All Blacks lead by 30 wins to six

The teams have met on 39 occasions. New Zealand lead the series 30-6, with three draws.

New Zealand’s record win in the series was a 38-6 victory at Eden Park, Auckland in 1983, while the Lions boast a best of 20-7 in Wellington 24 years ago.

The last drawn Test match between New Zealand and the Lions produced a 14-14 scoreline in 1971.

New Zealand have won seven of the 10 Tests they have played against the Lions in Wellington, with one draw and two Lions victories in 1971 and 1993.

The Lions are currently 1-0 down in the Test series. Only twice before - in 1899 and 1989 have they fought back to win a series from that position.

New Zealand have not lost a Test match on home soil since South Africa beat them in Hamilton eight years ago.

Three players Courtney Lawes, CJ Stander and Jack Nowell - will make their Lions Test debuts if they appear off the replacements’ bench .

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick has a 93% win rate in his Test career, playing 62 times for New Zealand and being victorious 58 times, with two draws and two defeats.

The Lions have not beaten New Zealand since 1993. Ireland played England) last time! We get on great.

“I was asked whether it was the biggest challenge of my career to try to get ahead of Owen, and because of the respect I have for him I said yes.

“He is a world-class outside-half. But I back myself, and hopefully I can bring something to the team this week that will get us over the line.

“I’ve a big respect for him and we have a good relationship, so hopefully we can click and make the team play better on Saturday and level the series.”

Sexton, meanwhile, was spoken to by referee Jaco Peyper during the first Test for waving his arms at the officials after a penalty was awarded.

“Things happen in the heat of battle where you wave your arms,” Sexton said.

“What I said to him (referee) after the game was that it’s an instinctive thing to wave your arms, and what I said to the ref wasn’t out of order or anything like that.

“But everything has got to go through Sam (Lions captain Sam Warburton) this week. Sam seems to have a really good relationship with the refs, especially when he plays for Wales.”

All Blacks number eight Kieran Read meanwhile insists the Lions’ future is not in doubt – no matter the result in Wellington.

The Lions’ very future came under scrutiny in 2005 when Sir Clive Woodward’s men were whitewashed 3-0 on the last trip to New Zealand.

Sir Ian McGeechan and Warren Gatland have rebuilt the famed touring side’s reputation and standing ever since, but rugby’s congested global calendar has continued to threaten the Lions’ place in the world game.

The Lions are continuing to push for extra preparation time in the final weeks leading up to future tours amid tensions over the global schedule to follow the 2019 World Cup.

Asked if a tough series for the Lions could jeopardise their future, Read replied: “I don’t think that will happen. It’s just been so exciting being around the country the last couple of weeks.

“It’s been awesome, the Lions are so passionate about the game and I’m sure it will continue.”

Teams for New Zealand versus the British and Irish Lions (8.35am BST).

New Zealand: I Dagg; W Naholo, A Lienert-Brown, S B Williams, R Ioane; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).

Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, N Laumape.

British and Irish Lions: L Williams (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), O Farrell (England), E Daly (England); J Sexton (Ireland), C Murray (Ireland); M Vunipola (England), J George (England), T Furlong (Ireland), M Itoje (England), A W Jones (Wales), S Warburton (Wales, capt), S O’Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), C Lawes (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), R Webb (Wales), B Te’o (England), J Nowell (England).