Lions 2013: Trio could return for Australia series decider 
By Bryn Palmer BBC Sport in Noosa, Queensland The British and Irish Lions remain optimistic Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero will be available for Saturday's series decider against Australia in Sydney.
Roberts missed the first two Tests with a hamstring injury, while Phillips (knee) and Corbisiero (calf) sat out Saturday's defeat in Melbourne.
The trio need to prove their fitness when training resumes on Wednesday.
"They are all making good progress," said tour manager Andy Irvine.
"The medics are reasonably hopeful."
Trio on tour - Jamie Roberts: Games 8 Points 10
- Mike Phillips: Games 10 Points 20
- Alex Corbisiero: Games 4 Points 0
All three could potentially come into the starting XV to be named on Wednesday for the final Test, with Warren Gatland and his coaches meeting on Tuesday to discuss selection.
The Lions already need to replace injured captain Sam Warburton, ruled out with a hamstring tear, with either Ireland's Sean O'Brien or Welshman Justin Tipuric ready to take over at open-side.
Brian O'Driscoll is expected to lead the side in what would be his final Lions Test, but Irvine conceded the loss of their captain is a "serious blow".
"Sam started the tour with a knee injury but got better as the tour progressed," Irvine said.
"In the first half of the second Test, I thought he was the outstanding player on the park. He's extremely disappointed that he's not available for what is going to be one of the biggest games the Lions have played for 30 or 40 years.
"We can't hide from the fact it is a big blow not having our captain when he is in such good form. But on the positive side we're fortunate that it's one of the positions where we have tremendous reserve strength.
"We feel for Sam - he's been a super captain and role model to the lads. Hopefully we can go out and win the third Test for him."
While the Lions have lost their leader for the third Test, Australia have been boosted by the availability of their captain James Horwill, after he was cleared by an independent appeal office of stamping on Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones in the first Test.
"We were surprised as anyone when the IRB (International Rugby Board) said they were going to investigate it," Irvine said. " We were of the view it was done and dusted and it's irrelevant now as far as we're concerned.
"My view was it didn't look very clever and the ball wasn't close to it, but I've seen a hell of a lot worse in my time.
Lions down under 2013 - Sat 1 June: Won 59-8 v Barbarians, Hong Kong
- Wed 5 June: Won 69-17 v Western Force, Perth
- Sat 8 June: Won 22-12 v Queensland Reds, Brisbane
- Tue 11 June: Won 64-0 v Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country, Newcastle
- Sat 15 June: Won 47-17 v New South Wales Waratahs, Sydney
- Tue 18 June: Lost 14-12 v ACT Brumbies, Canberra
- Sat 22 June: Won 23-21 v Australia, First Test, Brisbane
- Tue 25 June: Won 35-0 v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne
- Sat 29 June: Lost 16-15 v Australia, Second Test, Melbourne
- Sat 6 July: Australia, Third Test, Sydney
"The judicial officer looked at all the angles and replays. He is a very decent guy and very experienced. If that was his decision, we have to accept it. It's history now, water under the bridge."
The Lions have been relaxing on the Sunshine Coast since their second Test in Melbourne, a decision Irvine defended after criticism from former England and Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward, who labelled it "a mistake".
"I've been on five Lions tours now and, believe me, after the second Test the boys are physically and mentally exhausted. They need a break," Irvine added.
"This place has been absolutely fabulous. We've not had the best of luck with the weather but the lads have had a great time.
"They need to recharge the batteries and where better to do that than here. If we had our time again we'd come back here.
"It's back to the hard work tomorrow because on Saturday we have one of the most vital matches the Lions have played in a long, long time."
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The British and Irish Lions remain optimistic Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero will be available for Saturday's series decider against Australia in Sydney.
Roberts missed the first two Tests with a hamstring injury, while Phillips (knee) and Corbisiero (calf) sat out Saturday's defeat in Melbourne.
The trio need to prove their fitness when training resumes on Wednesday.
"They are all making good progress," said tour manager Andy Irvine.
"The medics are reasonably hopeful."
Trio on tour - Jamie Roberts: Games 8 Points 10
- Mike Phillips: Games 10 Points 20
- Alex Corbisiero: Games 4 Points 0
All three could potentially come into the starting XV to be named on Wednesday for the final Test, with Warren Gatland and his coaches meeting on Tuesday to discuss selection.
The Lions already need to replace injured captain Sam Warburton, ruled out with a hamstring tear, with either Ireland's Sean O'Brien or Welshman Justin Tipuric ready to take over at open-side.
Brian O'Driscoll is expected to lead the side in what would be his final Lions Test, but Irvine conceded the loss of their captain is a "serious blow".
"Sam started the tour with a knee injury but got better as the tour progressed," Irvine said.
"In the first half of the second Test, I thought he was the outstanding player on the park. He's extremely disappointed that he's not available for what is going to be one of the biggest games the Lions have played for 30 or 40 years.
"We can't hide from the fact it is a big blow not having our captain when he is in such good form. But on the positive side we're fortunate that it's one of the positions where we have tremendous reserve strength.
"We feel for Sam - he's been a super captain and role model to the lads. Hopefully we can go out and win the third Test for him."
While the Lions have lost their leader for the third Test, Australia have been boosted by the availability of their captain James Horwill, after he was cleared by an independent appeal office of stamping on Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones in the first Test.
"We were surprised as anyone when the IRB (International Rugby Board) said they were going to investigate it," Irvine said. " We were of the view it was done and dusted and it's irrelevant now as far as we're concerned.
