Lions tour diary

Quote of the day:

‘‘I heard over the weekend that he just got engaged, I’d just like to congratulate him on his proposal. I don’t think it was a traditional proposal, I think he was out whitebaiting and the ring was offered on the back of the ute, in typical Stephen Donald fashion.’’

Warren Gatland adds to the treasured tales about the man they call Beaver, Chiefs first-five Stephen Donald. View from the North:

‘‘Make no mistake, if the Lions can do the same to the All Blacks in the first test on Saturday they will pose the Kiwis a lot of problems. No team look good having to play on the back foot. If the Lions can find the support lines to turn line breaks into tries, they might just beat the All Blacks. If they do not score those tries but do maintain discipline and do not give away penalties, they might kick their way to victory in a tight match.’’

Former England hooker Brian Moore says victory over the Lions is a pointer to the first test. Bet of the day: Elliot Daly to score a try at $2.60.

Lions wing He’s a bit of class, fast and tricky. In what promises to be an open game, the ball should find its way to Daly, or he’ll go get it.

Look out for: The Lions bench.

Drafted in from the Welsh team in Auckland, and the Scots in Sydney, will they get on with their team-mates, will they get on the field? Probably. And are they worthy of a Lions jersey, or has their selection devalued it. Watch this space.

Man of the moment: Beaver.

It has to be the So much so that Warren Gatland has already singled him out at pre-match discussions. Can the Chiefs No 10 trick the Lions defence with his show-and-good, are they suckers for the dummy pass.