This game is one i have been waiting for, i have watched all the leadup games and this is going to be a great game.... the All Black attacking games versus the Lions defence ...
Since the start of the tour the Lions have looked better and better at each outing ... against the Maori All Black and the Chiefs their defence looked very hard to break down.
Here is the All Black Team,
The match day 23 for the first Test of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series is (with Test caps in brackets):
Joe Moody (25)
Codie Taylor (16)
Owen Franks (91)
Brodie Retallick (61)
Samuel Whitelock (85)
Jerome Kaino (78)
Sam Cane (41)
Kieran Read (97) - Captain
Aaron Smith (59)
Beauden Barrett (50)
Rieko Ioane (2)
Sonny Bill Williams (34)
Ryan Crotty (26)
Israel Dagg (62)
Ben Smith (61)
Nathan Harris (5)
Wyatt Crockett (59)
Charlie Faumuina (47)
Scott Barrett (5)
Ardie Savea (13)
TJ Perenara (30)
Aaron Cruden (47) / Lima Sopoaga (7)
Anton Lienert-Brown (10)
I am happy to see Reiko Ioane getting a starting spot, he has had a great season and deserves his chance.
I would have liked to have seen TJ Perenara given a starting spot ahead of Aaron Smith as a reward for good form.
I would have liked Ardie Savea to start .... but also like him as an impact player and Sam Cane is also playing well.
Match Prediciton ... All Blacks by 15
TAB NZ odds : New Zealand $1.21 British & Irish Lions $4.25 Draw $26.00
Go All Blacks !