Macqueen: Lions rebels helped us win

Former Australia coach Rod Macqueen has joined in the criticism of Matt Dawson and Austin Healey, suggesting their inflammatory newspaper columns damaged the Lions' chances in the recent Test series.

Macqueen, who stepped down after plotting the defeat of Graham Henry's team, claimed Dawson's remarks about team preparation were wide of the mark and that Healey's attack on Wallaby lock Justin Harrison undermined the tourists' efforts ahead of the decisive third Test.

Macqueen said: 'I think they had an ideal preparation. Coming into that first Test, they had been together for eight weeks and they were the best prepared team we had seen for some time. I think probably Dawson had a bit to do with their demise. When you start thinking as an individual you are going to compromise the team.' In reference to Healey's controversial outburst, Macqueen told BBC Radio Five Live: 'We don't pin things on the wall but it immediately put the pressure back on the Lions. 'They would have all been disappointed by what he said and from our point of view that was just another reason why we had to be successful.' Australia lock David Giffin has been banned for three weeks following an incident during his team's 20-15 Tri-Nations defeat against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday. Giffin, back in the side at the expense of Lions' nemesis Justin Harrison, had an altercation with Springbok Robbie Fleck just before half-time, striking his head with his forearm.

Referee David McHugh missed the clash but after studying a video of the match, a disciplinary panel decided that a suspension was required.

South Africa's Braam van Straaten landed five out of six attempts at goal, while Springbok captain Bobby Skinstad went over on the stroke of half-time. ITV has won exclusive rights to the next two Rugby World Cups after agreeing a six-year deal with the International Rugby Board.