farrell confirmed the team against the Force will mostly be made up of players from Leinster, Bath and Leicester, who joined up with the Lions after last weekend's United Rugby Championship and Premiership finals.
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https://omny.fm/shows/rugby-world-cup-inside-line/captaincy-contenders-fly-half-flyers-2026-sabbaticals/embed?in_playlist=podcast&style=CoverThe tourists have arrived without Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn, who will instead play for Toulouse in the France Top 14 final against Bordeaux this weekend.
There was also mixed news on the injury front.
Scotland centre Huw Jones has recovered from an Achilles issue and is available against the Force but Ireland stars Jamison Gibson-Park (glute) and Hugo Keenan (calf) are in doubt.
Andy Farrell signs autographs for supporters on arrival into Australia.
"We'll see how they pull up in midweek," Farrell said.
"Huw Jones is good. He has been training. He trained fully with us last week, so he is up and running."
Wallabies winger Max Jorgensen also declared he would be fit and ready for the Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6.
https://x.com/StanSportRugby/status/1936967994720346236Jorgensen has been sidelined since March after a nasty ankle syndesmosis injury playing for the Waratahs in Wellington.
"It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said.
"I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games. I pretty much started full training this week and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good."
