FIRST TEST, AUCKLAND, TODAY, 8.35, SS1
BRIAN GETS SHIRTY
LEGEND Brian O’Driscoll presented Lions skipper Peter O’Mahony with the squad’s first Test shirts yesterday – 12 years after being spear-tackled out of action against the All Blacks.
The Irish icon played in four tours from 2001 to 2013 but had no chance to impress when the Lions last headed to New Zealand. An illegal tackle by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu dislocated his shoulder inside a minute as the Kiwis won 21-3. SONNY BILL WILLIAMS (NZ) v BEN TE’O (Lions)
Master midfield off-loader Williams is among the most potent attacking threats in world rugby.
A former rugby league star who also became a champion boxer, his power and trickery should keep the Lions defence on red alert.
Auckland-born England international Te’o also made his name in rugby league before switching codes.
He has taken to the union code impressively, combining raw strength with deft handling skills. A bone-crunching confrontation awaits. BEAUDEN BARRETT (NZ) v OWEN FARRELL (Lions)
Fly-half Barrett is the computer hard-drive for New Zealand’s often scintillating attacking game.
The world player of the year’s mesmeric running and kicking game have highlighted him taking over the No.10 shirt from All Blacks superstar Dan Carter.
But in Farrell the Lions possess an unflappable character of steely precision who rarely makes a mistake. The bigger the game, the more influential he often becomes.