Rugby-Proud Lions did it for the jersey - O'Connell

By Ken Borland

JOHANNESBURG, July 4 (Reuters) - British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell said a week spent telling his players to "do it for the jersey" had paid off after they secured a 28-9 victory over the Springboks in the final test on Saturday.

"It's a very satisfying win because it was a really tough week, especially with key players ruled out, and we had to dig deep," O'Connell told a news conference.

"We wallowed for a bit after losing the series in Pretoria, but then we spoke about producing a really big performance for the jersey and our ourselves.

"We spoke about it being some players' first caps and others possibly getting their last cap, but the jersey does things for people, it's the best jersey we can ever pull on," O'Connell said.

Coach Ian McGeechan said his players had come to Ellis Park, where the Springboks had not lost in nine tests dating back to 2001, with a tremendous sense of purpose.

"The players came with a real intent and focus and to play that way with so many changes shows how well the players integrated," McGeechan said.

"We were very accurate today and tactically we played the way we wanted to."

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