Lions duo will be key for Test

SEAN O’Brien and Sam Warburton can combine to lead the British and Irish Lions to a life-changing series win in New Zealand, according to Neil Jenkins.

Assistant coach Jenkins hailed O’Brien’s availability as a huge boost for Saturday’s Test series decider with the All Blacks, after a citing against the Ireland flanker was dismissed.

O’Brien was called to a disciplinary hearing for allegedly striking Waisake Naholo in the Lions’ 24-21 win over New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday, that squared the Test series at one-all.

The bullish Leinster star caused New Zealand untold problems in Wellington, and Jenkins expects his back-row partnership with skipper Sam Warburton to scale even further heights in the final Test in Auckland.

Jenkins — who helped the Lions to a series win in South Africa in 1997 — admitted it could take the 2017 squad years to appreciate the enormity if they registered the tourists’ second-ever series win in New Zealand.

“Sean O’Brien’s performances on this tour speak volumes,” said Jenkins.

“He’s been outstanding on this trip. He’s a world-class rugby player, and he and Sam Warburton were outstanding last week.

“They both played exceptionally well. It’s only right that he’s available for Saturday, and it’s good news for us that he is as well.

“Sometimes you don’t really appreciate what you’ve actually achieved in rugby until you finish playing.

“So you can only really think about that properly after Saturday night, and maybe even years down the road if you like.

“Whatever happens on Saturday this has been a fantastic tour and the boys have done exceptionally well.

“They’ve gone hard from day one.”