The British and Irish Lions will face off against world rugby’s mightiest team in the All Blacks tomorrow morning.
If the touring side secure a win against the New Zealanders it could set them on course to make rugby history.
The Lions haven’t won a test series against the All Blacks since 1971, which remains the team’s only successful visit to New Zealand.
If the Lions beat the All Blacks tomorrow, it will be the first time they have done so since 1993. In 38 meetings, they have won just six, drawn three and lost 29.
Saturday’s match is at Eden Park, a ground were New Zealand have not lost since July 1994.
On top of this, Warren Gatland’s side have faced a gruelling 10-game schedule.
However they have won four of their six games so far, building up some serious momentum in their impressive victories against the Maori All Blacks and the Chiefs.
Some of Gatland’s decisions have been controversial ones, such as the late inclusion of six new players to the squad due to their proximity to New Zealand instead of on merit alone.
But off the back of the recent, impressive Lions performances, many are expecting the three All Blacks test matches to be close.
The Courier’s rugby correspondent, Steve Scott, has below given an in-depth assessment of both the All Blacks and Lions sides ahead of what promises to be an epic clash this weekend.
British and Irish Lions
15 Liam Williams
A selection which suggests Gatland was minded to play the sadly injured Stuart Hogg rather than Leigh Halfpenny at 15 all along; Williams did well against the Chiefs but not spectacularly. Feisty and temperamental, he got under the All Blacks’ skin during Wales’ tour last year.
14 Anthony Watson
A good tour so far for the Bath man, he’ll probably be relieved to see Loane instead of Julian Savea or Waisake Naholo in direct opposition.
13 Jonathan Davies
A poor season for Wales ended strongly for the Scarlets and on tour Davies has reclaimed the jersey he took from Brian O’Driscoll in 2013 with little argument.
12 Ben Te’o
Gatland always liked the New Zealand born former Rugby Leaguer and he’s made more yards than anyone on tour. Only his distribution to those outside him has been patchy to say the least.
11 Elliot Daly
Even Gatland has lost patience with George North’s inaction hence the gamble to play Daly, who is a better footballer, better in the air and on the retreat, and plenty quick.
10 Owen Farrell
Held in cotton wool last week, the player who doesn’t even play at 10 for his country is actually the best playmaker available. His one-on-one with Barrett is really one to savour.
9 Conor Murray
No question about this whatsoever, Murray’s physicality, defensive skills and superior kicking game make up for a slight lack of pace and slickness of service.
1 Mako Vunipola
Brilliant in the loose and a transformed player since the 2013 tour when he was not the greatest scrummager.
2 Jamie George
England’s “finisher” at hooker deservedly gets the shout at hooker. His Saracens link with George Kruis is a key at the line-out.
3 Tadhg Furlong
He had storming games against the All Blacks for Ireland last November he was a certainty to start the tour tests. Good enough in the tight and a formidable force about the field.
4 Alan Wyn Jones
Is it a tour too far for the Welsh warrior? Many eyebrows are raised that he has been preferred to Maro Itoje. The most penalised Lion on the tour so far.
5 George Kruis
Hugely influential in line-out calling, defence and fresh because he missed much of the season injured, the Saracen is key in cancelling out the All Black’s dynamic second row duo.
6 Peter O’Mahony
No greater competitor and a line-out giant, but O’Mahony, for all his attributes, is a curious kind of backrower who doesn’t make many tackles or force turnovers.
7 Sean O’Brien
Chosen for the final test in 2013 when Sam Warburton was injured, the Irishman is clearly ahead of the squad captain on this tour. Adds a dynamism and pace to match anything the All Blacks have.
8 Taulupe Faletau
An obvious choice once cousin Billy Vunipola didn’t tour, Faletau is a superior all-rounder both defensively and especially carrying go-forward ball.
All Blacks
15 Ben Smith
The All Blacks’ vice-captain shows no signs of slowing at 31. Superb under the high ball and specifically counterattacking from it, expect the Lions to kick away from him in the direction of…
14 Israel Dagg
Dagg had a tough time playing full-back in the Crusaders game with the Lions aerial attack, but Steve Hansen has in the last 12 months preferred his finishing instincts on the wing.
13 Ryan Crotty
Seems to have replaced Conrad Smith as the AB’s defensive captain. Many in New Zealand think his inclusion is too conservative and Anton Leinert-Brown should have been picked instead.
12 Sonny Bill Williams
Sonny Bill showed in the Blues game against the Lions that you can keep him quiet for a while but one outrageous off-load can change the game. Not everyone in New Zealand loves his individual style, however.
11 Rieko Loane
The only new cap, largely on the back of his outstanding performance for the Blues against the Lions, although the 20-year-old was a LOT less effective playing for the Maori All Blacks last week.
10 Beauden Barrett
As Dan Carter blossomed into a superstar in 2005, it should be Barrett in 2017; that’s at least how New Zealand sees it. He certainly has all the tools, but can be targeted defensively.
9 Aaron Smith
Still underrated – quite how is difficult to fathom – Smith is the chief decision maker in the All Blacks scheme. Defends well for his size, although the Lions will seek to draw him into a physical mismatch with Conor Murray.
1 Joe Moody
Came from nowhere to be first choice loose-head at the Rugby World Cup. All three All Black front rowers played in the Crusaders pack dominated by the Lions in Christchurch.
2 Codie Taylor
With the outstanding Dane Coles injured, there will be a lot of focus on Taylor’s setpiece, especially at line-out.
3 Owen Franks
92 caps and he’s not even 30 yet, Franks has been the lynchpin of the All Black pack through two World Cup wins. His tussle with Mako Vunipola is a key to the test match.
4 Brodie Retallick
His return from concussion against Samoa had the whole All Black nation breathing a sigh of relief. The best lock in world rugby was the key absence when Ireland ended New Zealand’s long unbeaten run in Chicago last autumn.
5 Sam Whitelock
Subdued in the Christchurch game when skippering the Crusaders but with Retallick forms a formidable and unmatched engine room for the AB’s pack.
6 Jerome Kaino
The All Blacks’ enforcer, and came through the Samoa game in his usual style. His scrap with Peter O’Mahony is going to be PG-rated.
7 Sam Cane
A big shirt to fill, but he has the endorsement of his predecessor, Richie McCaw, whom he understudied for so long.
8 Kieran Reid
The captain has not played much this year but Steve Hansen has to hope that his brilliant all round skills and importance to the All Blacks machine overcomes any rustiness.