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As anticipation levels rise for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour, t Blacks share their thoughts on what we can expect to unfold, reports LI
KEVEN MEALAMU
Q. Who will win the three test series and why?
I think it will be a competitive series between two stacked teams but home advantage swings it in our favour. Without being cocky I’d like to say we win the series but it could be 1-1 after the second test.
Q. Name a Lions player to look out for.
Being a hooker myself and watched him play for the last couple of years someone like Rory Best. He’s a world-class player but the deeds he does on the field inspires the people around him. I’m looking forward to seeing his match-up with Dane Coles. Dane has been in such great form the last couple of years so that will be a personal interest for me to watch them go at it.
Q. Will the taxing 10-match Lions schedule be a help or hindrance?
It will help them be test match prepared. Some of the Super games will feature All Blacks, some won’t. But they’ll all be huge games. The depth of all those teams are really strong and it will be awesome to watch those guys step up. That will mean the Lions will be match hardened. It also gives them a chance to bring their team culture together really quickly. Because they’ve come together from the four unions those games are going to be really handy for them to work on combinations.
Q. Where will the All Blacks attack the Lions?
Without being disrespectful, being able to get our game going quickly is important. In the past we’ve been known to start the first test a little bit slower than usual. We’ll have to make sure that first test is good quality because they’ll be at that level.
Q. Is there any room for an uncapped All Black to make his debut?
There is the potential to bring some new players through. Usually in big series like this the guys that are tried and true and have always done the job, they will go with. But what better place to blood some young talent? I still remember Luke McAlister [2005] in the third test getting his chance and seeing him grow. It just depends on how well they track early. MURRAY MEXTED
Q. Who will win the three test series and why?
The All Blacks will win the series and the reason is they’re already a team. They’ve developed through two World Cup campaigns. Even through attrition and retirements we seem to have found replacements and the team is relentlessly marching on. Warren Gatland has to bring four nations together in a short period of time and will be under pressure from the first game. That means he’s going to have to have better individuals to have any chance and I’m not sure he’s got those. Often in Lions tours players who do well in the northern hemisphere don’t front Down Under. Unless we get complacent, and I can’t see us doing that, the All Blacks will win. If the referee lets the game flow I’d like to think we’ve got the ability to beat them 3-0.
Q. Name a Lions player to look out for.
If you asked that with the All Blacks I could name five off the top of my head but with the Lions I’m battling to come up with an X-factor player that I think will shine over here.
Q. Will the taxing 10-match Lions schedule be a help or hindrance?
Definitely a help. The way you build better players is playing in a high level competition. Super Rugby is an example of that at the moment. The New Zealand players are getting better by playing each other. The South African and Australian players aren’t playing against the same level each week and those teams aren’t growing in the same way. A lot of Lions players will be found out against our Super franchises, and the first test will be a very different team to the third test Gatland selects. There will be guys that will come through and grow and show character that hasn’t necessarily been seen in their home environment. I’m expecting the competition to be very good individually for the Lions players and as a team, too.
Q. Where will the All Blacks attack the Lions?
The All Blacks know the game they are playing and they won’t change. That’s all about identifying where the opportunity is irrespective of where you are on the field. The mobility of our forwards and skill level of passing before the tackle, post tackle and during the tackle is where we have an edge in technical skills. We don’t have to wait for contact – we just give a little pass and have already drawn two players.
Q. Is there any room for an uncapped All Black to make his debut?
I see that in the midfield. There’s an opportunity there for someone to come through and stamp their mark because at the moment they’re wide open, aren’t they? In the loose forwards, you might also see someone come through as the new breed.
The All Blacks will win the series and the reason is they’re already a team.’ MURRAY MEXTED
STEVEN BATES
Q. Who will win the three test series and why?
It’s hard to go past the All