Peter Thorburn: The Lions pressure cooker is set to reach boiling point

Handling pressure - that's the key to the Lions series. The pressure of the occasion. The pressure of expectation from the public, media, selectors and coaches. The pressure of setbacks, losses, injuries, etc. The pressure of maintaining performance and the pressure of losing.

Experienced players like Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back, Richard Hill and Matt Dawson know what to do in pressure situations. They don't throw risky passes or lose the ball in possession. They know how to win and make the right decisions by not panicking.

It's not just game performance where they are so vital. Handling the pressure of public and media expectations can be a drain on players and coaches and create potential performance- or result-threatening situations. Experienced players have learned how to manage this pre-game time to maximise performance and, just as importantly, not diminish other players' preparation.

This is where the Lions will be strong - because of their age and experience which, oddly, some see as a weakness. However, winning isn't all about experience. To participate in sport at the top level, the balance between experience and raw talent has to be accurate.

In New Zealand we have a tremendous pool of young players, as shown by the age-grade national teams and the numbers of new talent thrown up each season at both NPC and Super 12. But players travelling overseas means that many are being pulled/pushed to higher levels, most often before fully going through the learning mill of senior club play, provincial teams and then to Super 12.

Compare the relative experience of the All Blacks with the Lions. Sir Clive Woodward has been criticised for the number of seniors in his squad - Back (36), Dallaglio (32), Dawson (32), Hill (32), Graham Rowntree (34), Will Greenwood (33), Danny Grewcock (32), Martin Corry (32), Julian White (32), Jason Robinson (31), Shayne Byrne (34), John Hayes (32), Malcolm O'Kelly (31) and Welshman Gareth Thomas (31). But the bulk of the over-30s are Englishmen who have won a World Cup and beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand.

On the experience front, the All Blacks will be outgunned. To combat this, the selectors have to go for experience in any tight calls.

For instance, Rodney So'oialo should get the nod ahead of Mose Tuilai'i. The Crusaders No 8 is coming along well but So'oialo is a year further down the track.

I'd choose Jerry Collins ahead of Jerome Kaino and while Josh Blackie has played well, it would be hard to go past Marty Holah. At lock I would say Chris Jack, Norm Maxwell and Ali Williams are the first three options. If Maxwell is unavailable, Brad Mika comes into the equation.

There's talk of Reuben Thorne or Jono Gibbes at lock. While they have more test experience, neither has test experience at lock so Mika is a better choice.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY