Expect an All Blacks reaction – because defeat would mean national mourning | Nick Evans

Jul 07, 2017

There has been an edge to New Zealand’s training this week, which is a sign the team are focused on the job in hand against the Lions

All Blacks supporters will not even be contemplating defeat on Saturday. I have been involved in similar circumstances, when we lost to France at the 2007 World Cup when no one saw it coming, and just like back then, there would be a period of national morning and the inquest would start.

But there has been an edge to New Zealand this week. Steve Hansen’s selection is bold and while Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape are making their first international starts, there is a huge amount of experience around them, particularly in the pack. The Lions have a few more caps than the All Blacks but I believe that it is the type of experience that counts. This match feels like a World Cup final and the All Blacks have been in the last two and got the job done. And that gives them the edge.

Tags: Australia sport British & Irish Lions Lions tour 2017 New Zealand rugby union team Rugby union Sport