"My view was it didn't look very clever and the ball wasn't close to it, but I've seen a hell of a lot worse in my time.
Lions down under 2013 - Sat 1 June: Won 59-8 v Barbarians, Hong Kong
- Wed 5 June: Won 69-17 v Western Force, Perth
- Sat 8 June: Won 22-12 v Queensland Reds, Brisbane
- Tue 11 June: Won 64-0 v Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country, Newcastle
- Sat 15 June: Won 47-17 v New South Wales Waratahs, Sydney
- Tue 18 June: Lost 14-12 v ACT Brumbies, Canberra
- Sat 22 June: Won 23-21 v Australia, First Test, Brisbane
- Tue 25 June: Won 35-0 v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne
- Sat 29 June: Lost 16-15 v Australia, Second Test, Melbourne
- Sat 6 July: Australia, Third Test, Sydney
"The judicial officer looked at all the angles and replays. He is a very decent guy and very experienced. If that was his decision, we have to accept it. It's history now, water under the bridge."
The Lions have been relaxing on the Sunshine Coast since their second Test in Melbourne, a decision Irvine defended after criticism from former England and Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward, who labelled it "a mistake".
"I've been on five Lions tours now and, believe me, after the second Test the boys are physically and mentally exhausted. They need a break," Irvine added.
"This place has been absolutely fabulous. We've not had the best of luck with the weather but the lads have had a great time.
"They need to recharge the batteries and where better to do that than here. If we had our time again we'd come back here.
"It's back to the hard work tomorrow because on Saturday we have one of the most vital matches the Lions have played in a long, long time."
Comments Sign in with your BBC iD, or Register to comment and rate comments All posts are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules.
All three could potentially come into the starting XV to be named on Wednesday for the final Test, with Warren Gatland and his coaches meeting on Tuesday to discuss selection.
The Lions already need to replace injured captain Sam Warburton, ruled out with a hamstring tear, with either Ireland's Sean O'Brien or Welshman Justin Tipuric ready to take over at open-side.
Brian O'Driscoll is expected to lead the side in what would be his final Lions Test, but Irvine conceded the loss of their captain is a "serious blow".
"Sam started the tour with a knee injury but got better as the tour progressed," Irvine said.
"In the first half of the second Test, I thought he was the outstanding player on the park. He's extremely disappointed that he's not available for what is going to be one of the biggest games the Lions have played for 30 or 40 years.
"We can't hide from the fact it is a big blow not having our captain when he is in such good form. But on the positive side we're fortunate that it's one of the positions where we have tremendous reserve strength.
"We feel for Sam - he's been a super captain and role model to the lads. Hopefully we can go out and win the third Test for him."
While the Lions have lost their leader for the third Test, Australia have been boosted by the availability of their captain James Horwill, after he was cleared by an independent appeal office of stamping on Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones in the first Test.
"We were surprised as anyone when the IRB (International Rugby Board) said they were going to investigate it," Irvine said. " We were of the view it was done and dusted and it's irrelevant now as far as we're concerned.
"My view was it didn't look very clever and the ball wasn't close to it, but I've seen a hell of a lot worse in my time.
Lions down under 2013 - Sat 1 June: Won 59-8 v Barbarians, Hong Kong
- Wed 5 June: Won 69-17 v Western Force, Perth
- Sat 8 June: Won 22-12 v Queensland Reds, Brisbane
- Tue 11 June: Won 64-0 v Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country, Newcastle
- Sat 15 June: Won 47-17 v New South Wales Waratahs, Sydney
- Tue 18 June: Lost 14-12 v ACT Brumbies, Canberra
- Sat 22 June: Won 23-21 v Australia, First Test, Brisbane
- Tue 25 June: Won 35-0 v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne
- Sat 29 June: Lost 16-15 v Australia, Second Test, Melbourne
- Sat 6 July: Australia, Third Test, Sydney
"The judicial officer looked at all the angles and replays. He is a very decent guy and very experienced. If that was his decision, we have to accept it. It's history now, water under the bridge."
The Lions have been relaxing on the Sunshine Coast since their second Test in Melbourne, a decision Irvine defended after criticism from former England and Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward, who labelled it "a mistake".
"I've been on five Lions tours now and, believe me, after the second Test the boys are physically and mentally exhausted. They need a break," Irvine added.
"This place has been absolutely fabulous. We've not had the best of luck with the weather but the lads have had a great time.
"They need to recharge the batteries and where better to do that than here. If we had our time again we'd come back here.
"It's back to the hard work tomorrow because on Saturday we have one of the most vital matches the Lions have played in a long, long time."
Comments Sign in with your BBC iD, or Register to comment and rate comments All posts are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules.
"The judicial officer looked at all the angles and replays. He is a very decent guy and very experienced. If that was his decision, we have to accept it. It's history now, water under the bridge."
The Lions have been relaxing on the Sunshine Coast since their second Test in Melbourne, a decision Irvine defended after criticism from former England and Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward, who labelled it "a mistake".
"I've been on five Lions tours now and, believe me, after the second Test the boys are physically and mentally exhausted. They need a break," Irvine added.
"This place has been absolutely fabulous. We've not had the best of luck with the weather but the lads have had a great time.
"They need to recharge the batteries and where better to do that than here. If we had our time again we'd come back here.
"It's back to the hard work tomorrow because on Saturday we have one of the most vital matches the Lions have played in a long, long time."
Comments Sign in with your BBC iD, or Register to comment and rate comments All posts are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules.
Sign in with your BBC iD, or Register to comment and rate comments All posts are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules.