TBREHUTGEFBORYPEE/DNLCIOUNPS TOUR

Gatland’s men must start building momentum but in-form Crusaders are daunting rivals

The British and Irish Lions will face a major reality check and a test of their tenacity and philosophy when they play the unbeaten Crusaders in the third match of their New Zealand tour today.

That philosophy is most often expressed by coach Warren Gatland, and two of its main tenets are that it doesn’t matter how many provincial matches the Lions lose as long as they win the Test matches and that Super Rugby teams are of similar strength to the All Blacks.

Both statements raised eyebrows in Gatland’s native New Zealand. It seems possible that Gatland believes the first as an article of faith, but even All Blacks coach Steve Hansen doubts he believes the second.

After naming a powerful squad for the three-test series, Hansen said that in comparing Super Rugby franchises with the All Blacks, Gatland might be kidding.

Gatland, pictured right, had told reporters, “I don’t think there will be a lot of difference between some Super Rugby sides and the All Blacks. These guys have been together seven months and the All Blacks are coming together cold.”

Hansen responded by saying “I just think he’s probably trying to take a bit of humour after struggling a bit with his press conference before that”.

The Crusaders line-up the Lions will face in Christchurch will certainly be formidable, possibly the toughest opponent the tourists will