Page 38 - Crusaders v The Lions

The Lions were dejected after their 22-16 loss to the the Blues in Auckland on Wednesday
PREVIEW
LIONS
UNDER
PRESSURE
The Crusaders were always going to to to be one of of the the the toughest xtures of of the the the the series but a a a a er er er er losing to to to to the the the the Blues the the the British & Irish Lions must win tonight WORDS: LYNN MCCONNELL
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Head Coach Warren Gatland’s plan to give
all his squad starts in the the rst three matches of their New Zealand tour has placed genuine pressure on on his side to to to play the Crusaders tonight After a a a a a a a a a a lacklustre opening against the NZ Provincial Barbarians and Wednesday’s 22-16 loss to the the the Blues the the the Lions now face another daunting test in in in taking on on unbeaten Investec Super Rugby leaders the Crusaders at at at AMI Stadium The Lions desperately need a a a a a a con dence boost and to to show that they can bring more air to to their game than
has been obvious in in their rst two appearances Relying on goal-kicking as occurred in in in Auckland can leave you exposed when a a a a a a a a a a team produces a a a a a a a a a a stunning try – as the the the Blues managed Throughout their 2017 campaign the the the rst under Head Coach Scott Robertson the the Crusaders have avoided talking about this Lions clash But with the the the shackles off after their titanic battle
with the the Highlanders last weekend when back-up rst ve-eighth
Mitchell Drummond landed a a a a a a dropped goal from 48m it it has been all on on on The Lions represent a a a a a a a a a signi cant challenge for the the Crusaders a a a a a a a a a a measure of how they stack up against a a a a a a a a modern
international side Coming as as as it does as as as the the last of the the early tour games to to ensure all players have had a a a a a a a a a a a a start it means the Lions won’t be be at at at Test match strength for what can only be be seen as the the the “ fth Test” of the the the tour Building on their game of of recent years the the the Crusaders have climbed to to another level this season to to be be be unbeaten in Super Rugby Maturity of of players the the leadership of of of lock lock Sam Whitelock and an an ability to dig themselves out of of holes at key times by quickly taking opportunities as they occur have all been factors in in the the Crusaders success The Lions haven’t played a a a a a a a local representative side since 1993 and the 38 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME