GREEN GIANT Tadhg Furlong is on red alert for a Blacklash at fortress Eden Park.
The 19st Irish prop has been dubbed a ‘rolling Sherman tank’ by the Kiwis for his performances in New Zealand.
And Furlong, 24, has one game left to bulldoze the All Blacks on Saturday and return home a Lions hero with a first Test series win here since 1971.
He said: “I think you always fear the All Blacks in the way that if you don’t man-up and meet them head-on, it’s a tough day at the office.
“They’ll cut you to ribbons in the wider channels if you give them space.
“They can score a try from anywhere they’re that dangerous. They’ve threats all over the park.
“If none of that works they’re just so damn consistent; good at holding on to the ball.
“You have to keep attacking them — but that is easier said than done. They’re going to be absolutely bulling for it as we were. You must be ready — physically and emotionally to go toe to toe.
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“It’s the Third-Test decider, so it’s going to have to be right up there or even push it on a bit further to match them up-front.”
Back-to-back defeats would be a national disaster for the All Blacks. The last time they lost two in a row at home was 1998.
An no visiting side has beaten New Zealand at Eden Park since the French way back in 1994.
More than 20,000 Red Army punters will flood the stadium in the hope that they can play their part.
Leinster’s Furlong said: “You see the numbers out at the game, you hear them in the stand and that support carries you when the going gets tough.”
Furlong helped beat the All Blacks for the first time in Irish history last autumn.
The epic 40-29 victory in Chicago was followed by a 21-9 defeat in Dublin a week later.
But that game at the Aviva also goes down as one of the most bruising ever as Steve Hansen’s side were hell-bent on revenge.
Furlong admitted: “I was sore for days after the Dublin match.
“It was one of the most brutal Test matches I’ve played in. So I think everyone will expect that again on Saturday.”
Looking for a hat-trick of wins over the All Blacks he added: “You feel privileged and to do it twice, even more so.”
Bring on the Blacklash — the Red Army are waiting.
Mountain a challenge
THE LIONS have been making the most of being in the ‘adrenalin capital of the world’ by going on helicopter rides and speedboat trips.
They leave Queenstown today to prepare for the final All Blacks clash but for the past two days the team has been exploring the wild scenery of the South Island.
With the dwarf-tossing bar in the town closed down, there has been no repeat of England’s 2011 World Cup antics!
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