Lions must find killer instinct – Watson

ANTHONY Watson believes the British and Irish Lions must add a killer instinct if they are to topple New Zealand.

The Lions throttled the Maori All Blacks in an imperious 32-10 victory in Rotorua on Saturday, but still left a host of fine line breaks unconverted.

Warren Gatland’s men strangled their hosts into submission, but England wing Watson conceded they must sharpen up behind the scrum.

The Lions will face back-to-back world champions New Zealand in the first Test at Eden Park on Saturday, with Bath flyer Watson calling on the tourists to add a lethal finishing streak.

“We need to finish off our line breaks and score tries from those,” said Watson.

“We have got to be better at finishing and not let it get to the case where moves break down and we receive penalties.

“That said, I think things are moving in the right direction. If you look from the first game of the tour to now, you can see there has been a drastic difference to how we play.

“That is credit to the coaches and the players for all buying into the ethos. Everyone is working hard to get everything in order. It has been great but there is much more to come.”

England playmaker Owen Farrell could yet shake off a quadriceps strain in time to start the first All Blacks Test.

Head coach Warren Gatland revealed the Lions only held Farrell back from action against the Maori as a precaution, and Watson hopes the steely focused Saracen could now hand the tourists a huge Test boost.

Wales star Jonathan Davies pulled off several eye-catching line breaks against the Maori, leaving Watson admitting the Lions now boast a promising mixture of backline options.

“Having Owen Farrell fit and healthy would be a massive boost for the squad as well but we will have to wait and see,” said Watson.

“Johnny Sexton and Dan Biggar both played very well again out there against the Maori and competition for places is high.”