SONNY & SCARE

Debutant Henshaw warns idol Williams that tourists are ready to roar in ‘massive physical test’

ROBBIE HENSHAW has warned his childhood idol Sonny Bill Williams that the Lions are ready to roar.

Henshaw, 23, has to pinch himself that he is making his Lions debut opposite New Zealand’s three-sport superstar in this morning’s Blues clash. “I was a big fan of his when I was a kid, whether it was performing in league or for the All Blacks,” he admitted. “So to be coming up against him is pretty surreal.” But Henshaw (left), a standout player when Ireland beat the All Blacks back in November, insists there is no danger of him being overawed.

Not in a game the Lions know they must use to send a statement to all of New Zealand after Saturday’s unimpressive start.

“I’m really looking forward to playing against him and having a go,” he said.

“We need to come with an attack mentality, but we need to go after these teams in defence as well.

“We can’t just sit off and let these boys play because we know they can pull something out of nothing – they can tear teams up in the blink of an eye.”

Williams, 31, (above) is the two-time World Cup winner, who has also played rugby league to the highest level AND become a champion heavyweight boxer. Henshaw readily admits he has never seen a more talented sportsman than the 6ft 4in Aucklander. He is fondly remembered for giving his World Cup winner’s medal to a 14-year-old English boy heavily tackled by a steward at the end of the 2015 Twickenham final.

But it is the Lions who need to be making the good impression at Eden Park, where more than 40,000 fans are expected.

After this come games against four Kiwi provinces, all better placed than the Blues in Super Rugby.

Lose today and the alarm bells will ring.

Henshaw knows it is a “massive test” and expects “one of the most physical games we’ll come across on this tour”.

But, if their final training session is any guide, the Lions are fired up and mean business.

“It got pretty heated,” attack coach Rob Howley (left) confirmed.

“The contact was explosive.”