Rugby
DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017: It all comes down to this
Lions coach Warren Gatland has gone for the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach ahead of the deciding Test match of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017 in Auckland on Saturday. Opting for the same 23 man squad that were victorious in Wellington, the selection meeting would no doubt have explored all options, but it’s hard to justify changes to a side that handed the All Blacks their first home defeat in 47 Tests.
Those 23 men will have the eyes of the rugby world on them when they run out at 8:30 a.m. UK time for the biggest match of their lives.
Sam Warburton - who put in an inspired performance in the 2nd test - will lead an unchanged 23, the first time since 1993 that the Lions have kept the same XV for consecutive Tests.
Gatland acknowledged the unusual situation he was facing at the climax of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017, saying: "We felt we should reward the players for the result and the courage that they showed in coming from behind from 18-9 down, digging themselves out of a hole, and then finishing strongly in that last 10 to 15 minutes."
With New Zealand's talismanic Sonny Bill Williams banned for the third and final Test following his sending off for a shoulder charge on Anthony Watson, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen was forced to make changes as the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017 reaches a monumental conclusion.
Laumape replaces the suspended Sonny Bill Williams, while Hansen also hands an All Black debut to 20-year-old Jordie Barrett (brother of Beauden).
Israel Dagg moves from full back to right wing to accommodate Barrett, while Julian Savea comes in to replace Rieko Ioane on the left, with Malakai Fekitoa completing the match day 23.
Captain Kieran Read, who like Warburton has had an exemplary DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017, is also due to earn his 100th Test cap.
The pride of a place in the rugby history books awaits the winner at the end of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017.
Lions: Liam Williams; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton (capt); Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.
Substitutes: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Ben Te’o, Jack Nowell
New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (capt)
Substitutes: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa
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