British and Irish Lions 2017: Five things Warren Gatland is looking for during final midweek game of the tour

It is the last chance for the midweek side to impress before the final two Test matches

Gatland has already proven he can be swayed by positive performances from the midweek team (Getty)

The British and Irish Lions take on the Hurricanes on Tuesday in what will be the final chance for those consigned to the midweek side to impress ahead of the final two Tests against the All Blacks.

But what will Warren Gatland be looking out for from his reserves?

How much does the mid-week side want their tour to continue?

If the team that takes to the Westpac Stadium field wants to feature again on this tour, they need to send a statement to Gatland that they can offer him something that his Test side is currently lacking. That may be difficult, but both Liam Williams and Elliot Daly showed they just need one chance to force their way into the mix, and the same can happen on Tuesday.

With no more warm-up matches planned after the Hurricanes game, this will be the last time that most for these players feature on the tour. That will result in one of two mentalities being taken on. The first, being the obvious, is to go out by making a statement and hope that Gatland has seen enough to keep in mind for the third Test and any possible injuries. The second is one that is not in New Zealand, but on the beach as the players begin to let their minds wander towards their post-tour holidays.

Is Lawes the answer?

Courtney Lawes is one of the players who looks to have a chance of playing in the second Test. The lock has had to be managed by Gatland and his coaching staff, having been knocked unconscious in just the fourth match of the tour, but he looks to have continued his good form this season to New Zealand.


 Lawes has is being managed carefully after his head injury 
 (Getty Images)

If Lawes can dish out some punishment to the Hurricanes this week, he could well find himself in the mix for not just a place on the bench in the second Test, but maybe even in the starting line-up alongside Maro Itoje. Who would run the lineout in that event would like fall on Itoje, so all Lawes need to do is prove he is ready to step up if needed.

Do the Lions have a Plan B?

The Lions’ game plan last Saturday looked to be one based on quick, resolute defence and wide, expansive attack, but when that didn’t work, they looked incapable of sticking the ball up their jumper and trying to run over the All Blacks as they were doing to them. This is where someone like CJ Stander comes into the equation.


 Stander could sneak a place on the bench on Saturday 
 (Getty Images)

The Irish No 8 has charged over many a man since arriving in the Land of the Long White Cloud, most notable the Chiefs’ favourite son Stephen Donald in the first minute of last Tuesday’s encounter, and he would provide some serious go-forward power for the Lions. Stander could be in the mix for a place among the replacements this week, and if he heads off early, don’t be surprised to see him on Saturday.

All Black talent will prove a danger

The fact that Julian Savea was deemed surplus to requirements by All Blacks’ coach Steve Hansen does not do the wing justice. Savea has an incredible 46 tries in 57 Tests that by all accounts would see him waltz into any other Test nation in the world. That he has been left out by Hansen does not mean he is off-colour.


 Julian Savea has 46 tries in 57 Test matches 
 (Getty)

Savea is dangerous at all times and much like the Lions have in the scrum at times on this tour, if they lose concentration then Savea will punish them. Throw into the mix the combination of Jordie Barrett and Nehe Milner-Skudder, as well as centre Ngani Laumape, and you have all the makes of a potent back line.

North’s last chance

The prospect of a fully fit George North not featuring in the Test series six weeks ago was a preposterous one, but it is a scenario that now looks to be a very likely possibility unless he can deliver on Tuesday. North has not enjoyed a good tour and looks to be bereft of confidence on the field.

Being axed from Gatland’s Saturday team will not have helped, but he now must regroup and give everything he has got to impress against the Hurricanes and ensure that this will not be his final game of the tour. If it is, the wing will head home incredibly disappointed with how he has played in New Zealand.