Isa: Tour schedule is brutal
ISA NACEWA says he wouldn’t fancy the “brutal” schedule facing the Lions in New Zealand. The Leinster skipper said: “Would I like to go down and play the Maoris, the five New Zealand franchises and three test matches in a row? No, it’s going to be a brutal tour. “It’s going to be very different to what the Lions faced in Australia and South Africa and New Zealand in 2005. “They played Manawatu Counties in 2005 and nearly scored 100 points. “That’s going to be very different to playing The Hurricanes, The Highlanders, The Chiefs, The Crusaders – teams on top of their game.” Nacewa lined out for his native Auckland against the Lions 12 years ago. “Ronan O’gara kicked a 45-metre goal from the sideline to down us,” he recalled. “We would’ve had a 10-year reunion for the rest of our lives if we had won that match.” Meanwhile, Munster boss Rassie Erasmus feels the All Blacks’ injury concerns gives Warren Gatland’s charges a good chance of pulling off a shock series win. World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett is the latest concern for All Blacks boss Steve Hansen following a head knock, an issue that also sidelined Dan Coles. Skipper Kieran Read, vice-captains Ben Smith and Jerome Kaino, Nehe Milner-skudder and Liam Squire were already rated as doubtful ahead of the first Test. “I think it’s 50-50,” said Erasmus. “You see the injuries they’re getting in key positions, that might change it and make it much easier for us.