He cracked a small smile, then didn’t miss. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has never been one to waste an opportunity. This time it was to rubbish his Lions counter-part, Warren Gatland’s claim there’s little between New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams and what the All Blacks will bring to the three tests.

There’s a huge gap, Hansen suggested with a knowing shake of his head.

Hansen had just named two uncapped players in a largely predictable squad. Both are from the Hurricanes. Midfielder Ngani Laumape is the joint leading try scorer in Super Rugby with 14 and Jordie Barrett is one of three from the same family, alongside lock Scott and World Rugby’s best player last year, Beauden.

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Two of the Blues backs who made life difficult for the Lions the previous night were also named – Sonny Bill Williams back after missing last year with Sevens duties and an achilles injury suffered at the Rio Olympics.

Blues wing Rieko Ioane entered a logjam of quality outside backs and will get another crack at the Lions with New Zealand Maori a week before the Test, along with his brother Akira, who is one of five players on standby for the All Blacks, and halfback Tawera Kerr Barlow. Before that game the Lions play an All Blacks-heavy Crusaders team and the Highlanders, who will have backs Lima Sopoaga and Waisake Naholo, and forward Liam Squire released for the match.

It paints a bleak picture for the Lions, with Gatland having tried to soften the defeat to the Blues by claiming they and the other four New Zealand Super teams are on a par with the All Blacks. “I don’t think there will be a lot of difference between some Super Rugby sides and the All Blacks,” Gatland said.

Hansen tossed him a bone when he said the former All Blacks hooker was trying for a bit of humour after reacting poorly to earlier suggestions his game plan was a predictable bash-fest. “I don’t think there’s any comparison between Super Rugby and Test rugby,” Hansen said with a nod and a chuckle. “He was probably just trying to make a light comment.”

Hansen made it clear he sees the Lions as a serious threat whatever happens in the games that precede the Tests. “I’ve always said this and I still believe it, I think they’re the best Lions side to come here. Gatland’s made it very, very clear that the first Test is all he’s got his eyes on. I don’t think they’re too bothered about what’s happening between now and then.”

“It would be foolish of us to think we can just rock up and expect a soft game. We’ll get the kitchen sink thrown at us and we need to be ready for that.”





Hansen touched on the Lions schedule, declaring the three-day lead-in to the first game was too tough and not something the All Blacks would have agreed too. Given that, he dismissed the performance against the Barbarians and said the loss to the Blues showed the players were still trying to establish combinations.

“They’re in the infancy of this tour,” Hansen said. “They’ll only get better and better. They’ll be a good side when the Tests come around. It’s well documented that that’s all they want to win anyway, they just want to win the Test matches.”

Hansen has named a formidable squad to counter the best of Britain and Ireland, those picked reflecting the depth he has to sift through and the form of many in the Super competition.

There are, though, a few injury concerns. Hooker Dane Coles isn’t expected to feature in the first two tests having been sidelined since mid-March with concussion. Midfielder Ryan Crotty is also in doubt with a rib injury while Ben Smith and Brodie Retallick have concussion issues. But there is a lot to like about this squad. There is x-factor and speed in the backs while the pack is simply the best New Zealand has to offer.

The only quibble would be the exclusion of Steven Luatua, but his departure soon to Bristol meant others were considered ahead of him. Laumape is a bold and inspired move. He has been in terrific form for the Hurricanes and deservedly pushed past incumbent All Blacks George Moala and Malakai Fekitoa.

And yet, Laumape may not feature in the Tests given Williams’ considerable ability, and if Ryan Crotty is able to shrug off a rib injury. Williams was a colossus in the Blues win against the Lions and revealed he is lighter, stronger and faster since his return from injury. “I’m starting to feel nimble, I just need more games,” the two-time World cup winner said.

Williams said he never thought his career was over when he ruptured his achilles in Rio, but confessed to “moping about” for a bit. “Then I made the decision I wanted to be a better player and that’s what I’m striving for.”

Given how well he played for the Blues, the Lions will be wondering just how much better he can be for the All Blacks. Williams will also test Gatland’s theory about just how close the Super teams are to the All Blacks. It could give Hansen another small chuckle.

All Blacks squad

Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith.

Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams.

Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith.

Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read (captain), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire.

Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock.

Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.

Hookers: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris.