At a glance

Lions team for the first test: Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Conor Murray, Taulupe Faletau, Sean O’Brien, Peter O’Mahony (captain), George Kruis, Alun Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Reserves: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb, Johnny Sexton, Leigh Halfpenny.

Yet after leaving captain Sam Warburton on the bench and delivering a few selection surprises – notably the more elusive Liam Williams over Leigh Halfpenny at fullback – Gatland was seemingly suggesting the Lions would break ranks at Eden Park and attack the All Blacks.

‘‘Now it’s about bringing other parts of our game, which is about playing with some flair and taking some risks and being courageous and bold,’’ Gatland said. ‘‘That’s the way to beat the All Blacks.’’

That may be true. The All Blacks have lost only four games since Steven Hansen assumed control in 2012, with the opposition averaging 33 points across those defeats. Whether the Lions are capable, or indeed need that many, remains to be seen.

Pressed on the Lions’ apparent new-found attacking intent, A dark cloud on the sidelines when the Crusaders lost to the Lions, Ryan Crotty has found the silver fern lining in the form of a test centre slot.

When Crotty, 28, was injured against the Highlanders this month, his rib cartilage woes cost him his place in the Crusaders, then the test last week against Samoa.

Now he’s back, lined up for his 27th test, yet only the third in which he will start at 13. Both the others were outside Sonny Bill Williams, one was against the US, the other against Samoa. Minnows both.

‘‘I was very disappointed to miss the game down in Christchurch with the Crusaders getting a crack against them a few weeks ago, it was a tough one to miss, but in hindsight it was the right decision and I’m just happy to get my opportunity on Saturday,’’ he said.

Crotty grabbed No 13 ahead of the flashy offloading Anton LienertBrown, outside the flashy offloading Williams.

He’s seen as the backline glue, the wise head, the defence organiser, the order-giver. At least, that’s what he touts his role as being.

‘‘I just have to concentrate on my strengths and what I bring to the game, bringing that kinda cool, calm a lot of voice - just bringing that steadying influence to the team.

‘‘[I’m] the connection between the back three and our 12s and 10s in the way we defend.

‘‘I just focus on my role, and Sonny focus on his - I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’d be looking for an offload every now and then.’’ Gatland bristled at the suggestion a clash of styles was brewing.

When it was explained to him that theory evolved from what the majority of the Lions test team showed in victories over the Crusaders and New Zealand Maori, Gatland reined in his initial statements to say his men would attack at select moments.

‘‘We squeezed the life out of those two teams. We won’t stop being aggressive defensively. To play against the All Blacks you’ve got to have a strong set piece because they’re traditionally very