BRIAN LOCHORE

Sir Brian Lochore was named All Blacks captain for the 1966 Lions tour in a surprising move by coach Fred Allen, who picked him ahead of several more experienced All Blacks like Sir Colin Meads, outstanding flankers Kel Tremain and Waka Nathan, and prop Ken Gray. “It was a very strong and settled pack. For a greenhorn like me I was pretty nervous at first, being made captain over others more experienced than me. I think we had seven provincial captains in the pack and some of them were very experienced test players. I don’t think I was poor at the beginning, but I was a little jittery and not very assertive.”

Lochore believes the reason for the All Blacks success against the Lions in 1966 is the same reason the 2017 team should have an edge – the skills of the forwards.

“It’s always been our strength, probably for nigh on 100 years. They [British forwards] are catching up and getting better, but we are still better than them.”

Lochore thinks the Lions schedule, with games against all five Super Rugby franchises and a match against New Zealand Maori, could be their undoing.

“The franchises are going to give them a right old bolloxing. They might not win, but they will be tough games. It will be about how the Lions gel as a team, and how the management group comes together too, that’s key as well.

“This will be a tough tour and they will have a big squad, which is always hard to handle. If they can gel they will be strong. It’s a big challenge for the All Blacks, but a challenge always brings the best out of us.”

THE FRANCHISES ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM A RIGHT OLD BOLLOXING. THEY MIGHT NOT WIN, BUT THEY WILL BE TOUGH GAMES.’ SIR BRIAN LOCHORE