Sam Warburton returns to captain the British and Irish Lions, in the second match of the series against New Zealand, this Saturday at 8.30 am.
Warburton replaces Peter O’Mahony, who drops out of the Test squad entirely.
Warburton is joined in the back row by Taulupe Faletau and Sean O’Brien, with CJ Stander taking a spot on the bench. Stander played well in the Lions mid-week draw against the Hurricanes, with Lions coach Warren Gatland believing that Stander offers more options as a ball-carrier than O’Mahony.
It’s quite a come down for O’Mahony, who goes from captaining the team to dropping out of the 23 entirely. While O’Mahony didn’t have his usual dynamic performance in last week’s Test, Warburton hasn’t reached his usual heights either on tour.
Mario Itoje joins Alun Wyn-Jones in the second row, with Courtney Lawes on the bench. George Kruis is dropped from the Test squad. Jones keeps his place though the pace of the game seemed beyond him at times in last week’s Test.
Iain Henderson played very well in the Hurricanes game, but his yellow card in that match seems to have counted against him. Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Tadhg Furlong retain their places from last week in the front row, with Ken Owens, Kyle Sinkler and Jack McGrath on the bench.
George played well last week, while Vunipola and Furlong didn’t have their usual affect on the game.
Jonny Sexton starts at out-half, joined by his Ireland colleague, Conor Murray at scrum-half. Owen Farrell moves to centre, with Ben Te’o dropping to the bench. The Sexton-Farrell combination is one that has been talked about since day one for the Lions. The two played together in last week’s Test but were unable to have much of an effect on the outcome of the game.
Te’o is unlucky to lose his place as he did a great job of keeping Sonny Bill Wiliams under wraps in last week’s Test. Farrell has a very tough job of containing Williams, who can be one of the most destructive runners in the game.
Jonathan Davies retains his place at centre, as do the back three of Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson and Jim Williams. Davies and Williams played very well against the All Blacks last Saturday, while Watson and Daly had good games but were caught out in defence on occasion, and failed to complete try-scoring opportunities.
Jack Nowell is picked on the bench, ahead of Tommy Seymour, who scored two tries in the draw against the Hurricanes. Leigh Halfpenny would have been an option, if only for his goal-kicking. George North and Robbie Henshaw have been ruled out of the rest of the tour after getting injured in the Hurricanes clash. It’s unlucky for both players but neither had lived up to their pre-tour billing.
It’s do or die for the British and Irish Lions. If they win this Test, they still have a chance to win the series. Lose and they’re simply playing for pride and to avoid the ignominy of being whitewashed. They will need to tighten up their defensive game, and be more clinical in their attack.
(AP Photo/Mark Baker)
It’s also crunch time for Warren Gatland. The coach has been receiving a lot of flak from all sides, with it increasing after the draw against the Hurricanes. The Lions were leading, 23-7 at half-time and 31-17, ten minutes before the end. Then, Henderson was yellow carded and the Hurricanes scored two converted tries in his absence and the game finished 31-all.
Gatland refused to use any of the substitutes he had called out, claiming that to do so would ‘devalue the jersey even further’, which meant that the Lions players had to remain on the pitch for the full 80 minutes of the game.
In the modern game it is important to be able to call on all 23 players. Not using those players was disrespectful to them and shows a lack of faith in his own judgement. If he wasn’t going to use them he shouldn’t have called them out in the first place.
Gatland has said a lot about the importance of the Test series, and every decision he’s made has been based on that. Now, he has to deliver.
The All Blacks have said that they expect a backlash from the Lions but will be prepared. They have made three changes to the team that beat the Lions, 30-15, last week. Two changes are injury related, while one is positional.
Ben Smith, was injured in that Test, so Israel Dagg moves from wing, where he played last week, to fullback. Waisake Naholo comes on to the wing. Naholo helped the Highlanders to a 23-22 win over the Lions. He will want to repeat his great form for that game.
Codie Taylor, who played in the Hurricanes draw against the Lions on Tuesday, replaces the injured Ryan Crotty at centre.
Rick Page
Guest
Putting aside the result, the Lions would be the more disappointed team in their play after the first test. They overrated their wins v Maori and Crusaders and underestimated the full throttle physicality the AB’s bring when they have to. No doubt the Lions had better defensive structure than the AB’s that night but AB’s will have worked on that, so forget more end to end tries or expansive Lions play, or if they try, they’ll be at risk of overestimating their ability to ‘play what’s in front of them’ Their instinctual game is defence oriented, mistake adverse and risk averse. I think they’ll kick a lot, given the likely windy, rainy conditions plus having both Sexton and Farrell as well as Murray, it’s a probable advantage they have over the AB’s, though they may find it harder to get it right, unused to the Wellington wind at that swirly stadium. What they might not expect, is the AB’s may well do the same, Barrett’s/Perenara’s home ground, testing Williams especially, plus skiddy grubbers along the ground in the wet, for their pacy wingers to chase onto. Dagg’s long boot from the back is gonna help with territory, forget the idle force back nothing kicks the super teams played . The AB’s lineout should be more accurate after the last outing though spring heeled and big hearted Itoje could be a real handful all over the park, scrums pretty even this time, given the French referee. SBW running hard at the defensive line again makes sense especially with Teo on bench. Aggressive AB clean out to keep Warburton/OBrien off the ball. Lions had been so good on tour slowing down breakdown ball but failed in first test, so you’d expect they’ll be working hard improving on that. Extremely physical again, with the AB’s having the better go forward, line benders and breakers overall imo and the finishing skills in taking their chances to seal the series.
