Lions can ‘strike fear’ into ABs
It’s no longer mission impossible for the Lions, but still ‘‘phenomenally hard’’ as buoyant British media brace for the test series with an invigorated belief.
The first test begins at Eden Park on Saturday and Lions coach Warren Gatland said the time for ‘‘trash talk’’ was over ahead of encountering the All Blacks.
Former Lions first fiveeighth Stuart Barnes said early tour talk of ‘Warrenball’ was ‘‘a load of balls’’ after the selection of Liam Williams at fullback over Leigh Halfpenny, which could ‘‘strike fear’’ into the heart of any defending team after the Welshman’s impressive display in their 34-6 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton on Tuesday.
Owen Slot of The Times said the Lions are unrecognisable from the team that started with a scratchy 13-7 win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians before losing to the Blues 22-16 – and they’re now ‘‘at the stage where they can touch’’ the All Blacks.
He wrote: ‘‘That is why the Auckland pubs are rocking with anticipation. Even in quieter corners, it has been hard to escape the hype.
‘‘According to his coach, Steve Hansen, Kieran Read, the All Blacks captain, is ‘‘jumping out of his skin. Can’t wait.’’
‘‘The Lions left home little more than three weeks ago, but it feels like months and, in part, that is because they are unrecognisable.
‘‘In their pursuit of a game plan, and the standards required to pull it off, they have travelled a considerable distance. Three weeks ago, this looked like mission impossible.
‘‘Now it just looks phenomenally hard. They have done enough to give sporting romantics cause to hope.’’
After endorsing Williams’ inclusion ahead of Halfpenny at fullback as a ‘‘stroke of inspiration’’, Barnes said the Lions wouldn’t lose because of of bad selection.
‘‘The Lions have bludgeon up front and brio in the back three. The balance is good. Warrenball? A load of balls,’’ he wrote in The Times.
‘‘No [George] North, no Halfpenny, no Sam Warburton in the first XV. These men have been the spine of Gatland’s Wales teams.
‘‘I am told that social media has been overwhelmed with criticism of the decision not to start with Maro Itoje.
‘‘A contentious call, but his extremes of energy could count for more by combating the All Black and their high-impact bench in the last half hour or so.’’
Former Lions flanker Stephen Ferris said Gatland had picked a team capable of turning the All Blacks over despite a few shock selections. He told Sky Sports that including Elliot Daly and Williams were good calls after they performed well against the Chiefs.
‘‘For me it is a great, great team. There are a couple of lads who proved themselves out in Hamilton on Tuesday night and they have been given an opportunity,’’ Ferris said.
‘‘Yes, Warren Gatland may have rolled the dice slightly but I think this is a team who can go to Eden Park and beat the All Blacks.
‘‘New Zealand have not lost in Eden Park since 1994 but they have to lose at some stage and I really think this Lions team can turn them over.
If it remains wet then that plays into the Lions hands – they have the capability of building a score and that is what they have to do.’’