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...
It was 24 years ago that a Lions win in Wellington was followed by the ‘Black-lash’ at Eden Park, where New Zealand romped to a 30-13 victorySean Fitzpatrick recalls it as the worst week of his life while conversely it featured one of the highlights of Warren Gatland’s playing career. It was the seven days between the British & Irish Lions’ 20-7 victory in Wellington in 1993 – until Saturday the last time the tourists have beaten New Zealand – and the subsequent Black-lash at Eden Park. And it comes sharply into focus with all roads leading to Auckland once more.Fitzpatrick had anticipated a flaying at the hands of the New Zealand press, and so it materialised with a venom...
The days of New Zealand going into mourning after any defeat are over – they see it as a chance for their team to grow and to come back strongerTwenty-three All Blacks woke with the strangest feelings on Sunday morning. It was not their aching bodies, the sprains, strains, and bruises, stiff shoulders, throbbing legs, sore chests – all that was familiar enough. They expect nothing less after a Test. But another, more novel, sensation, altogether more painful. Defeat.Their captain, Kieran Read, is about to play his 100th game. In the past 99, he has experienced this 11 times. His mate Sam Whitelock, who has won more caps at lock than any other All Black, has lost seven. Beauden Barrett,...
Warren Gatland must ensure that tempers are kept in check and the penalty count stemmed to have a chance of winning at the All Blacks’ Eden Park fortressWhen England popped down to Queenstown for a spot of relaxation during the 2011 Rugby World Cup things did not end well. No one, however, can possibly begrudge the 2017 British & Irish Lions some deserved rest and recuperation following their famous 24-21 win over New Zealand in Wellington. At 1-1 the series remains gloriously alive and all they are looking to throw is a victory party after Saturday’s decisive third Test in Auckland.In the meantime, between the jet boating and team bonding, the players could do worse than follow the advice of...
Down to 14 men, Steve Hansen’s side still managed to turn the screw on the Lions, taking the game to them and provoking a high number of errorsFronting up to the TV cameras cannot be easy after a defeat as dramatic as New Zealand’s against the Lions in Wellington, so all credit to Sam Cane for doing so. As his captain and coach had both done only moments before, Cane spoke with humility but his closing remarks when replying to a question about Saturday’s decider in Auckland – “game on, mate” – were said with a conviction that gave just a glimpse of the Black-lash on the horizon. Related: Lions win thriller to level series after All Blacks’ Sonny Bill...