>> Warburton must be a starter says Kronfeld
FORMER All Black openside star Josh Kronfeld believes Sam Warburton must start on the flank for the British & Irish Lions in their first Test clash with New Zealand.
Lions tour skipper Warburton has received no guarantees from head coach Warren Gatland that he will run out at Eden Park for the first meeting with Steve Hansens men on Saturday.
But Kronfeld, whose speed and superb contact area work saw him win 54 Test caps, believes Warburton is a man his country fear. Kronfeld told The Rugby
Paper: “I think the backrow has been the strongest part of the Lions’ game so far. They’re getting over the ball well and they’re creating opportunities for the backs.
“Sam has shown up well and been involved in every game he’s played. And he’s a true leader.
“He’s popped up with some big tackles at the right time and scored a try against the Highlanders. That’s the sign of a good player. He will lift himself again for the Tests because he always tends to for the big games. I think he could play at six or seven, either could be an option.”
Warburton faces back row competition from the likes of O’Brien, Peter O'Mahony and Justin Tipuric and started the New Zealand Maori clash on the bench.
Kronfeld, below, knows which combination he’d go for with Taulupe Faletau almost certain to start at No 8.
“Sean O’Brien was very good against Crusaders and that’s great because it brings competition,” he said. “He’s put his hand up so Sam at six and O’Brien at seven is an option, or vice versa.
“But from what I’ve seen of flankers in the Northern Hemisphere, I can’t go past Sam as No 1.” The Lions face their final warm-up fixture against Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton on Tuesday. The clock is ticking until Saturday’s first Test and Kronfeld says Gatland’s men must win in Auckland. Kronfeld, 45, added: “The contact area is going to be vital and I think there’s massive improvement to come from the Lions. That’s mostly in the outside backs.
“If the All Blacks scrape through in the first Test, I think they will improve hugely for the second and they will generate momentum and win that one more comfortably.
“So the Lions have to try and catch them cold early on. That’s their chance to unsettle the All Blacks and they have to take the opportunity.”
ALL BLACKS star Beauden Barrett insists he will be ready for the challenge of the British & Irish Lions’ ferocious defence in Saturday’s first Test at Eden Park.
Warren Gatland’s side have impressed with their line speed so far, despite struggling in attack and failing to string a run of results together.
Barrett will start Saturday’s first Test at Eden Park at fly-half and the 26-year-old says he will be ready for whatever the Lions throw at him.
He said: “The Lions have a very good defence and they obviously bring a lot of line speed. Teams have to adapt to that, and it’s a different style from what we are used to, but I enjoy a challenge.
“I’m expecting a good clash. Both teams will have their respective game plans, but what I’m expecting them to bring is plenty of intensity, we’ll be ready.”
Barrett, widely recognised as the world’s best player, helped New Zealand to a 78-0 thrashing of Samoa in Auckland. Worryingly for the Lions, he says he and his team can get even better.
“At times we were very sloppy,” Barrett said of the 12-try display. “We can improve in areas of our game like defence. That’s the exciting thing for us because there is a different beast around the corner.”