Hurricanes clash talking points

COURTNEY LAWES MUST BE CLOSE TO A TEST PLAC E – England lock Courtney Lawes is exactly the kind of physical player the Lions are potentially going to need in Saturday’s Test against world champions New Zealand. The All Blacks physically overpowered the Lions in Auckland last weekend, and it is an area they must get right this time around in their quest for a series-levelling victory. Second-row is a hugely competitive area for the Lions, and Lawes is unquestionably pushing hard.

IAIN HENDERSON’S YELLOW CARD SHOULD NOT COUNT AGAINST HIM –Like Lawes, Ireland forward Henderson is pushing hard for Test match-day squad inclusion, and there was nothing not to like about his display for most of the game. A late yellow card, though, cost his team dear after he was sin-binned for a dangerous ruck clear-out on Jordie Barrett, with the Hurricanes scoring two converted tries while he was off to fight back and draw the game. When Warren Gatland selects his second Test group, Henderson’s yellow should be history.

NOT A TIME TO BE CLOWNING AROUND – The New Zealand Herald’s cartoon depiction of Gatland in Tuesday’s paper proved another unwelcome distraction during what has become an increasingly tetchy approach to the Lions by some sections of the New Zealand media. Gatland laughed it off at his post-match press conference following the Hurricanes game, underlining how he is concentrated on serious business ahead of the second Test against the All Blacks. Whatever else is thrown at them this week, the Lions must stay calm.

LIONS’ MIDWEEK WARRIORS DESERVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE: It has not been easy for the Lions’ midweek team, losing two, drawing one and winning one of their four games, but a number of players consistently delivered the goods. Captain Rory Best led from the front and there were tireless contributions elsewhere – notably Scots Tommy Seymour and Greig Laidlaw, as well as Joe Marler, Dan Cole, James Haskell and Jack Nowell. Results did not work out, but for sheer effort, they could not be faulted.