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29th May 2017
12:33pm BST
The British and Irish Lions are really up against it this summer. With minimal preparation time, Warren Gatland must assemble his disparate squad, get them singing off the same hymn sheet, cope with the inevitable injuries and play three Tests against arguably the greatest rugby team of all time.
In 2016 the All Blacks played 14 games, winning all but one notable exception, and averaging almost 40 points per Test. With Beauden Barrett pulling the strings and the likes of Julian Savea and Malakai Fekitoa supplying the pace and power, Steve Hansen's side are a terrifying attacking prospect.
New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises have racked up over 2000 points between them thus far this season and, while three winter Tests against the Lions will be different from the hard-ground, ruck-free orgies that is Super Rugby, the point stands that the Tourists are going to face an absolute barrage of attacking rugby.
It is for this very obvious reason that Ian McGeechan, a five-time Lions coach himself, can see Gatland making one surprise selection in the middle of the field.
There has been a nice mix of names bandied about for a starting spot at centre, with Brian O'Driscoll stumping for Owen Farrell and Robbie Henshaw, while Jonathan Joseph is another popular selection after a strong season.
However "Geech" has a slightly left field" option... Jared Payne.
Gatland spoke highly of Payne's record against the Southern Hemisphere sides, including his native New Zealand, at his squad announcement.
"You look back at someone like Jared Payne. He has been unfortunate with injuries but he's played in some games with Ireland and some pretty significant games. His record against the southern hemisphere teams has been very impressive."However, above anything, the Ulster and Ireland centre/full-back is renowned for his ability to organise a defence Geech believes Payne's reading of the game, coupled with his work ethic, could be vital to stemming the black tide. "Because of defence," he said simply of Payne. "Defence wins championships and defence wins test matches." He continued: "The key moments, and New Zealand are good at that as well, at not giving points away when they could, that sometimes makes the difference, which is why they won in Dublin after losing in Chicago." https://twitter.com/5liveSport/status/869116106551599104?s=08 "That is going to be quite an intriguing area," added McGeechan. We concur.
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