A nice game to start the tour, but for me it’s a week too soon, whoever planned this should have to explain why they first game of the tour comes a week after the season ends in the UK & Ireland.
With so many players involved in the last 2 weeks, picking a side to represent the Lions is difficult, but I’ve gone with the following:
1 to 15
Marler Best Cole Itoje AWJ Henderson Tuperic Faletau Laidlaw Biggar North Te’o Joseph Watson & Hogg.
I expect the Lions to win this one with ease.
Auckland Blues await the Lions 4 days later, not the best of the NZ sides to play the Lions but will be up for this, which will mean a mixture of the big guns and others will be put out to face them, those extra days rest will be important especially with Crusaders 3 days after the Blues game.