SPORT Gatland ‘excited’ by shock Lions selection
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LIONS coach Warren Gatland last night named a shock team for the opening Test against New Zealand and promised his side will be courageous in their bid to topple the world champion All Blacks.
Wales star Liam Williams is the biggest surprise of all as he starts at fullback after impressing in the midweek team on Tuesday.
Leigh Halfpenny is only among the replacements, while George North fails to make the 23-man squad at all.
Tour captain Sam Warburton is also on the bench, with Irish flanker Peter O’Mahony leading the side in Auckland.
Williams is one of four Welshmen in the starting line-up, along with centre Jonathan Davies, No.8 Taulupe Faletau and Alun Wyn Jones, who has held off the challenge of Maro Itoje at lock.
Warburton and Halfpenny are joined on the bench by countrymen Ken Owens and Rhys Webb.
Owen Farrell has won his fitness battle to start at outside-half ahead of Jonathan Sexton, with Ben Te’o named at inside centre.
Gatland said: “We have picked a side based on form with a lot of players putting their hands up, especially from the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks games, and it was a lively selection meeting.
“The win against the Chiefs was also extremely important for the squad and some players played themselves into the side.
“We have continuously been strong at set-piece and have been good defensively in the last two or three outings. But to beat the All Blacks you have to be courageous and play some rugby - you have to score tries and I think we have picked a team capable of doing that. There is a nice balance there, while Peter captained the side against the Maori All Blacks and has done a good job.
Turning to the back three, he said: “Elliot has been very accurate in the way he has played and we saw some excellent attacking play from Liam on Tuesday night.
“We are excited about the 15 that take the field but also the very strong and experienced bench players who will have an impact.”
The Lions’ announcement came just hours after New Zealand coach Steve Hansen named a formidable-looking team boasting 788 caps between them.
Captain Kieran Read is back to lead the All Blacks, while Blues winger Rieko Ioane has ousted Julian Savea on the wing.
Hansen said: “We know this is a very good British and Irish Lions team; probably one of the best to have toured here. It’ll be a battle of contrasting styles which makes it an intriguing Test to prepare for and to be part of.“
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