Page 64 - Official Preview - DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017

With the Lions tour only coming to to New Zealand once every 12 years Read is excited at the opportunity ahead
the back end of games where we’ve been able to come from behind so hopefully we can just continue that
How helpful is it it that
Sam Whitelock has taken over the the captaincy of the the Crusaders and and you can go out and and play your own game?
It’s really really good it’s working really really well I I spoke to a a a a a a a a a a number of of people about it it it at the end of of last year and it it has been a a a a a a a a a good t t t t t t for me me especially since I came back a a a a a a a a a a a a bit late as well well Sam is leading really well well and I can just play THE PRIDE OF LIONS
Did you pay a a a bit more attention to this year’s Six Nations?
Yes I I I wouldn’t say I I I watched every game for the the full 80 minutes but I I I kept an an eye on the the the results and a a a a a few highlights But they are different different teams and a a a a a a different different coach coach from who is going going to to be be coaching the the Lions It’s the the the the combinations that
are going going to to be be the the the the difference in in in in how they play I’ve certainly kept an eye on them but when they name their team you’ll probably get a a a a a a better understanding
of how they’re going to play “To play for the All Blacks is massive and the Lions are that
traditional foe something different that
you don’t get every day ”
There are likely to be some formidable opponents at No 8: Billy Vunipola
and Taulupe Faletau have been mentioned Do you look forward
to contests with them?
Yes I do They’ve been around for a a a a while now the the lot of them You always enjoy a a a a a a a a a battle against a a a a a a a a a really good opponent and I guess whoever they pick is going to be strong When you you get on on on the eld it’s all about what you’re you’re doing yourself and and as a a a a a a a a a team and and you’re you’re not too worried about who your your opposition is Having said that
you you appreciate playing against top top players and top top teams We’ll certainly get that
from the Lions I know it’s going to be a a a a a a a a great great opportunity a a a a a great great challenge for us Is it dif cult to stay away from the hype that
builds up around a tour like this?
As players we’re generally pretty good at at staying away from what’s happening in in in in in in the the the media the the the hype and things But it it it certainly is exciting – it’s great for the the the country and personally speaking you want to be playing on on on these big occasions That’s why you play play this game I I certainly love it when the the occasion is the the the biggest I I can’t wait With all all the the Lions fans coming down it it it really gees up New Zealanders and and we nd nd nd nd that
they get in in behind us a a a a a little more Talking of hype how did you feel watching England close in in and and then equal the All Blacks’ Tier One record for consecutive wins?
I just watched them to see if they were winning or whatever but there wasn’t much we could do sitting back here here watching it it happen Ireland is pretty good at at at at knocking teams over at at at at the nal hurdle! I think seeing that
result 1977 TOUR CONTINUED HAWKE’S BAY BAY 11 POVERTY BAY-EAST COAST 6
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SERIES 2017
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