Warren Gatland says his British & Irish Lions players are physically equipped to handle whatever New Zealand can throw at them on Saturday and will be disappointed if they now fail to win the series.
Gatland and his Lions are fully aware the All Blacks have not lost a Test at Eden Park since 1994 but, after a vigorous training session described as “tasty”, are not about to back down in the third Test. “We’re ready for it,” said the coach, who anticipates a full-frontal assault from a side who have not lost a series to the Lions since 1971. “There’s going to be an improvement in the All Blacks but it’s something we don’t think is going to be a shock to us.”
Among other things, the Lions Irish contingent, who went from beating New Zealand in Chicago to losing to the same opponents in a rugged encounter in Dublin a fortnight later, have been giving advice to their colleagues about what to expect. “Rory Best spoke earlier in the week about how the Irish felt they didn’t handle the physicality the All Blacks brought, even though they’d spoken about it,” Gatland said. “I think they’re going to try to dominate us up front, particularly in the tight five, to give some of their inexperienced backs some go forward. If they don’t get that advantage, it should make the game interesting.”
The captain, Sam Warburton, is predicting a “proper epic Test match” as New Zealand seek to bounce back from their 24-21 defeat in Wellington. “We definitely expect a reaction,” the flanker said. “You appreciate it’s going to be probably the biggest game we’ve played in but that’s what every sacrifice you’ve made since you were a young kid is all about.”
The Lions, who have re-selected the same match-day 23 involved in last Saturday’s victory, have advanced way beyond the point where a gallant series defeat would represent success. “I hope I don’t see that on Saturday night because that would be pretty disappointing,” said Gatland, who presided over a winning series in Australia four years ago.
“There’s a group of players there who are incredibly competitive and realise this is a massive opportunity to win a series in New Zealand. It doesn’t come round very often. The Irish players who played in Chicago know what it was like two weeks later; they’ve another chance to make sure they don’t get caught with their pants down.”
Gatland has upset photographers by cancelling vision access to the eve-of-game captain’s run but believes the squad have earned local respect in the past six weeks. “I think we’ve played some good rugby. People expected us to come here and kick the leather of it, drive every single lineout and try and scrummage people to death. We haven’t done that. We’ve played a good brand of rugby and people have been surprised and almost reluctant to give us credit for that.
“We’ve scored four tries and they’ve been four great tries. I’d like to think we’ll leave here with some respect for the way we have played and that will be reflected on Saturday. They’ve looked like they have picked a team initially to stop our defensive line speed and now to stop our 10-12 combination. They’ve changed their game-plan and style. I see that as a massive sign of respect of them to us. Hopefully we will leave on Saturday having earned the respect of the New Zealand public and secured the future of the Lions.”
Gatland has also urged the French referee Romain Poite and his fellow officials not to be taken aback if the Lions start exerting control. “We’ve got the confidence and self-belief to win this Saturday and win the series, so all we ask of them is to be open-minded, not to be surprised by us being in front and good enough to win. That’s an important message I am trying to deliver. If there are some 50-50 calls, be open-minded. I am not questioning their integrity or anything.”
