The Lions
Liam Napier talks to Keven Mealamu, Murray Mexted and Steven Bates about the upcoming series.
Keven Mealamu
Q. Who will win series and why?
It will be a competitive series between two stacked teams but home advantage swings it in our favour. I’d like to say we win the series but it could be 1-1 after the second test.
Q. Name a Lions out for.
Being a hooker myself and watched him play for the last couple of years someone like Rory Best. He’s a world-class player but the deeds he does on the field inspires the people around him. I’m looking forward to seeing his match-up with Dane Coles.
Q. Will the taxing 10-match Lions schedule be a help or hindrance?
It will help them be test match prepared. Some of the Super games will feature All Blacks, some won’t. But they’ll all be huge games. The depth of all those teams are really strong and it will be awesome to watch those guys step up. That will mean the Lions will be match hardened. It also gives them a chance to bring their team culture together really quickly. Because they’ve come together from the four unions those games are going to be really handy for them to work on combinations.
Q. Where will attack the Lions?
Without being disrespectful, being able to get our game going quickly is important. In the past we’ve been known to start the first test a little bit slower than usual. We’ll have to make sure that first test is good quality because they’ll be at that level.
Q. Is there any room for uncapped All Black to make debut?
There is the potential to bring some new players through. Usually in big series like this the guys that are tried and true and have always done the job they will go with. But what better place to blood some young talent? I still remember Luke McAlister in the third test [2005] getting his chance and seeing him grow from there. the player the Murray Mexted
Q. Who will win series and why?
The All Blacks will win the series and the reason is they’re already a team. They’ve developed through two World Cup campaigns. Warren Gatland has to bring four nations together in a short period of time and will be under pressure from the first game. That means he’s going to have to have better individuals to have any chance and I’m not sure he’s got those. Often in Lions the three All three test to look Blacks an his test tours players who do well in the northern hemisphere don’t front Down Under. If the referee lets the game flow I’d like to think we’ve got the ability to beat them 3-0.
Q. Name a Lions player to look out for.
If you asked that with the All Blacks I could name five off the top of my head but with the Lions I’m battling to come up with an X-factor player that I think will shine over here.
Q. Will the taxing 10-match Lions schedule be a help or hindrance?
Definitely a help. The way you build better players is playing in a high level competition. Super Rugby is an example of that at the moment. The New Zealand players are getting better by playing each other. A lot Lions players will be found out against our Super franchises, and the first test will be a very different team to the third test Gatland selects. There will be guys that will come through and grow and show character that hasn’t necessarily been seen in their home environment.
Q. Where will the All Blacks One of the key areas will be if Warren Gatland can create a team environment. attack the Lions?
The All Blacks know the game they are playing and they won’t change. That’s all about identifying where the opportunity is irrespective of where you are on the field. The mobility of our forwards and skill level of passing before the tackle, post tackle and during the tackle is where we have an edge in technical skills. We don’t have to wait for contact – we just give a little pass and have already drawn two players.
Q. Is there any room for uncapped All Black to make debut?
I see that in the midfield. There’s an opportunity there for someone to come through and stamp their mark because at the moment an his they’re wide open aren’t they? In the loose forwards you might also see someone come through as the new breed. Steven Bates
Q. Who will win series and why?
It’s hard to go past the All Blacks. One of the key areas will be if Warren Gatland can create a team environment. The All Blacks’ advantage is they’ve been a team for a long time; they know each other inside and out. The pool of Lions players is fantastic but they have to have all those combinations working.
Q. Name a Lions player out for.
I like the look of Owen Farrell and the young England lock Maro Itoje.
Q. Will the Lions schedule
I was coached by Warren Gatland and I’ve heard him say they wanted the schedule to be like this because in previous tours they’ve been underdone. One thing that stuck out to me is he said by the time the tests come they will be battle the three test to look taxing 10-match be a help or hindrance? hardened – and that’s a word that Gatty uses over and over again. People say the Lions will be tired come test time but that’s not how he will enforce it to his team.
Q. Where will the All Blacks attack the Lions?
I can’t see the All Blacks going too far away from their natural game. We’ll have a clearer picture come the first test because although the Lions have time to build combinations it also gives the All Blacks a chance to look what they’re doing. I see the All Blacks being more expansive than the Lions. The All Blacks’ ability to react from turnover possession will be a key area in the test series.
Q. Is there any room for an uncapped All Black to make his debut?
I don’t think so. Jordie Barrett, I know there’s a lot being said about him. If we were playing Wales or France in a three-match series my answer would be different but I can’t see that happening. I think they would only go with Jordie if Israel Dagg is unavailable. You’d have to be pretty special to play your first test against the Lions. 15. Stuart Hogg: One of two Scots left to carry the weight – and frustrations – of a nation. Hogg was brilliant on the counter attack in this year’s Six Nations. 7/10 14. George North: Big lump of a lad who, unlike some of his teammates, can move with the size. North outplayed Julian Savea in the first test at Eden Park with Wales last June. 8/10 13. Jonathan Davies: Another big man at more than 100kg, but runs good lines. In a Lions context, most remember him being preferred over Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll for the third test in Australia in 2013. 7/10 12. Robbie Henshaw: Was instrumental in Ireland’s win against the All Blacks in Chicago where Ireland got good reward from Henshaw’s ability to attack the inside channels. 7/10 11. Anthony Watson: An electric athlete capable of running 100 metres in under 11 seconds. Knows his way to the try line. 7/10 10. Owen Farrell: Supreme goalkicker, staunch defender and improved distributor. Coach Warren Gatland was unequivocal about naming Farrell primarily as a No 10. 8/10 9. Conor Murray: One of, if not the best, player in Europe this season. With Aaron Smith not yet at his best, Murray is the world’s form halfback. 9/10 8. Billy Vunipola: Big, powerful and loves to carry. Fitness has been an issue, preventing him from consistently producing. 7/10 7. Sam Warburton: Many feel he is picked first for his captaincy; second his playing ability. Warburton is more of a defensive No 7 suited to wars of attrition. 7/10 6. CJ Stander: Born and raised on a South African dairy and vegetable farm, Stander is a controversial naturalised Irishman. 8/10 5. Maro Itoje: Very rare talent. One of few English forwards naturally gifted with attacking instincts. Eddie Jones used him at blindside flanker this year but he’s expected to revert back to his more accustomed locking role. 9/10 4. Alun Wyn Jones: Beast of a man, and a leader of men. Jones took over the Welsh captaincy from Warburton this year and his locking status is unquestioned. But fitness wise, Jones is another on struggle street. 8/10 3. Tadhg Furlong: Kieran Read, Owen Franks and Brodie Retallick will all remember Furlong. The Irish tighthead’s memorable run last November left all three All Blacks on the Dublin turf. The burst even made it to YouTube. Strong scrummager but raw. 7/10 2. Rory Best: Coming up 35, Best is a revered veteran who faces stiff competition for the hooking berth. Doesn’t boast the same pace and ball skills as Dane Coles, but probably shades him in the tight. Makes for a fascinating battle. 8/10 1. Jack McGrath: Part of the Irish front row who laid the platform for victory over the All Blacks in Chicago. McGrath can play on either side of the scrum if required. Expected to be used in tandem with Wellington-born English prop Mako Vunipola. 7/10 Bench: Jamie George (England), Kyle Sinckler (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Courtney Lawes (England), Sean O’Brien (Ireland), Rhys Webb (Wales), Johnny Sexton (Ireland), Liam Williams (Wales) 7/10. TOTAL 121 Liam Napier