Jacko
Guest
Yes i come on rugby sites looking for Drongo's to stalk....FOUND ONE lol
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Ok one more from Finbar He says that the game Munster won v All Blacks was apparently attended by approx 250,000 people ... all in a stadium of 12,000 capacity, but says he is one of only two Munster supporters who admit they were NOT there that day... 1978 Munster 12 b NZ 0 Oh, and he's met Doug Howlett and thinks he's a top bloke I'm enjoying this.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
RT, its not so bad, am in the Lions fanzone now, no rain, minimal wind, though of course can change several times in Wellington over next 7hrs ... and 31kmh forecast is outside, not so much inside stadium Fans ... I'm with Finbar from Munster, on his third consecutive Lions tour SA, Australia, NZ, camper vans and red jackets everywhere Visit the DHL Dome to see a collection of trophies, Bledisloe included, music and food it's a great time to be here And one wish from Finbar, and I'd agree, hopes whatever the result it's not one that hinges on an incorrect official's decision...that fans complain about endlessly...too much to ask?
Waxhead
Guest
ah the squad picked by Gatland for Test 2 is inferior to that for the 1st Test imo. And Gatland is showing Welsh favouritism also. Warburton is no better then O'Mahony at breakdown. Warburton has been consistently beaten at breakdown by every southern hemisphere back rower past 7 yrs. Jones retained at lock shows Welsh favouritism - he was a real weakness in 1st Test. Farrel in for Teo - big mistake. Gatland says that will improve the attack - I think it does the opposite. Farrell (as usual) was a total dud in 1st Test except for kicking goals. Teo is way better in both attack & defense & Lions don't need Farrel for his goal kicking. I expect Sonny Bill will have a great day out now. ABs by 20 again imo
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Ugghh ... weather is not brilliant but lets see what what its like this evening ... will hit the road shortly to get into town from Lower Hutt to see if we can improve the Wellington economy somewhat before we go to the game ... Looking forward to the game this evening but weather forecast (according to iphone weather!) is 80% chance of rain, temperature of 10 degrees C and 31 km winds from the north. BIL's game plan will be interesting in concert with the weather forecast. I'm sure there will be some high testing balls, particularly down both wings early to see how Naholo and Ioane handle them ... Dagg at the back I expect to be safe. Equally interesting will be the forward battle which from all accounts is likely to be brutal ... I for one, do not underestimate the BIL ... but ..... GO ALL BLACKS!!!!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well it does seem many came here with reputations of the best this and that, Itoje and Murray in some eyes the best in their positions. Hit the tests and all that talk seems to vanish...
taylorman
Roar Guru
I guess they think they'll kick when Murray's off the field nursing his knee? Frankly, and in hindsight, this selection is a good one. Everyone thinks between the three of them they're going to keep the ball in the air and to the corners all day. But the outside backs selection doesn't reflect a chase game so this pairing also has a ball in hand look to it, though the weather, a sudden change in gameplan is hardly a Gatland trait. But desperation to change things up for a Kiwi in his real last chance to impress other kiwis can probably do that to a bloke.?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Plus the 100 meter one and you have 30-3, they're nit going to score those every test.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Hansen said in the end they wanted Barrett running the ship so the rest became a no brainer. They did consider Cruden at 10.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
He will get caned....
The Doc
Roar Guru
Nice read declan. Interested to see AJW left in starting lineup which makes me think he is the primary lineout caller and perhaps better served using him as a starter (as he is less of an 'impact player). I called for (as many before me have) lawes to partner itoje but perhaps that would upset the combinations too much. Sam warBurton is a great choice- lions must slow the ball at the breakdown and I doubt fitness is an issue. It is always useful IMO to have an additional playmaker at 12 which Farrell gives. I wouldn't write Farrell off completely- no 5/8 looks any good when your forward pack is always getting caught behind the gainline. Glad to see CJ stander included too- strong defence and a good ball runner to come on for faletau
Fionn
Guest
That's true. Touché.
markie362
Guest
Hows sexton/farrell going to kick when the halfback box kicks all day
Harry Jones
Expert
Stander brings the same thing every time: industry, over-the-gainline carries and tackles, and mongrel. Exactly what Lions need. Not sure Sam can beat Sam...
QED
Guest
The concept of B&ILs is inherently flawed. It only works as an interesting sporting spectacle if you start with the premise that one SH team is at least equal to or better than four NH 'home nations'. Otherwise why would people watch ? Consider if this current tour was against Australia. Why would it be interesting to see an English team that has just beaten the Wallabies four times in a row enhanced by the best players of three other nations play them ? Where would be the enjoyment seeing the B&ILs win the mid week games against our current SR teams and then put +30 wins on the Wallabies and win the series 3 zip ? Conversely if I was watching the All Blacks or the Boks thumping Sarecens or Toulon why would that be something to cheer about ? However the BIls supporters have paid good money to fly half way around the world to see their team beat the Crusaders and lose no less to the Blues. Should it not be a for gone conclusion ? Again it only works because since 1987 SH teams have won 7/8 world cups and the BILs have only won 9/22 matches and won 3/7 series. Lets not even imagine what the score board would look like if over the same period NZ/SA/Aus had put together a team every four years and played the 'home nations' individually It is supposed to be the highest honour in NH rugby to be selected as a BIL. "You are the best of the best " oh except for all those other players south of the equator.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
learned input - if you be with the force, they be with us some time yet kp
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
these comments on article all too much - am gonna have a heart attack from laughin
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Breaking news from Reuters: “In a radical move to make the upcoming second test of the British & Irish Lions series more of a contest, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has this morning announced that his side will play in reverse order. That is, Israel Dagg will pack down at loosehead with Rieko Ioane at hooker and Anton Leinert-Brown at tighthead, and so on in that fashion. to be fair, this should apply to all tests for coming Rugby Championships!
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
i thought codie taylor was a hooker?