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Maro Itoje's impact off the bench for Lions against All Blacks could be crucial, says Nick Evans

Maro Itoje will have a big impact off the bench
Image: Maro Itoje will have a big impact off the bench

Nick Evans says having Maro Itoje on the bench and not starting against New Zealand is the right call for the British and Irish Lions.

Slowly but surely Warren Gatland's Lions have started to change perceptions in New Zealand and All Black fans - so confident after the Lions slow start - are starting to feel a bit nervous.

Gatland has made some bold choices especially in the backs, but it is the on the replacements bench where Evans believes the game could be won or lost.

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The key man for him is Itoje who was a favourite to start alongside his Saracens second-row partner George Kruis, but Gatland has opted for the experience of Alun Wyn Jones.

However, keeping the momentum and intensity going for the full eighty minutes is one of the reasons why Evans believes Itoje will have a major impact when he comes on.

"With Alun Wyn Jones they have gone for experience - I think Gats trusts him, " said Evans who won 16 caps for New Zealand.

Alun Wyn Jones of the Lions charges upfield
Image: Alun Wyn Jones of the Lions charges upfield

"Itoje is a fantastic player and I think he will have a huge impact off the bench which could be crucial.

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"The All Blacks dominate most teams around that50-minutee mark. If you have a guy like Itoje coming off the bench to replace the tired guys - he can start actually making yards rather than just containing the All Blacks. I think he will put them under pressure off the bench.

"I think the All Blacks would have thought Itoje would have been in that second row partnership, but they would have had their what-if scenarios so they will go through the team and understand what they need to do - they will be well prepared."

The Lions pack has been excellent and their rush defence has caused all sort of problems for the likes of the Crusaders, Maori All Blacks and the Chiefs.

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However Evans says the Lions will need to come up with more than that if they want to beat the All Blacks.

"I think they have picked a side who can score tries - they will have to be on their A-game though," added Evans.

"They will need to be patient and kick very accurately.

 Sonny Bill Williams offloads to Ihaia West to set up the winning try.
Image: Beware the Sonny Bill Williams offload game!

"The Lions need to put the All Blacks into areas of the field they don't like to be in. They need to stop their tight five on the gainline and allow Barrett no space.

"They also need to stop the off-load from Sonny Bill Williams, so that second man at the tackle has to be right in there. The Lions cannot do it for 60 minutes either - it has to be for the full eighty minutes. Then, when the opportunities come, they have to nail them."

Bold and courageous

Liam Williams looks to offload against the Chiefs
Image: Liam Williams is in at full-back for the Lions

Being bold and courageous is what the Lions need on Saturday according to Gatland, and he has certainly been that with his team.

In line with his commitment to attack, Gatland has picked Liam Williams at full-back and Elliot Daly on the wing after their eye-catching performances in this week's 34-6 win over Chiefs.

They edge out Leigh Halfpenny and George North respectively, with North not even included in the match-day squad after failing to impress in the warm-up fixtures.

Evans believes the selection of Williams and Daly will bring some excitement to the Lions back line and shows that they will have a bit more than just a kicking game.

 Elliot Daly gets away from the Chiefs defence
Image: Elliot Daly had an eye-catching performance against the Chiefs

"A lot of people would not have had the back three - Daly definitely played himself into the team against the Chiefs. I did not think there would be many players coming through against a second-string Chiefs side, but Daly really had an impact.

"I think we know how the Lions are going to play - they are going to kick the leather off the ball but it does allow for a little bit of excitement with that back three."

Leader of men

Kieran Read (R) has been part of the All Blacks  despite not playing since April
Image: Kieran Read (R) has been part of the All Blacks despite not playing since April

Evans is happy with the side that New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has picked and believes that Kieran Read will slot straight back in despite not playing since April.

" Kieran Read's return is huge, and it is good to see him back. He has been out for two months so he may be a little under-cooked but he has been in and around the squad for the last two weeks. You will see 50-60 minutes of hard graft and then you will see Ardie Savea come on.

"Read is a leader of men. Beauden Barrett will steer the ship but Read is the glue in the side and he keeps the guys on task."

Evans also admitted to be surprised with Rieko Ioane who will start a Test for the first time after being named ahead of 53-test veteran Julian Savea on the left wing

Blues' Rieko Ioane dives in for a try against the Cheetahs
Image: What a month for Rieko Ioane who was excellent for the Blues against the Lions

"I don't think a lot of [people saw Rieko Ioane there - keeping a 50 plus Test winger like Julian Savea off the field is something.

"What a month this kid has had. He has played for the Blues against the lions, represented the Maori and now starting his first Test for the All Blacks against arguably the greatest northern hemisphere team to come down."

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