Lions look for more grunt upfront in second test
wellington — Warren Gatland coach wants more physicality from his British and Irish Lions in this weekend’s second test against the All Blacks and that desire looks likely to inform his selection for a match they need to win to keep the series alive.
The All Blacks forwards won the battle of the breakdown in their 3015 first test victory at Eden Park last weekend and a disappointing showing from Welshman Alun Wyn Jones means an overhaul of the Lions second row is likely.
Maro Itoje is expected to start after bringing his usual energy when he came off the bench in Auckland and strong performances from Courtney Lawes and Iain Henderson against the Wellington Hurricanes added more alternatives to the mix.
The locking pair impressed Gatland both in contact as well as with the ball in hand in the 31-31 draw with the Super Rugby champions on Tuesday, the final midweek match of the tour.
“I thought Courtney Lawes carried well in the first half,” Gatland, who names his second test side on Thursday, told reporters.
“Lock is a position right from the start that we knew we had a lot of strength in. Those two guys had really strong games ... to give us some food for thought. It will be a toss up in terms of selection.”
Henderson possibly blotted his copybook when he was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Jordie Barrett, which allowed the Hurricanes to storm back from 3117 down. That ill discipline could count against the Ulsterman and Lawes coming off in the 54th minute could be a sign that Gatland had seen enough to include him in his second test squad. —