Barbs flying as first Test nears
I’M HAPPY TO BE GETTING UP STEVE’S NOSE Hansen laughs off Lions coach’s latest comments.
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland couldn’t resist a dig at his All Blacks rival Steve Hansen yesterday, saying he was happy to be “getting up his nose”.
Gatland again called for a truce in the “trash talk” between the two sides ahead of tomorrow’s first Test – but slipped in one more jab while he was at it.
“If I’m getting up his nose, that’s a good position to be in,” the New Zealander said.
The build-up to the Test has been filled with taunts such as Hansen was “worried”, the All Blacks cheated, the Lions are too predictable and that Hansen had inside knowledge of what was going on in the Lions camp.
The All Blacks have named a strong side to face the Lions, including 12 of the starting side that thrashed Samoa 78-0 last week.
They also claim to have a plan to deal with the Lions’ defensive line speed – a key weapon in their artillery – but Gatland said he was not bothered by what Hansen was saying.
“I’m not worried about Steve at all. We’ve got ourselves to prepare and get ready for Saturday. We know it’s going to be a tough encounter,” he said.
Hansen dismissed Gatland’s claim that he was worried, describing himself as “pretty cool, calm and excited”, and told reporters he had not initiated any barbs at his opposite number.
“I haven’t had any conversations about Gats (Gatland). I’ve just answered the question you blokes have asked me. It would be a very boring press conference if I sat here and said nothing,” Hansen said.
“If you feel he’s here to prove something about himself then you’d probably better ask him,” he said, in answer to a question.
Gatland sprang a surprise by
Lions:
Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Conor Murray, Taulupe Faletau, Sean O’Brien, Peter O’Mahony (capt),George Kruis, Alun Wyn Jones, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola.
Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb, Johnny Sexton, Leigh Halfpenny.
Bench:
naming Peter O’Mahony as captain yesterday, replacing Sam Warburton who goes to the bench, while Hansen dropped prolific winger Julian Savea in favour of
New Zealand:
Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino,Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden/Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Bench:
emerging talent Rieko Ioane.
Tomorrow’s Test will take place at Auckland’s Eden Park, where the All Blacks are undefeated in 23 years. – AFP