ADVERTISEMENTAs the British and Irish Lions prepare for the much anticipated three test tour of New Zealand. All Black coach Steve Hansen has kick-started the mind games by claiming his current crop of Kiwis are superior to the Dan Carter, Richie McCaw group.
► VIDEO: The British and Irish Lions receive a traditional Maori welcome in New Zealand https://t.co/AJjucyV0Bvpic.twitter.com/wU5vNUenJv
— Irish Times Video (@irishtimesvideo) May 31, 2017
That will make those with long memories wince, the All Blacks mauled the Lions 3-0.
Not to be undone Lions coach Warren Gatland says his team have long known who is to play in the opening match against a strong Provincial Union Team:
British and Irish Lions: Warren Gatland says every player has a ‘chance’ to play in Tests https://t.co/N4t2bhHLD0pic.twitter.com/w84zMT4nEn
— Dushan Senarathene (@Lakshi999) June 1, 2017
“We named the team to the players a week ago, so they have done a pretty good job of keeping it quiet for a whole week. We had fourteen players in Wales for the first week and thirteen of those players are the guys are involved in the first game and then the players that came in for the second week in Dublin. The players that will be involved in the first two weeks of the camps are primarily the ones, of the 23, we have decided to be involved in the first game.” > All Blacks legend Richie McCaw admits he was ‘naive’ about Lions until 2005 tour https://t.co/TSJFXuWwwipic.twitter.com/rBFeo7Vwu8
— Rugby Heaven (@NZRugbyHeaven) May 3, 2017
During the tour the Lions play three tests against the All Blacks on June 24 in Auckland, July 1 in Wellington and July 8 in Auckland.