Beauden Barrett on attack for the All Blacks against Samoa at Eden Park last week. Photo / Photosport.
Beauden Barrett on attack for the All Blacks against Samoa at Eden Park last week. Photo / Photosport.
Alex McLeod runs through all you need to know ahead of the first test match between the All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions.
When and where is the first Test? The first clash between the British and Irish Lions and New Zealand is on tonight at Eden Park inAuckland.
What time is kick-off? 7.35pm.
How do I follow it live? The game will be shown live on Sky TV. But a free audio call will be fronted by Nigel Yalden on Radio Sport. Also you can follow the Herald's popular live blog on nzherald.co.nz
What are the line-ups? All Blacks (number of test caps in brackets) 1.Joe Moody (25), 2. Codie Taylor (16), 3. Owen Franks (91), 4. Brodie Retallick (61), 5. Sam Whitelock (85), 6. Jerome Kaino (78), 7. Sam Cane (41), 8. Kieran Read (97) captain, Aaron Smith (59), 10. Beauden Barrett (50), 11. Rieko Ioane (2), 12. Sonny Bill Williams (34), 13. Ryan Crotty (26), 14. Israel Dagg (62), 15. Ben Smith (61). Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris (5), 17. Wyatt Crockett (59), 18. Charlie Faumuina (47), 19. Scott Barrett (5), 20. Ardie Savea (13), 21. TJ Perenara (30) 22. Aaron Cruden (47), 23. Anton Lienert-Brown (10). Lions: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Ben Te'o, 11. Elliot Daly, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Conor Murray; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Alun Wyn Jones, 5. George Kruis, 6. Peter O'Mahony (captain), 7. Sean O'Brien, 8. Taulupe Faletau. Reserves: 16. Ken Owens, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Maro Itoje, 20. Sam Warburton, 21. Rhys Webb, 22. Jonathan Sexton, 23. Leigh Halfpenny.
The All Blacks ran rampant against Manu Samoa in Auckland last week. Photo / Photosport.
What's the latest team news? Peter O'Mahony will captain the Lions after Sam Warburton failed to force his way into the back row, in a side that also features Wales wing Liam Williams at fullback and England's Elliot Daly in a new-look back three.
Warburton becomes the first tour captain to miss the first Test in 87 years after Doug Prentice dropped himself on the tour of New Zealand in 1930, with Ireland flanker Sean O'Brien starting at openside flanker.
O'Mahony's elevation to the blindside position represents a remarkable rise for the Munsterman, who only secured his place on the tour after a man-of-the-match display performance for Ireland against England in the final game of the Six Nations after he was given an 11th hour starting place after Jamie Heaslip was injured in the warm-up
Kieran Read has recovered from injury and will captain the All Blacks.
The Crusaders No. 8 last played more than seven weeks ago, when he suffered a broken thumb while on Super Rugby duty.
But he is fit agin to pack down in the All Blacks' back-row alongside Jerome Kaino and Sam Cane as New Zealand look to extend their long unbeaten run at Eden Park.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has sprung a surprise on the left-wing, though, handing Rieko Ioane a first Test start instead of the more experienced Julian Savea. Elsewhere, World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams lines up in midfield with a fit-again Ryan Crotty, with Crotty replacing Anton Lienert-Brown following last week's 78-0 victory over Samoa.
Rieko Ioane has been a standout for the Blues this season. Photo / Greg Bowker.
How's the weather looking?
Better for the Lions than for the All Blacks. The weather is inclement in Auckland today. There has been the odd shower and it may get worse tonight. Don't expect rain to force a change in All Blacks tactics though.
What's our prediction? The Lions forwards look strong enough to strangle the All Blacks while the tourists' defence has been exceptional. But the Lions will not be able to hold the All Blacks at bay the entire night. No team can do more with less possession and territory than the world champions. New Zealand by 8.
Odds:
The TAB are listing the All Blacks as strong favourites heading into the match, paying $1.21 for a home side victory, while an upset win by the Lions is paying $4.25.
Surprise selection Rieko Ioane is favourite to score the first try of the test, with the TAB paying $7 for the Blues utility back to dot down first.
In contrast, Englishman Anthony Watson has been ranked as the favourite to cross the white line first for the Lions, listed at $13.
Liam Williams is one of two players to have been promoted into the test side for the Lions. Photo / Getty Images.
Other test matches this weekend:
Samoa v Wales, 6:30pm Friday (NZT), Apia Park, Apia South Africa 'A' v French Barbarians, 6am Saturday (NZT), Orlando Stadium, Soweto Fiji v Scotland, 2:30pm Saturday (NZT), ANZ National Stadium, Suva Australia v Italy, 5pm Saturday (NZT), Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Japan v Ireland, 5:40pm Saturday (NZT), Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo South Africa v France, 3am Sunday (NZT), Ellis Park, Johannesburg Romania v Brazil, 4am Sunday (NZT), Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest Argentina v Georgia, 7:15am Sunday (NZT), Estadio 23 de Agosto, Jujuy
