New faces aplenty as NZ face Malaysia
Welshmen George North or Liam Williams, or May or Anthony Watson come to that, with the pacey, wriggling Stuart Hogg at the rear, there is plenty to savour in terms of a potential red-shirted attack.
My one gripe with the Lions setup is why there is not a threeline whip as to which coaches should be available to assist Warren Gatland.
It is understandable that Gregor Townsend or Joe Schmidt or Eddie Jones should want to focus on their own national sides.
But the Lions has to have buy in from every union, every administration if it is to be successful. The best of the best.
The players are chomping at the bit to be involved. That is what matters. In fact, even the Kiwis will be relishing the prospect. Some new faces will be given the chance to represent New Zealand this month when the Black Sticks women host Malaysia for five matches in Taranaki.
Head coach Mark Hager named 12 debutants in his side for this month’s test series,in Stratford from 12-18 December.
‘‘To be able to provide an opportunity for 12 debutants is exciting and builds on our philosophy post Rio of providing opportunity for the wider group,’’ Hager said.
Following on from last week’s 2-1 series win against Australia in the Trans-Tasman Trophy, Hager looked to continue to give some of the young talent coming through in the country some international experience.
Alongside the debutants, veterans Sam Harrison, Kirsten Pearce and Natasha Fitzsimons were named in the squad, providing a level of experience to an otherwise fresh squad. Pearce was the only player named in the team who was a part of the squad for the Rio Olympics.
Hager said the time is right to continue the evolution of the Black Sticks group with the Tokyo Olympic Games looming in four years.