Kiwis are ‘scenting blood’ of the Lions
Read’s leadership group.
‘‘There’s a few guys that have been through that and lessons you can teach to the young boys that are pretty valuable.’’
As for the rugby, there are no secrets about where the Lions plan to attack the All Blacks. Warren Gatland will instruct his big pack to target the breakdown; to slow the All Blacks’ ruck speed. But while the Lions are confident of physically dominating, Read and his pack welcome the standoff.
‘‘It’s a great challenge for us as an All Blacks pack.
‘‘We know it will be the making of most of the test matches - us being able to dominate up front. You can’t just rely on your scrum and lineout - it’s across the board. I know they’re probably stronger sides at the breakdown because they do a lot of it up there; perhaps more than we have in Super Rugby. That will probably be the other aspect of the game that’s going to be crucial.’’
The scene is set for Read. His future was sealed this week but the present will write a definitive chapter in his legacy as captain. Former Chiefs and Blues fullback Gareth Anscombe has warned the Lions that Kiwi players ‘‘will be coming for them scenting blood’’ during their tour of New Zealand.
Anscombe, a New Zealand under-20s international in 2011, switched allegiances to Wales in 2015 having joined Cardiff Blues the previous year.
The 26-year-old from Auckland said the long season most of the Lions squad have endured could lead to tired legs in New Zealand.
But his biggest warning for Warren Gatland’s players would be the Kiwis they face in contests against New Zealand’s Super Rugby franchises.
‘‘They are going to need to be right on their mettle in those games, especially the midweek ones before and between the tests,’’ Anscombe told Wales Online.
‘‘They will have to deal with the disappointment of the boys who have missed out on the test team and have to back up against teams who will be coming for them scenting blood.
‘‘And the Lions will have had limited preparation for the earlier games so that pose it’s own issues.’’
Anscombe, who has won nine Wales caps, believes the Lions can challenge the All Blacks in the three-test series.
‘‘They’ve got a team capable of putting the All Blacks under enough periods of extended and sustained pressure to cause them problems,’’ he added.
‘‘In some situations the Lions have more depth. The All Blacks have got some depth but they have had injuries themselves, especially in their loose forwards.
‘‘The Lions have a really exciting mix of players. It’s got enough X-factor in the squad to cause the All Blacks problems. It should be a great tour and test series.’’
The Lions begin their tour against the Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei on June 3.