The ‘Unofficial Fourth Test’ is almost upon us and given the timing of the match and the results achieved thus far Saturday's game is a big 'un. While 'big 'un' may not be the most techincal or formal adjective in the world, it does sum up the importance match perfectly.
Those selected on Saturday must deliver a performance and result that can build momentum into the crucial opening Test. Once the full time whistle is blown on Saturday the vast majority of the XV and bench playing will be rested for the first Test at Eden Park. Therefore their actions and emotion at full time will be the ones that carry on into Test preparations. Needless to say Tuesday's result against the Chiefs won’t be the one that provides the go-forward into the first Test it will be Saturday’s. Warren Gatland has already made it clear that he’s likely to bring in reinforcements for the Chiefs game and in a similar manner to 2013 that match will stand alone and be treated in isolation to the Test ahead.
So what of Saturday's game? Where must the Lions focus their attentions? Well first and foremost the Lions' kicking game has to be first class. With the strength of the Maori All Blacks’ back-line and their counter punching ability loose kicks will be punished with tries. Yes, this is stating the bleeding obvious however it needs to be said because it will be such an important area of the game. Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton know how to run matches and must show the composure and nous required to prevail. The same should be said for Leigh Halfpenny and the back three pendulum - all three are experienced internationals and they must play like it.
Equally the British & Irish Lions’ pack must dominate and also highlight the fruits of their experience. In that area the touring party could have a distinct advantage over the Maori All Blacks if they paint the right pictures to the referee and put their technique and power to sound use. The set piece has been a hotly discussed topic this week and ensuring that the Lions are clear about what Jaco Peyper expects and that they react to him during the game will be another fundamental element to the game.
Equally the British & Irish Lions’ pack must dominate and also highlight the fruits of their experience. In that area the touring party could have a distinct advantage over the Maori All Blacks if they paint the right pictures to the referee and put their technique and power to sound use. The set piece has been a hotly discussed topic this week and ensuring that the Lions are clear about what Jaco Peyper expects and that they react to him during the game will be another fundamental element to the game.
Two other areas will be vital. Surprise, surprise they’re no different to the ones that we were discussing before the Crusaders’ game. Discipline and being clinical in the red zone will be key factors. Any interpretation issues with regard to the Jaco Peyper’s views surrounding the breakdown as well as at the set piece must be nailed. Second, when the Lions are in the red zone they simply have to score. Ben Smith’s first half counter which ended with Beauden Barrett’s try is the type of sharpness that the Lions have to show - it cannot be reserved solely for the All Blacks. By hook or by crook those key moments in red zone must be converted into points, if not every time, eight or nine out of ten times.
If we look beyond this game then New Zealand’s outing against Samoa reinforced the challenge that’s on the horizon. A small amount of All Black rust was evident early on however that quickly vanished. After Steve Hansen wasn’t backwards about coming forwards and upped the verbal jousting stakes considerably during his press conference;
“Do I expect them to do something different tomorrow night? Well he [Warren Gatland] keeps telling us he’s got something up his sleeve other than his arm, so we’ll wait and see, won’t we?
“I’ve always said that once you have a style as a coach you usually stick with it, so it’s going to be a big move if he changes. We’ll wait and see. I look forward to it.”
These are the words that you expect from the Kiwi head coach at this point and now it’s up to the Lions to respond. Warren Gatland may choose to have a little jibe back in a forthcoming press conference or he may just leave it and not give the comments any time of day. Either way it’s up to his side to silence Steve Hansen on the field on the 24th. The Maori All Blacks match can take a step towards doing that and then proof will be in the pudding at Eden Park in eight days time.
In my book a successful day on Saturday would see certain individuals pressing on and as collective the Lions exerting themselves on a team that hasn’t been together for long. Partnerships and combinations must thrive; the Lions’ back row have to show that they’re a cohesive and destructive unit, the back three need to threaten constantly - including Leigh Halfpenny - and the set piece must be a rock solid platform and a source of power.
The Maori All Blacks are filled with outstanding individuals and some that we’ll see a lot more of next season in the European competition with James Lowe joining Leinster and Tawera Kerr-Barlow on his way to La Rochelle. There’s no question that it’s a back-line that could make defences look stupid and the Lions must fire defensively without the vocal and physical presence of Owen Farrell on the field.
I will start and finish this article in exactly the same place and that's by saying that this British & Irish Lions squad must put a performance on the park that makes a statement. It's close to a Test team and they must perform like one in order to take true momentum into next week. Will they? We'll have to wait and see.
British & Irish Lions: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Ben Te'o, 11 George North, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Sam Warburton, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Elliot Daly.
Maori All Blacks: 15 James Lowe, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 1 Kane Hames, 2 Ash Dixon (c), 3 Ben May, 4 Joe Wheeler, 5 Tom Franklin, 6 Akira Ioane, 7 Elliot Dixon, 8 Liam Messam. Replacements: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Leighton Price, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Rob Thompson.
