Monday 11 November 2019 15:35, UK
Stuart Barnes says that the game management of Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell is key for the Lions but has some serious concerns over their defensive roles.
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland insists that Sexton and Farrell can "do a job" on New Zealand battering ram Sonny Bill Williams in Saturday's second Test.
Gatland has paired Sexton and Farrell as twin playmakers in a bid to outflank New Zealand on the counter-attack in Wellington.
England centre Ben Te'o did well in Auckland to keep Williams quiet, however, he came more into the game when Farrell came on and replaced the Worcester man in the Lions' 30-15 first Test defeat last weekend.
Williams is joined in the midfield by Anton Lienert-Brown, who replaces the injured Ryan Crotty at outside centre, and while Gatland remains adamant Sexton and Farrell can handle the All Blacks duo, Barnes is not so sure.
"I'm very concerned about Sonny Bill Williams and Anton Lienert-Brown because Lienert-Brown is a very good player but it'll be about where the game is played," Barnes told Sky Sports News HQ. "Yes, it is gamble."
"I think Owen Farrell is not the greatest defender at 12 and Johnny Sexton will be targeted but it's crucial the Lions play this game in the right parts of the field.
"Game management is the key word. Sexton and Farrell are the two best game managers the Lions have outside Conor Murray, therefore they need to force New Zealand deep."
