Wynne Gray: High mental voltage key to finding spark in test

The Lions are challenging history with a twist on modern rugby thinking as they venture into tonight's sudden-death duel at the Cake Tin.

The tourists and All Blacks are stocked with quality players whose physical prowess is similar in these times of multi-faceted conditioning, nutrition plans and recovery programmes. Coaches and game-plans build traits but crucial contrasts come from the players' judgment.

When they are fatigued, as they were in the ferocious opening contest at Eden Park, clear thinking can save a situation or put on a big play. When those decisions are dulled, players churn through their routines rather than looking for an advantage.

Most of the Lions are coming towards the end of an exhausting year but they'll be up for this physical contest after being knocked off their stride in various parts of the forward tussle at Eden Park.

Restored captain Sam Warburton emphasized that essential recovery and warned the All Blacks they would get a much more abrasive and accurate inquiry in this second test. His side was primed to dominate the scrum, lineouts, mauls and breakdown areas and win the kicking duels.

"In rugby," he said, "it's very much a case of 99 times out of 100 the more physical team wins. People might not like to hear that but it's the truth."

That might be the formula north of the equator but down in this part of the rugby universe that sort of advantage recedes after secondary school.

Hugely physical sides dominate at that level but once players enter professional academies, those disparities reduce as the emphasis rises on creating smart rugby competitors fuelled by an unbroken spirit. Clear thinking and delivery under intense pressure become the prized objectives.

Everyone is in the gym getting stronger, faster and more explosive while trimming excess bulk as the emphasis on aerobic fitness and mental power becomes the favoured one-two punch.

The Lions brought a physical swagger to Eden Park but when that was countered, they could not ice several hot chances. Draw and pass, open or blind-the chances were there but their thinking blistered under the pressure.

Good players took the wrong options and defaulted to a style of rugby which has been ingrained in them for decades. The thrilling 90m counter-attack started by Liam Williams was an exception and the sort of percentage play which will jangle any opponents.

It's planted the idea but there'll be danger if they overdo it in difficult weather in Wellington and questions about whether it is instinctive or they are all switched on to the idea.

Whatever the Lions try, they need high mental voltage for the entire test otherwise the All Blacks will short-circuit their ambition.