Thursday 29 June 2017 11:53, UK
Scott Quinnell says the combination of Sam Warburton and Sean O'Brien in the back row is crucial to the Lions' chances in the second Test against the All Blacks.
Peter O'Mahony was preferred to tour captain Warburton in the first Test at Eden Park, but following the Lions' 30-15 loss - during which the visitors were dominated at the breakdown - Warren Gatland has opted for the Wales international due to his pedigree as a fetcher.
Warburton will play in the No 6 jersey, as he did in the Six Nations, with Ireland's Sean O'Brien playing openside, and Quinnell feels their partnership could dictate the outcome of the second Test.
"This time last week we were talking about the physicality of the Lions," said Quinnell. "The physicality of the scrum, the good lineout, the contact area, getting over the ball.
"And New Zealand just said 'OK, if you talk about that, we'll show you how to do it', and I thought they were magnificent in those type of areas last week.
"Especially the contact area. They drove legs through contact, they looked for people inside and outside, that way were able to keep the continuity of the contact area going.
"I thought [Sam] Cane was brilliant over the ball, he really did boss that area.
"That's why Sam Warburton is in the side. Warren Gatland says he's one of the best sevens over the ball in world rugby.
"Sean O'Brien, another big strong man - they will absolutely love the fact that those two are playing together.
"They've never started a game together before, they will have a huge impact on whether we win this game on Saturday."
Maro Itoje, who made a big difference as a replacement in Auckland, has been promoted to the starting XV at Westpac Stadium, with Courtney Lawes covering the second row from the bench.
CJ Stander joins Lawes on the sidelines, and while Quinnell is glad to see strong ball-carriers on the bench, he says it's crucial that the Lions are still in the game when those runners are introduced.
"[He's] one of the guys that you always look to," said Quinnell of Itoje. "One of the guys that's always got a big smile on his face - he brings energy into that second row.
"With the likes of [Courtney] Lawes able to come on, with the likes of CJ Stander, it's a point of difference.
"I just hope it's not too late after 60 minutes and we're chucking them on trying to chase the game, because New Zealand are very good at pulling away from 60 minutes onwards."
Ben Te'o has been dropped to the bench despite a solid performance in the first Test, with Owen Farrell shifted to inside centre and Johnny Sexton coming in at fly-half.
Quinnell says Te'o is unlucky to lose out, and says the Lions may struggle without a strong runner out wide.
"I was surprised that Ben Te'o has been left out. As a forward you like a big man in the centre - or maybe on the wing - that you can come off and take a little bit of pressure, because it's all about gain line.
"New Zealand won the gain line, they won the physicality of that battle last week, and I thought Ben Te'o did particularly well.
"I thought he was one of the guys who in those early exchanges really did stand up - he stopped the likes of Sonny Bill Williams getting over the gain line, [and] he carried really hard.
"So changing the way that they set the team up this week, with Sexton at 10 and Farrell at 12; they will have a different kicking option, they will be able to utilise those kicking options, but for me it's got to be one in and around that contact area, in and around that gain line. So a bit of a surprise that one for me."
Watch the second Test between the All Blacks and the Lions this Saturday on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30am.
