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“Without calling, stuff is happening on the hoof and that’s only getting better as we go along. We’re all geared towards the first Test.” Lions defence coach Andy Farrell says the squad is
relishing the chance to take on the best team on the planet at Eden Park, where New Zealand haven’t been beaten since 1994. “It’s going to be one hell of a game. I know we’ll turn up and
we’re a good side brimming for a big challenge. Mentally and physically we’ll be ready,” said Farrell. “Physically I don’t think we’ve disappointed so far. Will we need to up our game?
Certainly. We’re going to have to take ourselves to a place that individually we’ve not been to before. “The All Blacks have certainly got better over the last four years and are reigning
supreme at this moment in time, but the boys realise that and are excited by that challenge. “Our squad is full of winners, it’s full of guys who are used to winning and know how to win.
We’re going to be a hell of a side. We’ll go down to Auckland and there’s a sea of red there. The strength of the group is phenomenal and everything is building up.” LIONS: Williams; Nowell,
Payne, Henshaw, Daly; Biggar, Laidlaw; Marler, Best (capt), Cole, Henderson, Lawes, Haskell, Tipuric, Stander. Replacements: Dacey, Dell, Francis, Hill, Jones, Davies, Russell, Seymour.
CHIEFS: Stevenson; Pulu, Nanai-Williams, Faauli, Alaimalo; Donald (capt), Christie; Sanders, Boshier, Brown, Allardice, Bird, Laulala, Polwort, Fisi’ihoi. Replacements: Elliot, Ross, Moli,
Messam, Karpik, Taumateine, Laulala, Tiatia. Kick-off: 8.35am. TV: Sky Sports 1.