The Lions coach has come in for criticism in his homeland yet knows his side must resist the All Blacks’ attempts to provoke an open game in the first TestHistory, ancient and modern, points to the Lions being outroared by New Zealand. The All Blacks warmed up for the series by amassing 78 points and 12 tries against Samoa. When asked what the Lions would need in Saturday’s first Test, the Samoa captain, Kahn Fotuali’i, replied: “Luck.”As well as tries, luck has largely eluded them so far. The loss of the No8 Billy Vunipola before the tour was compounded by the thigh injury suffered by Owen Farrell in training, a Lion the All Blacks would find space for. It would...
Warren Gatland will face criticism for bringing in reinforcements and on the field there are still chances being frittered awayThe criticism will not bother Warren Gatland in the slightest but it has been widespread nonetheless after he seconded four Wales players and two Scots on the basis of geography. He has been accused of devaluing the Lions jersey in doing so and, moreover, he risks affecting the dynamic of the squad. You have to feel for Kristian Dacey for example, no doubt thrilled to be called up but constantly being told he is not there on merit. For Gatland to say those six will be leaving the squad after the last midweek game also feels unnecessary. All will be forgotten...
By now the Lions will realise how demanding a New Zealand tour can be but Warren Gatland’s squad still has the potential to develop a clinical edgeThe British & Irish Lions move on to Rotorua, hoping the Bay of Plenty lives up to its name after average returns so far in New Zealand. Tuesday’s defeat to the Highlanders deflated rather than punctured the belief generated by the success over the Crusaders in Christchurch, but only victory will do against New Zealand Maori on Saturday when the tourists will field what will be very close to their side in the first Test.Four matches into the trip, every player in the squad now appreciates that a tour to New Zealand is unlike...
The partnership, featuring Murray’s tactical kicking and Farrell’s distribution, led to the British & Irish Lions’ best performance of the tour against the CrusadersThe British & Irish Lions may have been rocked by criticism in New Zealand of their playing style, but their victory against the Crusaders showed they are not going to be swayed by it.They pitched up in Christchurch with six players from the 2013 tour to Australia who were making their first starts in New Zealand: if it was not quite the A-team, they brought their A-game, led around the field by authoritative, pragmatic half-backs. Related: Sam Warburton to return from injury and lead Lions against Highlanders Related: Lions’ confounding win gives New Zealand reasons to be...
Forwards leave coach spoilt for choice and set tourists up well for the tests that lie ahead as they prepare for their match against the Highlanders on TuesdayIt is impossible to overstate the fresh sense of purpose that has accompanied the entire British & Irish Lions squad south from Christchurch to Otago. Not many sides conquer a strong Crusaders team with something to spare and the result on Saturday had two significant consequences. Not only do these Lions have more belief in themselves but New Zealand’s worst nightmare is in danger of materialising.From a New Zealand point of view all was relatively normal before the weekend. The touring team had been struggling to make an impression, the local media were...