Justin Marshall: Uncertainty adds to deciding test drama

This All Blacks team lacked consistency throughout this series. Photo / Alan Gibson

There seems to be an unusual amount of anxiety around the nation ahead of tonight's test.

There is some genuine worry about the result among All Blacks fans - which has been rare over the last few years - but that's actually a good thing.

It adds so much more to the occasion, which is great for the game and for world rugby. It's what the sport has needed.

Since the 2011 World Cup, it's not often that the New Zealand rugby fraternity go into an All Blacks game fretting about the result. The focus has normally been on what kind of performance the team will bring, or what areas of their game will be developed. But this time, nothing is assured.

It's partly because there is some irregularity about this All Blacks team. They have lacked some consistency throughout this series and haven't reached their usual high levels. Steve Hansen did an amazing job of managing the exodus of senior talent last year, when we lost hundreds of caps after the 2015 World Cup, and the All Blacks got through well. But we are now seeing what a big hole was left with some of those retirements.

The most glaring area is the midfield. There are plenty of capable individual performers, but it's fair to say that the incredible Ma'a Nonu/Conrad Smith partnership hasn't been adequately replaced. Their skill, their strength, their defensive guile and their game intelligence.

And some of the more reliable players of the current era haven't been particularly involved in this series. Ben Smith has been missed, while Julian Savea has yet to play.

It's meant a lack of familiarity about this team. Look at the respective backlines tonight. Ngani Laumape, Jordie Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown only have 14 caps between them. But the Lions' back division is well established, all seasoned international performers with an average of more than 45 tests. There are no rookies.

It all adds to the sense of unknown about this game.

I'm expecting an improved display from both teams tonight. The All Blacks will need to tweak things, because their new faces bring different skill sets.

That will affect Hansen's game plan, even if the ABs still have plenty of experience on the park. I know the Lions weren't pleased with their discipline in Wellington. It almost cost them the match and for 30 minutes they were pretty ordinary. But they are a dangerous team. They have come with an attacking attitude, knowing that you have to score tries to win tests in New Zealand. We haven't seen the best of either team in this series, which adds up to a dramatic scenario for the decider.