All Blacks' tight-five the 'best in the world', claims Sean Fitzpatrick
Friday 23 June 2017 22:58, UK
Sean Fitzpatrick has rubbished claims the Lions will dominate New Zealand up front, while Stephen Ferris believes the All Blacks will be scared of Sean O'Brien.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland has selected Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadgh Furlong, Alun Wyn Jones and George Kruis in his front five, in a powerful looking scrum and lineout group.
For all the talk of their qualities, though, Fitzpatrick has insisted to Sky Sports the All Blacks have the pick of the players in each position.
"What I love is, we haven't spoken about the All Blacks," Fitzpatrick said. "The whole talk has been about what team the Lions are going to pick, what team Gatland is going to pick. And we haven't really heard much about Hansen, which I quite like actually.
"They're there, doing their job. I was at the hotel yesterday morning and they are very focused on what they've got to do.
"They're got the best tight-five in the world and everybody's talking about the Lions nullifying their lineout, nullifying their scrum, but I just cant see that. I just see the All Blacks doing what they do.
"[Brodie] Retallick, [Sam] Whitelock, [Owen] Franks, admittedly [Dane] Coles is not there but I still think they've got the best tight-five in the world. For the Lions tight-five to nullify them, they've got to have one hell of a game."
Another area the Lions have been praised for so far this tour is their line-speed in defence, something many have said could stop All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett from playing at his best. Fitzpatrick, however, disagrees.
"The exciting thing is whether the Lions defence can do what the Crusaders did the Highlanders about six weeks ago, whether they can shut Beauden Barrett down and that's the key really," he added.
"The expectation here is that the Lions can shut down Barrett, I don't think so. I just think that at the moment the way the All Blacks are feeling, they've got a bit of a glint in their eyes, as the Lions have, but Barrett is a very special player."
Meanwhile, Stephen Ferris said the All Blacks will be scared to face Sean O'Brien, and believes the New Zealanders would rather face Sam Warburton than the Leinsterman.
"I know for a fact the Kiwis will be scared of that man," said Ferris of O'Brien. "Would they rather play against Sam Warburton? I think they probably would.
"Sean O'Brien is barnstorming, and on his day he's unstoppable."
The former Ireland back rower added O'Mahony will be more than adept at handling referee Jaco Peyper in Auckland.
"Jaco Peyper refereed the match against the Maori All Blacks, and I thought Pete did an extremely good job of managing him.
"He asked questions at the right time. He didn't get underneath his skin and think that's very important, especially in Test-match rugby where the small margins really do make a difference."
Ferris says O'Mahony needs to put in an inspiring performance to lead his team to victory.
"I think he needs a really, really big game. He's at a stage now where he needs to go out and express himself.
"Yes, he does lead by example, but he didn't have that many carries against the Maori All Blacks. I am expecting a huge game from Peter O'Mahony, to lead from the front - a Lionhearted performance."
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