Lions unchanged for Third Test
By Mark Stevens
5/7/17
Exeter Chiefs and England star Jack Nowell has been included in an unchanged British & Irish Lions team for the third and decisive Test against New Zealand this weekend.
Cornishman Nowell was given a brief run out during last weekend’s 24-21 victory over the world champions in Wellington, but will again start Saturday’s crunch clash in Auckland on the bench.
Head Coach Warren Gatland will field the same starting XV in consecutive Tests for the first time since 1993. Welshman Sam Warburton again captains the side from the blind-side flank.
Victory on Saturday at Eden Park - where New Zealand have not lost since 1994 - would give the Lions only their second ever series win in New Zealand.
“This is a huge chance for this group of players to show their abilities and reap the benefits of the work everyone has put in,” said Gatland. “It is their chance to make Lions history.
“We are all aware of how big this game is and we are expecting a backlash from the All Blacks. But the pleasing thing about the second Test is just how strong we were in the last 10 or 15 minutes, in terms of energy and enthusiasm so we still feel there is another level in us.
“We felt we should reward the players for the result and the courage that they showed in coming from behind, from 18-9 down, digging themselves out of a hole and then finishing strongly in that last 10 to 15 minutes,” added Gatland.
“There are some players who are pretty disappointed not to be selected and I understand that. It is what you would expect from competitive top athletes, they back themselves.”
New Zealand, meanwhile, have made three changes to their XV for the series clincher. Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape are set to make their first starts for the All Blacks at full-back and inside centre respectively, while Julian Savea returns on the left wing.
Lions: Liam Williams (Wales); Anthony Watson (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Elliot Daly (England); Johnny Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland); Mako Vunipola (England), Jamie George (England) Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) Sam Warburton (Wales, capt), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Replacements: Ken Owens (Wales), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Kyle Sinckler (England), Courtney Lawes (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Rhys Webb (Wales), Ben Te'o (England), Jack Nowell (England)
