Australia's newspapers were full of praise for their rugby team on Monday morning but had nothing but scorn for Graham Henry's Lions squad, which were described as "brooding losers". The current squad became the first Lions team to ever lose a series in Australia and the country's newspapers were quick to jump on the Lions' bitter disappointment.
According to The Australian, Wallaby lock Justin Harrison was allegedly met with a barrage of expletives from the Lions squad when he tried to enter their dressing room after the match to swap jerseys. Despite Harrison himself saying he does not want to make anything of the incident, which he found very disappointing, because he felt he "probably went in (the rooms) a little bit too early", The Australian had plenty to say on the matter.
"Traditions of the game were recklessly stomped as the brooding losers, showing all the petulance of schoolboy prats, refused to swap jerseys with the debutant who tore out their hearts with a lineout steal in the last 90 seconds of an enthralling third and final test," it editorialised.
The Daily Telegraph in Sydney also featured the Harrinson incident and quoted former Wallaby Chris Handy, who said: "The Lions will be remembered as one of the best rugby teams to come here but their petulant pouting labels them as the ultimate bad losers."
However, Australian Rugby Union managing director John O'Neill praised the Lions management and captain Martin Johnson for their grace in defeat. "They were full of humility, they were full of good sportsmanship," O'Neill revealed following post-match speeches from Johnson , tour manager Donal Lenihan and coach Graham Henry.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
