Andrew Goodman: 'A big part of his philosophy as a coach is just that, to make sure everyone is all in'

GREAT MOTIVATOR: A relentless man motivator who pushes his coaches as much as his players and gets huge buy-in from all who work under him. Even when it’s a recreation of hit TV show Squid Game before training, it is no surprise to Andrew Goodman that Andy Farrell has brought the British & Irish Lions to the brink of a series clean sweep over Australia.   Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

A relentless man motivator who pushes his coaches as much as his players and gets huge buy-in from all who work under him. Even when it’s a recreation of hit TV show Squid Game before training, it is no surprise to Andrew Goodman that Andy Farrell has brought the British & Irish Lions to the brink of a series clean sweep over Australia.

The Lions are just a win away in Saturday’s third and final Test from making the 2025 series against the Wallabies a 3-0 whitewash, which would complete a 100% return from nine tour matches on Australian soil under head coach Farrell’s command.

Ireland attack coach Goodman is one of four of Farrell’s assistants on tour alongside Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Johnny Sexton and the New Zealander can count Scott Robertson, the current All Blacks boss, at the Crusaders and Leinster’s Leo Cullen as “pretty amazing coaches” whose strengths he sees in the Lions boss.

Yet one suspects Farrell has left the deepest impression on the Kiwi and that this journey Down Under has only enhanced his appreciation of his boss. That was clear on Tuesday as he outlined what the head coach had brought to the tour.

“Just his motivation and his ability to bring the group together and his ability to make sure everyone has been all in together the whole time,” Goodman said. “Whether they are involved in Test matches are midweek games, it doesn’t feel like there has been any separation in the group whatsoever.

“He’s had his finger on the pulse the whole time. A big part of his philosophy as a coach is just that, to make sure everyone is all in, all the time in terms of what we do on the field and off the field, you always add to the group.

“You’re always preparing the group as best you can whether you’re starting, on the bench, or not involved. He’s constantly on that and he’s constantly on us as coaches to make sure we’re driving that. He’s a great man-motivator, he’s a great man around connecting the wider staff and management group as well. I’m learning stuff of him every day, he’s an amazing coach and it’s a privilege to work underneath him.” 

To give an example of Farrell’s methods, Goodman did not have long to recall the impact he has on Lions sessions, citing Tuesday’s return to the training field at North Sydney’s Shore School and a surprise recreation of the satirical Korean drama set on a dystopian reality television show, where players risk their lives playing children’s games.

“Just his relentlessness. It’s not just one thing, it’s because it’s every day. He’s always on having fun as a group. Today we got down to training and he’d sent Fogs down early to set up the Squid Game mini-team challenge, the whole field was covered in equipment.

“The staff were dressed up in all that kit, the speakers were all set up, a bit of fun, stuff like that to get a bit of energy back in the group. The mini-team stuff, the little challenges he’ll have at the start of meetings, there’s always a bit of craic, a bit of a laugh involved.

“It keeps the boys engaged and fresh and it’s not just going into a meeting where it’s rugby all the time. There are little bits like that that make it enjoyable as well.

“We had a Squid Game challenge, green light, red light, the whole field was covered in different things they could hide behind, and they had people in the top tier keeping an eye on people. It was a good craic.” 

Fortunately for the Lions, death was not a consequence of a wrong move, though Goodman did reveal the first victim.

“Tom Clarkson - one of the props - hard to hide.

“Every week we’ve done things like that. All part of touring, isn’t it? Even with Ireland it’s a part of his week to make sure there’s fun involved.”