In today's Herald Lions news wrap, Tony Veitch discusses the All Blacks victory over Samoa, looks at Rotorua's world-record breaking haka, and looks ahead to the upcoming Lions vs Maori All Blacks match.
Herald reporter Heath Moore is spending five weeks in a Maui campervan following the Lions fans. This is his latest report.
Despite a strong and clinical performance from the All Blacks, Lions fans remain confident heading into the Test series next weekend.
While the All Blacks ran out 78-0 winnersover Samoa it appears the Red Army in Rotorua have laughed off the comprehensive victory as merely a training run.
Speaking to fans following the match many believe the All Blacks will be underdone heading into the first test at Eden Park.
"The All Blacks should have scheduled a two test series against a side like Australia or South Africa," Lions fan Joey Dunn told the Herald.
"Samoa offers nothing to what the Lions can produce. You can't compare the two styles. The All Blacks won't be hardened where as the Lions have had a string of tough games."
Another said the All Blacks won't be gifted so much free time on the ball as they did against Samoa when they take on the Lions.
"The amount of offloads this evening was ridiculous. But there's no way the Lions will allow the All Blacks any space to free the arms. There is no denying the Lions will try to slow the speed of the ruck down."
"It has taken the Lions a few weeks to find their feet. The All Blacks haven't long been in camp themselves. We need to shock them come Eden Park," another said.
Despite the All Blacks' mauling of Samoa Lions fans aren't convinced. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Popular opinion among Lions fans is they believe the All Blacks will be ripe for the taking come the first test, with the Lions needing to win the first game to stand any chance of winning the series.
Meanwhile Rotorua is packed with Lions fans as they prepare for their clash with the Maori All Blacks. Bars were jam packed to watch the double header at Eden Park with the Red Army in strong voice.
Singing Sweet Caroline and Take Me Home Country Roads, the Red Army partied long into the night with a group of hearty Irishmen knocking back the whiskeys back at camp after 12am.
Lions fans on the most part were impressed with the Maori All Blacks' side with a number of fans hopeful a win over the locals will spark their side's revival on the tour.
