Lions urged to make a big impact

Warren Gatland believes his British and Irish Lions can ambush an unsuspecting New Zealand public in the fastapproaching Test series against the All Blacks.

Head coach Gatland admitted no surprise on learning that 78 per cent of Kiwis quizzed in a recent poll could not name a single Lions tourist.

All Blacks’ disinterest in opponents is nothing new, though, and Gatland hopes the Lions can catch the New Zealand public cold across a series the home faithful fully expect to claim with ease.

Asked if the Lions can shock the whole country, Gatland said: “That’s hopefully the whole plan.

“I see the tour in two parts: everything up to the Maori game and then everything post that. If we can go and play some good rugby and make people stand up and take a little bit of notice it’s going to create even more interest.

“Maybe when the 30,000 Lions supporters arrive and they do the poll again the number might go up. I’m hugely excited about it. I know everyone has written us off and that’s a nice position to be in.”

Ireland star Johnny Sexton has first refusal on the Lions’ No 10 shirt, but Gatland revealed the Leinster pivot needs a top performance this weekend.

“Johnny’s been great; he knows he needs to get some games under his belt,” said Gatland of Sexton.

“The three 10s came in together, but we felt Johnny needed to start this first game, get some rugby under his belt and get off to a good start – hopefully for the team but himself as well because he hasn’t played a huge amount. He knows that the competition is pretty fierce, but he’s a competitor and that’s what has made him one of the best 10s in world rugby.”

Gatland insists the Lions must prize winning tomorrow’s tour opener against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians over claiming a statement triumph. “The statement, first of all is a win,” said Gatland. “In 2009, we struggled in that first game.

“It will be hard. We will go out there and give a good performance. They will be hugely up for it and have half a dozen players who are involved in Super Rugby.”