MIKE PHILLIPS is a 2013 Lions legend. And the SunSport columnist believes this crop of stars should play with no fear in Wellington as they look to save the series against the All Blacks.
But there are FIVE key areas the Lions must police if they are to take the game to a decider in Auckland.
LOOKING AFTER No.9
CONOR MURRAY can expect a lot more traffic on Saturday as the All Blacks look to put him under pressure again.
Jerome Kaino was lucky he didn’t injure my 2013 teammate with his nasty late hit.
The refs will be keeping a close eye on the way the Kiwis try to take out the No.9 after Warren Gatland raised the issue.
As a scrum-half, the big lads always like to come steaming down your channel and try to rattle you. Especially when, like Murray, you’re such a lethal box-kicker.
They wouldn’t pick on the big lads, would they!
If I was Conor’s shoes, I’d shape to kick and then run it – you have to be smart and mix it up and put Keiran Read and Co on the back foot.
The Lions kicked a bit too much at Eden Park and should have a few more skirmishes around the fringes in Wellington.
Murray is kicking really well. But the Lions have to change things up if they can’t protect him.
The refs have to protect players and whilst there are cheap shots all over the pitch, you can’t take someone’s standing leg out after they have kicked the ball and walk away with no punishment.
Jerome Kaino won’t change his approach – but the Lions might get a few more penalties this time.
My mate Rhys Webb can then hit the All Blacks when they are tired – he’s the perfect impact sub off the bench. Whereas Greig Laidlaw has been way off the pace this whole tour.
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KEEP YOUR HEADS
THIS week is a mental minefield for the lads.
It’s tough – the tour could be over come Saturday night for them, but they can’t slip into that line of thinking.
One of the things I loved about being a Lion was getting out of the hotel and walking around town with the fans. It takes all that weight off your shoulders.
I mentioned my time rooming with the Lions with Leigh Halfpenny last week.
I know he will be bang in the zone now.
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I popped home from a Wales camp one Monday night to see the family. The next day Leigh asked me when I put my head on, ready for the game.
I said: “It is on!”
Leigh is a very intense player and his methods work an absolute treat as the boy doesn’t miss a kick.
I’ve never seen Gats go around individuals to try and pump them up before a game. That’s not his forte. He will give his speech – loose his cool in training if he needs to – but not too much one-to-one stuff.
All the coaches will be feeling the heat. Andy Farrell is a top guy and he will be huge behind the scenes. Me and Faz got on well, he liked my playing style and also my interview style!
On the last tour, I was asked if I was happy with my form. I told the press that I have been happy with it for at least five years! Having a laugh with someone like Faz brought the best out of me - it made me want to win more for them.
On my first tour to South Africa when we went on to lose 2-1, I perhaps thought: "I'll get another tour anyway."
As I got older I realised you can't think like that. A lot of these boys might never make another Lions tour, this could be their last chance - a chance to play yourself into the record books.
SECOND ROW
BIG and nasty is the way to go here. It's what Gats has tended to do in the past and he has the players to do it.
Maro Itoje is very dynamic - he was unlucky not to start the First Test and was a nuisance when he came on. He’s big, loud and puts himself about - just the kind of player you hate playing against.
Courtney Lawes is just the type of player Gats loves. The England boy is big, direct and smashes the contact area. He can be lethal off the bench.
Lawes makes big hits in defence, so he’s perfect as we try to fight fire with fire.
BREAKDOWN BEASTS
THEY needed to bring Sam Warburton back in.
He can steal some turnover ball on the deck, one area the Lions were found lacking at Eden Park.
The breakdown was a bit of a mess in the first test. The Lions need a general in there taking charge - Big Sam's the man for that.
He offers another line out option, too.
He's such a warrior for Wales and, after a quiet series, he can step it up and lead from the front.
IGNORE ALL THE NOISE, GATS
Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are written off and criticised every day.
Gats has just got to ignore it, it’s part of the job now, but not the part you want to be wasting any time getting worked up about. The players will say they don't read the press and they probably won't be.
But you still find out what’s being said when your best mate calls or texts you! For those boys on social media you can’t avoid it.
THE GEOGRAPHY SIX SCANDAL WILL RUMBLE ON
I REALLY don't understand it all. Gats brought in these six guys because they were nearby and wouldn't suffer from jet-lag.
But then he doesn't play them! It's just madness.
As a coach you can't be influence by outside noise - you have to be your own man, stand by your decisions and show strong leadership.
He must have known he was going to get crucified for such a controversial call, so why do it in the first place?
Pick the best players - men such as Joe Launchbury etc - that would NEVER de-value the jersey.
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