George keeps ‘clear head’ as Lions history beckons

Jordie Barrett, 20, makes first start for New Zealand.

New Zealand have been heavy favourites throughout the series and this remains the case despite the Lions drawing level last week.

A show of strength, and confidence, from Lions coach Warren Gatland.

The decision means that Mako Vunipola keeps his place in the team, despite conceding a number of penalties and being sin-binned during the Lions’ dramatic victory last weekend’s second Test. Team selections were the order of the day in Auckland on Thursday, but there was also a temper-fuelled training session to deal with along with atrocious weather that could yet return for Saturday’s third Test.

Lions prop Jamie George said his England and Saracens teammate, who is studying for a degree in African politics, was uncomfortable with the rock-star treatment.

After speaking to Welsh Rugby Union president Dennis Gethin and his wife, Jan, Gatland was able to relay an example of this, with former All Blacks coach Henry – the man who beat the Lions so easily in 2005 and also secured the Rugby World Cup success in 2011 – less than pleased with how Gatland has been treated.

Even his fellow lock Alun Wyn Jones was joining in the chorus as they left the field, though Itoje said his thoughts were already turning to the next Test. Back-rowers Sean O’Brien and Taulupe Faletau will start in all three tests and have both been on the end of two superb tries. For much of the second Test, it did not look as if there would be much at stake in the third game.

It’s an all-Irish half-back partnership with Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton while Farrell is at inside centre with Jonathan Davies outside him. When the Ryder Cup comes along, golfers bend over backwards to be part of it, and the same goes for the Lions series.

Jones captained the Lions when they faced a series decider in Australia four years ago, overseeing a spectacular performance as the Wallabies were routed 41-16. No problem with the red card [for Sonny Bill Williams].

After losing 32-29 to the Boks in Hamilton in 2009‚ which followed two earlier defeats in SA that season‚ the All Blacks set about working towards a period of world dominance that is unprecedented in rugby and arguably in all sport. The recalled Malakai Fekitoa is on the bench. New Zealand edged it by only five points in the first Test and the draw returned in Wellington at around 14/1.

It’s the first time since 1993 they’ve kept an intact 15 from test to test.

Hansen brought in one-capped rookie full-back Jordie Barrett, the brother of Beauden, for the ultimate baptism of fire at Eden Park on his first start.

Harlequins’ Kyle Sinckler, Northampton Saints’ Courtney Lawes are among the replacements with Worcester Warriors’ Ben Te’o and Exeter Chiefs’ Jack Nowell.

New Zealand: J Barrett; I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, N Laumape, J Savea; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).

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