WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) The British and Irish Lions will reach an important crossroads in only the second match of their New Zealand tour Wednesday when they play the Auckland Blues in their first ever meeting with a Super Rugby side.
Unless the extensively changed Lions side can dramatically improve on an inadequate performance by the tourists in their opening match against the Provincial Barbarians, expectations on coach Warren Gatland’s team may plummet, with their plans around selection and preparation for the tests against the All Blacks compromised.
The Lions squad needs to quickly restore the confidence of the nearly 30,000 fans that have followed them to New Zealand by scoring a win over the Blues which demonstrates they have the strength and depth to challenge New Zealand in the three-test series that begins June 24.