Dan Carter: Lions will crash - 'You've seen the dangers the All Blacks have in their back line'

The British and Irish Lions leave the pitch beaten by the Blues. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Dan Carter has predicted a 3-0 All Blacks series victory over the British and Irish Lions saying the tourists won't score enough tries.

The Telegraph reported that Carter was "quick to puncture" any Lions optimism stemming from their win over the Crusaders, although this side would be tougher than the 2005 team he helped demolish.

Carter said: "It all starts with physicality. It's all part of (Lions coach) Warren Gatland's style and that's what you need when you're playing the All Blacks or anyone at test-match level.

"You need to dominate your opponents physically up front and then just make the most of your opportunities.

"But it's not only physicality that's going to win you test matches, you're going have to be extremely skilful and make the most of every opportunity in attack as well.

"It will be a huge step up, that first test match, from anything they will have played on the tour...you need a balance. You need to be able to score tries.

"The freshness of the All Blacks will be too much. You've seen the dangers the All Blacks have in their back line. If they've got ball going forward, it can be a long night at the office, so the Lions pack really need to step up and dominate up front if they're going to have a chance."

Carter, one of the finest players in rugby history, described the All Blacks squad as "exciting" and said Beauden Barrett would lead the assault.

He wasn't even concerned over goalkicking, and also hopes Hurricanes goalkicking ace Jordie Barrett gets to make his debut in the series.

"(Beauden Barrett) and Aaron Cruden are great kickers and even though they're not kickers for their Super Rugby teams, they'll still be doing a lot of work behind the scenes," Carter said.

He picked out English playmaker Owen Farrell as critical to any Lions' hopes saying he must be chosen ahead of Ireland's Johnny Sexton.

"He's a natural leader and he'll need to be fit and firing, because I just feel that it's a different team when he's playing."

Carter did have some positive new for the Lions.
"To keep an attacking team like the Crusaders try-less was extremely impressive. That kind of defence shows there is some character building in the squad, so they'll take a lot of confidence from that game," he said.