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New Zealand v British and Irish Lions: Everything you need to know

Jordie Barrett making his New Zealand debut

After years of anticipation stretching back to the fateful and anticlimactic tour of 2005, the outcome of the British and Irish Lions’ long-awaited series against New Zealand will come down to 80 intense minutes at the All Blacks‘ Eden Park fortress on Saturday.

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The world champions have not lost in Auckland since 1994 and were predictably dominant there in the series opener two weeks ago, when a Rieko Ioane brace in the second half neutralised the Lions’ thrilling breakaway try, scored by Sean O’Brien, the hosts running out 30-15 winners.

It was a different, more intriguing story last weekend in Wellington, where Sonny Bill Williams’ indiscipline – he was sent off after just 24 minutes for a shoulder charge to Anthony Watson’s face – opened the door, and the visitors duly barged through. Tries from Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray made the victory possible and Owen Farrell’s unerring accuracy from the kicking tee finished the job.

The England fly-half’s boot is likely to be vital again in the decider, should the Lions remain in the contest against a New Zealand team who will not only be back to a full complement of players but also stinging with the pain of a rare reverse.

The hosts’ coach Steve Hansen has made three changes for the finale, with Jordie Barrett taking over at full-back in the continued absence of Ben Smith, who is suffering from an ear problem. That role was occupied by Israel Dagg in the second Test, but he reverts to the wing in this one, Waisake Naholo making way.

Julian Savea, on the verge of becoming the All Blacks’ record Test try-scorer and an unexpected absentee from the first two encounters, finally comes into the XV for Ioane. Ngani Laumape takes over from the suspended Williams at inside centre for what is captain Kieran Read’s 100th appearance. Gatland’s Lions, meanwhile, are unchanged.

HEAD TO HEAD

New Zealand: 30
British and Irish Lions: 7
Draw: 3

KEY PLAYERS

Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)

Much is expected of every All Black newcomer, but there can be few more searching examinations for a player making his first start than taking on the British and Irish Lions in a series decider.

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That is the challenge that awaits Barrett on Saturday, as the youngest brother of Beauden and Scott, the latter among the replacements, joins his siblings in the New Zealand fold, having made his debut off the bench against Samoa.

Mako Vunipola (British and Irish Lions)

Loosehead prop Vunipola was said to be in the selection firing line for the decider after struggling against All Blacks tighthead Owen Franks in the scrum during the second Test, while also conceding four penalties and being sent to the sin bin.

Warren Gatland, though, has kept faith with the Saracens forward, who now has an opportunity to reward his coach and play a part in what could be a famous Lions triumph.

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THE LINE-UPS

New Zealand: Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read.

British and Irish Lions: Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.

PRE-MATCH TALK

Steve Hansen (New Zealand): “Is the Lions series usually significant? Of course it is because it only happens once every 12 years. Will it define this team and will it define the people in this team? No.

“Because there’s a heck of a lot more of this story to be written. But what it will do, win lose or draw, is, as I said before, it will make this team stronger. And that will be good.”

Warren Gatland (British and Irish Lions): “You get those moments in your life and you don’t want those moments to pass you by, that is what big occasions and big sporting events are about.

“You have got to be excited, it is a pressure that you relish. This is what you do all the training for, you want those moments and sometimes they don’t come around that often.”

OPTA STATS

– The Lions have won their third Test on each of their last two tours, though they haven’t won a third Test against the All Backs since a 13-3 victory in 1971.

– New Zealand are undefeated (W6, D1) in their last seven Tests against the Lions at Eden Park, including wins in each of their last five by an average margin of 17 points.

– Victory for the Lions would see them win just their second ever Test series against the All Blacks after taking two wins and a draw from a four-game series in 1971.

– The Lions have won four of their last six Tests, however they will be aiming for back-to-back wins against the All Blacks for the first time in history.

– The last time the All Blacks lost consecutive fixtures on home turf was against Australia and South Africa in the 1998 Tri-Nations; while the last time any team beat the All Blacks twice during a single tour to New Zealand was France in 1994.

Kieran Read is set to play his 100th Test for the All Blacks, becoming just the seventh New Zealand player to reach a century of Test caps.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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