WHO ARE OUR EXPERTS BACKING?

Sir Ian Mcgeechan Gatland has picked a team to win the match and I believe they can. Their set-piece and defence will take time and space away from New Zealand. NZ 18 Lions 23

Will Greenwood

I need Michael Fish now more than ever. I can’t remember a Test where I am so convinced the result will be determined by the weather. If it is wet: NZ 18

Lions 21. If dry, NZ 28 Lions 20

Mick Cleary

That Eden Park record has to fall some day and this could be that day. The Lions have selected well, they have pace, forward heft and a goal-kicker in Owen Farrell. NZ 22 Lions 23

Paul Hayward

The Lions have performed well defensively but set-piece pressure, gain-line tackling and box kicking are unlikely to smother New Zealand for 80 minutes. NZ 28 Lions 15

Brian Moore

More from heart than head – Lions to smother the Kiwis defensively and force the sort of mistakes even the world’s best make under pressure. NZ 17 Lions 20

Austin Healey

If the weather is awful – as it’s predicted to be – then I think the Lions will get close but lose by

six points. If it’s dry, though, I

think New Zealand will win by 21 points.

Adam Jones

I think the Lions will scare the All Blacks by scoring a few more tries than they expect us to. The problem is they have the ability to mount a comeback and sneak a draw. NZ 24 Lions 24

Gavin Mairs

The first Test is the Lions’ best chance to beat the All Blacks, who have had just one game together. The Lions are battlehardened and remain largely injury-free. NZ 18 Lions 20

Maggie Alphonsi

New Zealand looked frighteningly good against Samoa but the Lions are battle-hardened. They have been excellent in their last two games. NZ 15 Lions 17

Charlie Morgan

It feels like now or never as New Zealand will not be at their sharpest until later in the series. Take a couple of try-scoring chances and the Lions can do it. NZ 24 Lions 28