Justin Marshall: All Blacks selectors loyal when pressure on

All Blacks and Lions scrum during the 2nd test match between the All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions at Westpac Stadium. Photo / Brett Phibbs

What a dramatic test that was, and I say dramatic because, thanks to the weather conditions, some of the rugby wasn't vintage but it sure had its moments of drama and physicality and it was a genuine contest.

The All Blacks, of course, were severely disadvantaged without Sonny Bill Williams on the field.

But my take on that Lions victory was that after so much negative talk about them, this test at Westpac Stadium, and next Saturday's at Eden Park, highlight why these tours are so special and unique.

To be in Wellington for that test and to see the fans of both teams fully engaged in an electric atmosphere was amazing. The game needs it.

That's going to be heightened at Eden Park with the series decider. It's incredibly exciting and arguably the most eagerly anticipated test here since the 2011 World Cup final.

Factor in that the All Blacks aren't having a great run with injuries and a suspension, and will be forced to change their team, and that the Lions may have to as well. There will be debate through the week from fans in terms of selections for both teams.

It's interesting that Warren Gatland will mirror the tactic of four years ago and rest his players after the second test. They are in Queenstown and will not train until Wednesday.

He feels that's what his players need after a long and arduous season and it clearly worked in Australia with that last series win over the Wallabies.

As for the All Blacks selections, one of the trends from Steve Hansen and his fellow selectors over the years is that in times of need, they show incredible loyalty to players who have done it before, and it would surprise if they deviated from that.

There are several midfield options to replace Williams. Would I pick Jack Goodhue, the Crusaders 22-year-old yet to play a test? Yes, I would, because I think he offers the All Blacks everything they need in terms of containing the Lions and attacking them.

But it would be a very courageous move to expose a player to that pressure and trust him with that responsibility.

They will possibly start with Malakai Fekitoa, who has been added to the squad, but I would love it if they picked someone like Goodhue for his first test start and had a player like Jordie Barrett on the bench.

In our All Black history, we don't have too many horror stories when we've been bold and trusted talent. Think back to the Baby Blacks. If you believe, then usually you'll get a response. For all the debate that will happen this week, if we saw a debutant run on, and one such as Jordie Barrett with only one cap to his name on the bench, it would make me extremely happy.

Saturday's test is going to provide the crescendo this tour deserves, and I think just about every rugby fan in the world would agree with me.