The long-awaited series finally kicks off in New Zealand’s Holy of Holies with the Lions, roared on by 25,000 travelling fans, believing they can shock the sporting world.
“We’ve all played at Eden Park and we know how tough it is to win here. It is a really impressive record but if there ever was a team that has the potential this is it. If we click, we’d be excited about what we can do,” said Lions scrum-half Conor Murray.
“The series win [in Australia] four years ago gives us a little bit of confidence. We know this is a completely different kettle of fish but we know that we can do it.
“The potential in the squad is probably greater than it was in 2013. That is really exciting and all the lads know that. They are looking forward to getting started.”
There are many reasons why the Lions are outsiders, not least the fact that this XV has never played together before, but they fancy their chances of springing a surprise.
“Test match rugby is about winning and we feel we have Test match animals,” said Lions attack coach Rob Howley. “The confidence of the players has shown in training. They believe they can win.”
Murray was part of the Ireland team that defeated the All Blacks in Chicago last November and his message to the Lions has been to fight fire with fire against the world’s best attacking side.
“One of the main things for me is that you’ve got to be confident and willing to play rugby against the All Blacks,” said Murray.
“In 2013 in Dublin, we got quite a good lead and then we probably panicked a bit and tried to maintain that lead and hold out whereas the Chicago game taught us you’ve got to keep playing, you’ve got to keep attacking – not go into your shell. Decision-making, execution of game plan, all those things come into it too but for me the main thing to do is keep playing.”
New Zealand go into the game as strong favourites – and deservedly so, according to captain Kieran Read.
“We will go out there and expect to win, as probably everyone in New Zealand will expect us to win,” said Read, who will wear a protective guard around the thumb he broke eight weeks ago. “But we have got to make sure we go out there and do that – it doesn’t just happen.
“It will be an enthralling contest. I can’t wait to get involved. They have their best players from across the four teams and they play their own style but a Test match is about who is willing to put their body on the line for the longest. We are willing to go there for 80 minutes.
“We play across the venues in New Zealand but this is probably the one we feel the most at home at.”
The Lions are rightly wary of the potency of the All Blacks and have set themselves a target of conceding fewer than eight penalties in the game to restrict New Zealand’s opportunities.
“Discipline is a huge part. If we’re able to keep our discipline and our defensive line and be clinical then we have a great opportunity,” said Howley.
