Upbeat Faletau confident tourists can fight back against Kiwis in next Test

TAULUPE Faletau has insisted the British and Irish Lions can fend off both the weight of history and the mighty All Blacks to win their Test series.

New Zealand bludgeoned the Lions into submission, 30-15, in the first Test clash at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

The Lions have only ever overturned a 1-0 series deficit on two occasions – in Australia in 1899 and again in 1989 – and have still only won one series in New Zea- land, in 1971. The back-to-back world champion All Blacks extended their Eden Park unbeaten run to 39 games, and could swipe the series with victory at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

But despite all the obstacles in their path, number eight Faletau remains adamant the Lions can storm to victory.

“We still believe we’re capable of winning the next game and getting what we want out of this tour, which is the series win,” said Faletau.

“We’ve got to go back to the drawing board to solve a few issues.

“But there’s no need to panic, we just need to get our basics right, holding on to the ball.

“It’s tough against the world champions.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll work hard for it.”

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen certainly got one up on Lions head coach Warren Gatland in the mind games stakes, and rubbed salt into the wounds afterwards.

Hansen admitted he finds it “amusing” when opponents attempt to dominate the All Blacks’ tight-five.

The Lions had expected the All Blacks to attack with a flurry of offloads, cutting lines and adding width and flair.

Instead, New Zealand went direct, in a bid to negate the