Saturday's squads
British and Irish Lions: L Williams, A Watson, J Davies, O Farrell, E Daly, J Sexton, C Murray; M Vunipola, J George, T Furlong, M Itoje, AW Jones, S Warburton (c), S O'Brien, T Faletau.
Replacements: K Owens, J McGrath, K Sinckler, C Lawes, CJ Stander, R Webb, B Te'o, J Nowell.
All Blacks: I Dagg; W Naholo, A Lienert-Brown, SB Williams, R Ioane; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).
Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, N Laumape.
I don't know how I feel about the Lions squad. Whilst Farrell at 12 has worked for England I think it's a risk and losing Teo who made a bit of gain through traffic which Farrell can't be expected to match could be a bit of a loss. AWJ must be living on reputation because I don't think he has put in a 30 minute stretch this tour that has been as good as Lawes or Henderson's average. I was surprised Warburton didn't come in for O'Brien rather than O'Mahony. CJ Stander hasn't looked anything like having the form to justify a bench slot, it's not that I think he is a bad player but he has not made any impact even against the Super Rugby sides. Nowell has played pretty well the last two games much more like the player we expect than the error ridden performances of his first two games, probably fair that he is the utility back sub.
Apart from losing Smith who is genuinely World Class, I don't think there is another 15 in his league at the moment, that is a fairly solid AB's team the loss of Dane Coles is small chink but Taylor played well last week.
I hope the Lions can turn this around but I think this will be another NZ win.
