Lions critics laughed at

Alun Wyn Jones has insisted the British and Irish Lions will laugh off all the brickbats over their punishing schedule and Test series chances in New Zealand.

Outside voices have lined up to criticise the Lions’ 10-match touring plan in New Zealand, with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen claiming he would never have accepted the blueprint.

Wales lock Jones maintained Warren Gatland’s men are not stung by any of that flak.

Asked if it was time for the criticism to stop, Jones replied: “We could say yes but people always have their opinion.

“It gives us a lot to laugh about. I think for the most part people are saying things out of concern.” on their home patch they’d be much better looking at the Irish and English. Ireland’s historic victory over New Zealand in Chicago last year should be the template.

Ireland won for three specific reasons – the injury absence of New Zealand’s outstanding first choice second rows Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, an aerial game which caused New Zealand fits, and an overall attacking philosophy.

Ireland proved that if you’re going to beat New Zealand you better score some points. Even in defeat, the All Blacks scored 29. Thirty points a game is an absolute bottom line for the Lions, and “Warrenball” – bashing around the corner off rucks, waiting for penalties at the breakdown and having Leigh Halfpenny boot five of them – isn’t going to cut it.

There’s a belief that since the World Cup two years ago, when Southern Hemisphere teams made up all the semi-finalists (with a help from Craig Joubert obviously) the gap between the hemispheres has closed, and it has, up to point.

South Africa and Australia are no longer as formidable as they were even two years ago. The Springboks were humiliated by Italy last November and Australia lost a home series to England 3-0.

New Zealand, on the other hand, are arguably even more of a threat. Far from diminishing with the retiral of so many key figures after the last World Cup, New Zealand rugby this season seems re-invigorated.

In Super Rugby this season the New Zealand teams have been absolutely dominant. In Beauden Barrett they think they have the true heir to Dan Carter, but it is the All Black machine – where the system is so much more than the quality of its parts – that has continued without a blip despite the retiral of Carter, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu and the peerless Richie McCaw.

The Lions counter with (mostly) England’s well-drilled setpiece, Ireland’s half-backs and aerial game and the Northern Hemisphere’s best playmaker, Owen Farrell. Stuart Hogg is Europe’s best running attacker, and this could be a pivotal series in the young Scot’s already outstanding career.

If he gets the ball, that is, or if he gets a game. The Lions may opt for playing percentages, the usual pressuring “Warrenball” style and Hogg may be an attacking luxury too far. Hopefully gambling instincts will prevail. The Lions won’t be able to smother the All Blacks; in order to stay relevant, they must thrill and entertain us.