ANT: NOW IT’S MY TURN TO DECK ’EM Battered Watson insists he and the Lions can deliver KO blow in winner-takes-all final Test
ANTHONY WATSON is ready to deliver his own knockout blow – a week on from being Sonny Bill Williams’ punchbag.
The Bath wing survived the fearsome hit, which had Williams – who has boxed professionally – sent off in Wellington.
Now, he has the chance to make the All Blacks pay.
“It’s one shot, one opportunity,” said Watson, of a game that will confirm these Lions either as plucky losers or all-time greats.
“We get one chance to go out there and do it – it’s all about winning.
“Going home 2-1 losers, you’re still a loser. We want to win.
“It’s all about maximising the opportunity and, for me, impacting on the game wherever I can.”
Six days ago, it was Williams who took his chance to put one shot on Watson, the first England wing to start all three Tests in a Lions series since Jason Robinson in 2001.
Slow-motion replays of the heavyweight’s shoulder smash into the face of the ball-carrying back reveal Watson, 23, recognising what is about to happen and grimacing just prior to impact.
“I remember everything,” he said. “I had to brace myself for it. Obviously, it was a big tackle and I had to go off for the HIA (head injury assessment).
“It’s up there with the biggest whack I’ve ever had, but I have done all the protocols and everything has gone to plan.”
Williams, who has won all seven bouts in his on-off ring career – three by KO – apologised to Watson after becoming the first All Black for 50 years to see red. “He messaged me on Twitter to say it was never his intention and I don’t doubt that,” said the young Lion.
“I don’t think he’s a malicious player. I don’t think he intentionally led with his shoulder to hurt me or anything like that.”
Intentional or not, it reminded the Lions that they face the scrap of their lives if they are to win a first series here since 1971 and condemn the All Blacks to their first Eden Park loss in 23 years.
Given the stakes, Watson predicts the Lions will crank up the physicality another notch, adding: “It’s a tied series, so both teams are going to try to bring it.
“I’d expect it definitely to go up another level. We’ve got to keep our momentum, pushing forward.
“Getting the win last week gave us a lot of confidence.
“Yes we’ve got to play at Eden Park, but, for me, it’s just another rugby stadium.
“You just pitch up and play. Records are there to be broken.”
They are indeed.
Only it is 19 years since the Kiwis last lost successive home Tests.