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AUCKLAND. – Tadhg Furlong has warned the British and Irish Lions to prepare for a “brutal” rugby Test match in Saturday’s series decider with New Zealand.

Ireland prop Furlong fully expects a furious backlash from a New Zealand side bound to be stung by the Lions’ 24-21 victory in last Saturday’s second Test.

New Zealand slugged past Ireland 21-9 in Dublin in November last year, avenging their 40-29 Chicago defeat from two weeks earlier.

Furlong featured in both matches and now expects a repeat of that fervour from the wounded All Blacks at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

“When your pride is a little dented, you come out and you’ll be absolutely bulling for it,” said Furlong, with the Lions series in the balance at one win apiece. You’ve got to get your detail right, be physically and emotionally at that pitch where you can compete and then try to go toe-to-toe.

“That match in Dublin, I remember coming off the pitch and being absolutely shattered. I was sore for days afterwards. It was one of the most brutal Test matches I’ve played in my short career. So we all expect to have the same thing again. And we’ve got to tee ourselves up for it.” — Sky Sports.