TIME FOR ALUN WYN AND GEORGE NORTH TO FIRE UP THE LIONS
LIONS boss Warren Gatland has named a physical line-up for the huge clash with unbeaten Super Rugby leaders Crusaders in Christchurch.
Rugby Correspondent Andy Howell assesses the team coach Gatland has picked as the Lions bid to bounce back from their 22-16 defeat to the Blues in Auckland. STUART HOGG The Scotland full-back gave the impression of a player still jet-lagged as the Lions made hard work of beating the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in their tour opener.
He needs to concentrate for the 80 minutes, cut out the mistakes and get his famed after-burner working in attack. GEORGE NORTH Wales wing North makes his first appearance of the trip and has the opportunity to move ahead of the competition for a place on the wing against the All Blacks, if he can show the required expertise dealing with cross-kicks and opponents running at him. JONATHAN DAVIES It’s a massive game for the 2013 Lions ace with their midfield having failed to penetrate against the Blues.
Davies had struggled for form after being hit by injury but found it in recent weeks and has the bonus of partnering Ben Te’o at centre. BEN TE’O The New Zealand born former Australian rugby league star was among the few to shine against the Provincial Barbarians and his ability to do the basics and simple things well put him out front in the battle to wear No.12 in the Tests. LIAM WILLIAMS Needs to curb his indiscipline after being over-hyped for his Lions debut, coming off the bench and being sin-binned within a matter of minutes OWEN FARRELL Johnny Sexton’s indifferent form at outside-half and Dan Biggar suffering a concussion against the Blues means Farrell is in pole position to be Lions play-maker against the All Blacks.
The Englishman was decent off the bench against the Provincial Barbarians. Convince again and the No.10 jersey is his for the taking. CONOR MURRAY Making his first appearance of the tour, Ireland star Murray will have to respond with Rhys Webb having set down a marker in the early encounters. That said, the Lions’ kicking has been poor and his superiority will be vital against the Crusaders. MAKO VUNIPOLA Was a substitute in the tour opener and knows he has to impress against All Blacks tight-head Owen Franks during the clash with the Crusaders after Irishman Jack McGrath shone against the Blues with his scrummaging and work in the loose. JAMIE GEORGE Wales hooker Ken Owens put a hand up for Test selection with his display in Auckland and this is England reserve George’s chance to show he can do it from the start. An eyecatching display against the possible All Blacks Test front-row would catapult him up the rankings. TADHG FURLONG Favourite to start against the All Blacks, the Irish tight-head prop watched his rival Dan Cole scrummage strongly against the Blues and will be determined to better that in Christchurch as he takes on Joe Moody. GEORGE KRUIS Missed the Six Nations because of a knee injury and should be revved up to face New Zealand star Sam Whitelock and another All Black in Luke Romano during a fascinating battle of the boilerhouse. Shine and a Test place beckons. PETER O’MAHONY The Lions may need players who scrap for the ball and are a nuisance to the opposition to upset the Kiwi style of play and Ireland flanker O’Mahony is rough and tough.
He’s excellent in the line-out and strong over the ball at the breakdown. This is his big chance. SEAN O’BRIEN Wore No.7 in the decisive third rubber with Australia and was like ‘Robocop’ against France at the 2015 World Cup but numerous injuries means appearances have been sparse since and his form uncertain.
At his best he can be a human whirlwind and destructive force but it’s unclear whether he’s still possesses that dynamism. TAULUPE FALETAU The Wales star is ‘Mr Consistency’ and was a stand-out figure against the New Zealand Barbarians.
Being alongside scrappers in O’Brien and O’Mahony in the Lions back-row could give him the freedom to do damage with the ball as he hones in on a Test start.