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 LionsAll 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...
The Lions head coach has picked an unchanged side against the All Blacks who are looking a little uncertain with their three changes for the Eden Park decider For a glimpse of what might lie ahead for the British & Irish Lions in the closing 80 minutes of their New Zealand tour, it is worth recalling the final act of their previous series win here in 1971. The Lions were 2-1 up going into the fourth and final Test and the All Blacks kicked off like men possessed. “For the first 20 minutes the New Zealanders played as if they’d drunk an energy potion,” the great fly‑half Barry John recalled. “I thought we were going to be stuffed.” Related: Steve...
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...