Power Pack

Just as they did in Christchurch the Lions demonstrated this morning that it is possible to squeeze a NZ team renowned for their running ability.

The conditions were perfect for the pack to dominate the set piece and Warren Gatland will be pleased with the 23 he has in mind for the test series. He will also be hoping for rain in Auckland.

The finishing off of chances still lacks precision though and it will need more than a shedload of points from Leigh Halfpenny to put the All Blacks away.

Incidentally I don’t think Leigh will be without a club for too long – Premiership and Pro12 will already be circling

Choosing the starting forwards will not be easy – Maro Itoje and Ian Henderson, when he came on, both gave big performances.

British and Irish Lions player’s Maro Itoje, center left, and Taulupe Faletau, center right, appeal for a try against the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua, New Zealand, Saturday, June 17, 2017. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

But the news overall is that it has given Steve Hansen something to think about – a win of 32-10 in the ‘4^th test’ will make the All Blacks and the NZ media sleep just a little less easily tonight.

Overall a good day for the Lions now with 3 from 5 on the tour.

But the call-ups, based on who was nearest, by Gatland still leaves a bad taste for me today.