All Blacks: Speed kills and Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo have plenty of it

All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane during an All Blacks training session. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

For the All Blacks, speed kills, and with Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo on the wings tomorrow for the second test, the British and Irish Lions will be flirting with danger every time they make a mistake.

Warren Gatland's selections of Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell as his two playmakers, and his comments after announcing his team to the media, suggest he is toying with a wider and more expansive game plan for the second test at Westpac Stadium, and the All Blacks are poised to capitalise if the tourists don't get it quite right.

Ioane, the 20-year-old who scored a double against the Lions at Eden Park in his first test start, is the quickest in the team, with Naholo not too far behind. Throw in Beauden Barrett, who is also among the sharpest accelerators, and Israel Dagg at fullback, and Steve Hansen's men have pace all over the park.

For Dagg, back at fullback in the absence of Ben Smith, Ioane's progress isn't a surprise. He watched him closely on last November's end of year tour and was impressed with his composure and attitude.

"He's an all-out finisher, he's got speed to burn," Dagg told the Herald. "He's got good skills too - quick feet - he's an exciting youngster. It takes me back to when I was 21 and running around with a care-free mindset and that's him. You just want him to get excited every time he gets the ball and run fast.

"I remember him last year on the end of year tour. He was pretty relaxed and didn't get flustered or overawed by the occasion. To see him do what he did last week was amazing, but we need him to do it again this week."

The All Blacks constantly work on their speed and acceleration - even the forwards. The ability to get in behind the opposition defence is everything to Hansen's men, but it is there too in the way they scramble on defence. Loosehead prop Joe Moody was praised by Hansen after the 30-15 victory in the first test for his ability and willingness to get back and try to stop Liam Williams' breakout which led to Sean O'Brien's try and that desperation to get back and cover is becoming a hallmark of his side.

"We do a lot of work on our speed and acceleration," Dagg said. "Even the forwards are doing it constantly - it's not just the backs or outside backs. The faster and more skillful we are the better for our team."

Naholo's selection is a good reward for the form and workrate he showed for the Highlanders in their remarkable victory over the Lions in Dunedin, and he must have gone close to Dagg for the No11 jersey at Eden Park.

Now he has the opportunity to shine again on the biggest stage but Dagg said it was important that Ioane and Naholo were used properly.

"They're going to get a few opportunities and they're going to get tested as well. For us it's about staying connected for the full 80 minutes. They're going to put pressure on us with a lot of contestables - high kicks.

"We're fully expecting that but we've got to adapt as well. They might run it and not kick as much but we have to expect everything.

"We've got to put them into space, we can't just give them the ball and expect them to do all the work. If we run positive lines and provide space for them then as wingers they should be scoring all the tries.

Dagg, 29, is pleased to be back in the No15 jersey, but Smith, considered the best fullback in the world, wasn't far from his thoughts this week. The All Blacks vice-captain has been ruled out for the rest of the series due to his recurring concussion issues and Dagg spoke with feeling about the importance of Smith to the team and the fact that the Highlanders player must do the right thing to recover properly before returning.

"It's great to be back in the No15 jersey but as I said it's great when Bender is there. He's an extremely talented man. I've got some big shoes to fill but it's exciting at the same time. I want to lead with my actions. I've got some pretty young outside backs - I think I'm the oldest in the backline."