All Blacks coach on why he does not fear defeat

Williams shakes off leg injury for deciding Test Hansen rolls the dice by overhauling back three

‘Some players are pretty upset not to be selected’

Warren Gatland has urged his players to “make Lions history” after putting his faith in an unchanged squad ahead of the Test series decider against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.

Gatland sent out a strong message in naming the first unchanged Lions squad of the professional era by claiming the 23 who salvaged the series with the 24-21 victory in Wellington last Saturday had earned the right to attempt to become the first touring side to defeat the All Blacks in a series since 1971.

Liam Williams, the only injury concern after missing training yesterday with a tightness in his leg, has been passed fit to start.

“It is not very often on a Lions tour that you get to pick the same 23 for the following game,” said Gatland, whose squad returned to Auckland last night after the rest and recuperation trip to Queenstown. “We felt we should reward the players for the result and the courage that they showed in coming from behind from 18-9 down, digging themselves out of a hole and then finishing strongly in that last 10 to 15 minutes.

“There are some players who are pretty disappointed not to be selected and I understand that. It is what you would expect from competitive top athletes, they back themselves.

“But we have stressed all along that this is not all about the 23 players but about everyone in the squad – they have put their disappointment behind them and are helping the match-day squad prepare the best they can for the Test match.”

That sense of continuity however was in stark contrast to the All Blacks camp, where head coach Steve Hansen has again had to reshuffle his line-up because of injury and suspension.

This week is appears that Hansen has been forced to roll the dice in selection terms by responding to the defeat in Wellington by dropping both his wings – Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo – in a surprise overhaul of his back three that includes a full debut for 20-year-old Jordie Barrett, the younger brother of fly-half Beauden.

The four-week ban for Sonny Bill Williams following his red card for a dangerous tackle on Anthony Watson in the second Test, also meant Hansen had to change his midfield, with Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape coming in for his first start.

Jordie Barrett’s selection at fullback allows Israel Dagg to move back to the right wing while Hansen also recalls Julian Savea, who was surprisingly omitted from the starting line-up for the first two Tests despite a scoring record of 46 tries in 53 Test matches.

If Hansen’s overhaul has a reactive feel to it, Gatland still expects his side to face the toughest examination yet of the 10-match tour but insists there is still more to come from the Lions.

“We are all aware of how big this game is and we are expecting a backlash from the All Blacks,” added Gatland. “But the pleasing thing about the second Test is just how strong we were in the last 10 or 15 minutes, in terms of energy and enthusiasm so we still feel there is another level in us.

“This is a huge chance for this group of players to show their abilities and reap the benefits of the work everyone has put in. It is their chance to make Lions history.”

Hansen’s selection will no doubt come under scrutiny but it remains a formidable-looking side, with an unchanged pack led by Kieran Read, who wins his 100th cap, becoming the seventh All Black to hit a century after Richie Mccaw, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Mills Muliaina.

Hansen, meanwhile, has criticised the delay in explaining why Sean O’brien escaped punishment for a ‘swinging arm’ tackle in the second Test.

“We don’t know why he got off. That’s not good for the game,” Hansen said. “Those things should be automatic.”