Phillips wants Lions redemption
Mike Phillips determined to end Lions tour of South Africa on a high
Also In The News
|
By James Christie. |  |
Friday, 03, Jul 2009 05:49
Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips says he is determined to bring an end to this year's British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa with a Test victory.
The tourists go into tomorrow's third and final match against the Springboks staring at an unassailable 2-0 deficit in the series after consecutive defeats in Durban and Pretoria so far.
But Phillips is keen to show the fans - especially those that have travelled from the British Isles - that there is still life in the Lions yet.
"There is no reason why we can't win. We are all hurting from last week and it was devastating the way we lost," said Phillips, referring to the last-minute penalty that handed the Boks a 28-25 victory in the second Test.
"But we've got to get the pride back into the jersey.
"We have done tremendously well on this tour, and we've given it our lot, but we have got to make sure we are going home on that plane having won the last Test."
Phillips' duel with opposite number Fourie du Preez has been one of the talking points of the series.
And the Welshman said he is keen to put one over on the South African playmaker.
"It would be nice to end on a winning note and have one up on Fourie," he added.
"He's a quality player and it has been great to match myself up against the best scrum-half in the world - that's what it is all about."