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We have to make amends – Tigers star Parling

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Leicester Tigers star Geoff Parling has no doubt the British & Irish Lions will pick themselves up for next Saturday's Test series decider against Australia.

The Lions headed to Queensland's Sunshine Coast yesterday, setting up camp in the surfers' resort of Noosa.

But the weather – showers and leaden skies – probably matched their mood after a late converted Wallabies try, followed by Leigh Halfpenny missing a penalty with the game's final kick, gave Australia a series-levelling 16-15 success.

"It's going to take the whole squad to pull together," said Tigers and England lock Parling.

"These things are hard to take and we feel devastated, but we feel like we have another opportunity next Saturday. It's all part of this tour and being professional.

"You have to get yourself back up for it again and go and play, and certainly if you can't get up for the deciding game of the tour, then you have a bit of a problem. I am sure we will get there."

The Lions would have secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead had they prevailed in Melbourne in pursuit of a first Test series victory against any opponent since 1997.

The Lions were just five minutes from glory until centre Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed for a try that his midfield partner Christian Leali'ifano converted.

"For a lot of us in there it was the biggest game of our career to date, and to come so close to winning the series it's more than hard to take," Parling said.

"Andy Irvine (Lions manager) spoke afterwards in the changing rooms that we have another crack at it, that we are almost in the same position we were on Saturday morning, that we can still win the series. But it's hard to take.

"We've got to get ourselves up for it. The series is still there for the taking. We have to make amends.

"We had chances to manage the game a bit better. Maybe we got a bit of luck last week, and they got a bit of luck this time."

The Lions could be without captain Sam Warburton next weekend as he wrestles with a hamstring problem that forced him off after 67 minutes in Melbourne.

Warburton did not fly to Noosa with his colleagues while his injury is assessed. He will, though, join them later today.

"He is a quality player, isn't he? He is an outstanding player," Parling said.

"If he isn't available, then there are other very good guys in the squad who have been champing at the bit to try to get their chance."

We have to make amends – Tigers star Parling


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