Mental edge in Test is wanted

SAM Warburton fully expects the British and Irish Lions and New Zealand to use off the ball skirmishes to steal a mental edge in Saturday’s second Test.

The Lions captain admitted the tourists are hurting after coming off “second best” in the physical battle in their 30-15 first Test loss to the All Blacks last weekend.

Wales flanker Warburton has taken the No 6 shirt and the captaincy off Peter O’Mahony for the second Test in Wellington, as the Lions battle to save the series.

The 28-year-old vowed the Lions will protect Conor Murray from New Zealand’s roughhousing treatment when the Lions scrum-half box kicks but insisted the Westpac Stadium clash is bound to be full of niggle from both sides.

“I’ve probably played almost 200 games of professional rugby and that happens eve single game you play in,” said Warburton, of off the ball incidents.

“It’s the little mental edges that players like to get over each other.

“With the incident on Conor Murray, the forwards take that responsibility and we should look after him better.

“But stuff off the ball goes on every game. There’s no defending that but people try to get into each other, at ruck time or mauls.

“Referees can’t see everything and you just accept that as players.

“That’s all part of the psychological battle, not just before but during a match as well.

“Players always get into each other. But it’s all handshakes after a match.

“I’ve spoken to most of the Kiwi guys. They are a great bunch and no-one’s taking anything personally.

“You play rugby because you enjoy the physical side, so when you come off second best there it does hurt you as a player. And we were beaten pretty well in the physical side of things in the first Test.”