Tourists’ conditioning expert reckons time away from rugby will refresh the parts another gym session cannot reach before the decider against the All BlacksIt is at times like this, with a major Test series poised at 1-1 before a decisive finale, that top-level coaches earn their money. On the one hand the British & Irish Lions need no extra motivation for the biggest game of their lives, on the other they must take the field on Saturday with precisely the right mindset. It is part art, part science, particularly in the final week of an 11-month season.Some head coaches, on the eve of a “cup final”, like to trust in the months of hard training their players have already banked...
While the Lions are having some fun in Queenstown, New Zealand are talking a good game but can’t seem to move on from their defeat in the second Test Players always say they’re only worrying about themselves, not the other lot. It’s on the first page of the PR’s guide to press conference cliches. The All Blacks offered up a couple of variations on it on Tuesday, but you can be sure they’ve been talking about the Lions, the way they played in the second Test and what they have been up to since. Related: Lions’ Irish players steeled for decider having felt force of wounded All Blacks Related: Lions centre Jared Payne faces further tests as migraines continue Continue reading...
The British & Irish Lions have momentum after their memorable win in Wellington, but the All Blacks will be charged up by defeatNew Zealand rarely lose and hardly ever at home. Just as the British & Irish Lions burned with desire and determination in Wellington, knowing they had to win to remain in the series, so the All Blacks will have a sharper edge in training this week. The series may be level, but the Lions have created more opportunities than their hosts, who have struggled to break out of the shackles fixed on them by a rush defence. The forward battle has been even, but in the backs it is advantage Lions. Momentum is with them but they know...
Wafer-thin refereeing decisions and breaks of the ball won Warren Gatland’s men the second Test, and the victory sets up a mouthwatering deciderThere is so much to love about the British & Irish Lions, and so much to love about what was a hell of a Test, but there is one thing that has annoyed me about it and left a bit of a bitter taste. The penalty to win the match is really frustrating and it is just a shame that such a good contest was settled that way.It is not the fault of Jérôme Garcès because, to the letter of the law, it is a penalty. It is the law itself that is the problem. Kyle Sinckler jumps just...
Steve Hansen, New Zealand’s coach, has plenty of potential replacements for the suspended centre for the third Test against the British & Irish LionsNot long after Warren Gatland had named his British & Irish Lions squad in April Steve Hansen warned his compatriot against trying to replicate Ireland’s method of victory against the All Blacks in Chicago. It will be intriguing to hear if Gatland has any words of wisdom for his rival this week; to hear what he may think of New Zealand looking to bounce back from defeat in the same manner as against Ireland, a couple of weeks later in Dublin.This is not least because the suspension of Sonny Bill Williams means there is every chance Malakai...