REAL TEST FOR GAT!
Boss has tough call
CHIEFS .................. 6 LIONS ................. 34
WARREN GATLAND faces a tough task picking his British Lions team to face New Zealand in Saturday’s first Test.
The head coach was given food for thought by the Lions’ crushing win over Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton yesterday.
Two-try Jack Nowell and England teammates Elliot Daly and Courtney Lawes produced eye-catching displays.
Gatland said: “Selection is the coaches discussing the options and the positions and then collectively agreeing.
“I’m sure there will be some lively debate and discussion. The result was the first priority and then the performance.
“We are pretty happy with where we are at the moment. The selection meeting will be tough.
“We spoke about the quality of the squad before we left and some players haven’t disappointed us.”
Towering
Nowell’s two-try display was his best game of the tour while Daly has put pressure on George North for a wing spot. Lawes’ towering display in the second row also forced him into Gatland’s thinking.
Gatland said: “It just hadn’t happened for Jack in the first couple of games.
“He is a player who is prolific in terms of getting his hands on the ball. He showed that when he scored his tries.
“I was pleased to see him play well and I thought Elliot looked sharp.”
The Lions will face the All Blacks as underdogs but Gatland said: “I hope we are peaking at the right time.
“We always felt that we would get better the longer we spent together.”
Lions tour captain Sam Warbuton (ankle) could be named as a replacement while his opposite number Kieran Read will give New Zealand a major boost.
Read has been out with a broken thumb since April but the 97-times capped No.8 is set to be passed fit.