Gatland calls for greater physicality
THE decision to start British and Irish Lions tour captain Sam Warburton in tomorrow’s crucial second test is a reflection of coach Warren Gatland’s desire to attack the breakdown more and match the physicality of the All Blacks.
Warburton was not included in the starting side for last week’s 30-15 firsttest loss at Eden Park, with Sean O’Brien preferred at openside flanker and Peter O’Mahony leading the side from the blind side of the scrum.
However, after being targeted in close by the All Blacks, the Lions saw their impressive defensive line speed out wide throttled and they lost the collisions, prompting Gatland to demand a greater physicality tomorrow.
The match at the Wellington Regional Stadium is crucial for the visitors, who must win it if they are to retain any hope of becoming just the second Lions side to achieve a series victory against the All Blacks.
While the world champions out-muscled the Lions last week, the visitors put them under sustained pressure for long periods and created numerous opportunities, but were unable to finish them off, an issue that has bothered them throughout the tour.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has stuck with a pack who were impressive last week and beefed up the physicality of his midfield with Anton LienertBrown elevated from the bench, for the injured Ryan Grotty, to join Sonny Bill Williams.
Israel Dagg has moved to fullback from the wing to replace Ben Smith, who is out of the series with a concussion, leaving Beauden Barrett to run the side at flyhalf after he shifted back to replace Smith last week.
Hansen also said yesterday that the media needed to stop ridiculing Gatland and disputed any suggestion of animosity between the pair.
He also refused to engage in a war of words with journalists over potentially dangerous play by Lions players in the first test, describing rugby as a big boy’s game.
The Lions tour of New Zealand has been filled with barbs from both sides, with Hansen variously calling Gatland desperate and predictable while the Lions coach has claimed that he had Hansen worried and accused the All Blacks of deliberate foul play.