LIONS TOUR DIARY

Quote of the day:

‘‘[I’m] pretty cool, calm and excited. Worry is a wasted emotion, it’s a wasted emotion because if the thing you’re worried about has happened you need to fix it, there’s no point worrying about it. And if it hasn’t happened, you get a plan so you don’t have to worry about it. But that’s good feedback from Warren, I appreciate it.’’

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says if Lions mentor Warren Gatland thinks he’s worried, he’s wrong. View from the north:

‘‘Warren Gatland promised ‘a surprise up his sleeve’, and in preferring Liam Williams over Leigh Halfpenny at full-back he was as good as his word but in his choice of Alun Wyn Jones over the dynamic brilliance of Maro Itoje, the Lions head coach has shown his team will be intent on putting the New Zealand forwards under the cosh from the first whistle.’’

Mick Cleary in The Telegraph predicts an early Lions forward onslaught. Bet of the day: All Blacks by 21 or more is paying $4.75.

We don’t think that will be the case, but go ahead you rabid Lions-bashers, put your money where your mouth is, if you’re so damn confident.

Look out for: More verbals in the HansenGatland jousting.

They’re a magnificent entree ahead of the main course on Saturday night.

Man of the moment: Rieko Ioane.

He’s just 20 and here he is on the wing for the All Blacks, starting a test for the first time – and Julian Savea and Waisake Naholo have been left out to get him there. What a massive vote of confidence from a coach not known for taking risks.