The British and Irish Lions got their tour of New Zealand back on track with an intense 12-3 victory over the Crusaders, arguably the strongest Kiwi Super Rugby outfit.
While their attack was still some way short of the mark – they failed to cross the try line – coach Warren Gatland would have been pleased with the intensity of their defensive effort and the accurate kicking of halves Conor Murray and Owen Farrell.
But there is no time to rest, as the next leg of this whirlwind tour takes them to Dunedin to play the Highlanders, the first Super Rugby opposition they will face who will not have All Blacks in the side.
That said, their side will contain some really talented players, like Marty Banks and Malakai Fekitoa, and the Lions will be hoping to maintain the momentum they so desperately need and found in Christchurch as the tour gets into its business end.
Captain Sam Warburton is a man under pressure as he seeks to build match fitness while also earning a spot in the test side on merit, as the performances of the likes of Sean O’Brien have seen calls for Warburton to not get a start in the first test in two weeks time. The Welsh captain makes his first return to the run-on side since the unconvincing opening match of the tour against the Provincial Barbarians.
Partnering Warburton in the back-row are James Haskell and CJ Stander. Haskell, who played one season of Super Rugby with the Highlanders back in 2012, got 50-odd minutes against the Blues last week, while Stander has been involved in each of the last two games. They will look to provide proper go-forward for the Lions with powerful carries.
Gatland has stuck to a few front-row combinations in the three matches on tour, and there is no chopping and changing happening any time soon as the English duo of Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler join Irish hooker Rory Best. This is the front row that started the match against the Barbarians and were on the bench against the Blues. ‘Fly-half killer’ Courtney Lawes and Iain Henderson start in the second row.
(Image: AAP Image/Ross Setford)
In the back the Welsh combination of Rhys Webb, who did not come off the bench in Christchurch, and Dan Biggar will look to stake their claim to a spot in the test side. Biggar got 35 minutes against the Blues before being taken off due to a head knock, while Webb played for nearly the entirety of that match without being too impressive.
The pair complements each other well, though, and were also part of the Welsh touring party to New Zealand in 2016, although their last outing at Forsyth Barr Stadium was a forgettable 46-6 thrashing by the All Blacks.
Gatland will hope the halves will be able to orchestrate a better attacking performance from the backs – the Lions have scored only two tries in three matches so far. He has gone for the power of Robbie Henshaw at inside centre coupled with the quick feet of Jonathan Joseph outside him, while the back three is made of Tommy Seymour, Jack Nowell and Kiwi lad Jared Payne, who becomes the third fullback of the tour.
The bench sees Ken Owens, Jack McGrath and Dan Cole all keep their bench spot from the Crusaders match, with another former Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones and compatriot Justin Tipuric rounding off the replacement forwards.
Greig Laidlaw will be keen to get a few minutes off the bench to impress Gatland, while Owen Farrell may get another outing to cement his spot as a shoe-in for the starting berth in Auckland in two weeks. Elliot Daly is the No. 23.
Prediction: The Lions to get another hard fought but slightly more comfortable victory. No more than three tries will be scored.
British and Irish Lions squad
15. Jared Payne
14. Jack Nowell
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Tommy Seymour
10. Dan Biggar
9. Rhys Webb
1. Joe Marler
2. Rory Best
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Courtney Lawes
5. Iain Henderson
6. James Haskell
7. Sam Warburton (captain)
8. CJ Stander
Replacements
16. Ken Owens
17. Jack McGrath
18. Dan Cole
19. Alun Wyn Jones
20. Justin Tipuric
21. Greig Laidlaw
22. Owen Farrell
23. Elliot Daly
Players to look out for are Sam Warburton, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb and Jared Payne.
Cuw
Guest
Haskell has the least chance of playing in a test unless half the guys are out. Not sure why they brought Nowell though. only AWJ is assured of a 2nd row position. Lawes has a good chance as any other.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Warburton us the lions greatest weakness.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Aghhh ... unfortunately, will miss the next 3 BIL's matches so hope someone will be blogging them (c'mon Diggercane!) so at least can be update after the event.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
I'd say out of this side, Stander has the best chance of actually getting a bench spot, and perhaps even a starting berth if O'Mahony or Faletau get injured. Henshaw too looks good but yeah it's a shame he's being used as a battering ram to play Warrenball. I just hope they do allow the Lions to play a bit more expansively but I'm not certain it will happen. Plus, even without their internationals the Highlanders won't be pushovers by any means.
Derm
Roar Guru
The attitude of the starting players in this squad can go one of two ways: a) My chance for a test spot is gone - I'm in the dirt trackers for the rest of the tour OR b) I'm gonna make Gatty sit up and take notice and at least get a bench spot for the first test and go on from there. You'd hope that they'd all be thinking about b) - probably some more than others. I reckon Best, Sinckler, Lawes, Stander, Haskell and Tipuric are all sitting on the outer for the forwards. And Nowell, Joseph, Henshaw, Biggar, Daly in the backs. It's likely that Webb, Warburton, Farrell, Owens, McGrath, Cole and Jones are already in the frame for start or bench. The most pleasing aspect of this selection is that they could surprise everyone with a backline that could go out and score some tries, if they're given a freer rein to cut loose from Farrell's defensive strictures or someone like Henshaw doesn't have to crash it up and instead use the skills he has from playing 13 and 15. Equally, players like Nowell, Joseph and Daly will want to prove a point. This could be a very enjoyable game since it's not a must-win but a nice to have. That might take the pressure off and allow the Lions players to go out, roam and strike.