Neil Jenkins warns All Blacks of 'big weapon' Elliot Daly
Wednesday 5 July 2017 23:44, UK
British and Irish Lions assistant coach Neil Jenkins has warned the All Blacks to beware of Elliot Daly's "scary" boot in Saturday's Test series decider against the All Blacks, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30am.
Jenkins is backing the Lions' premier goal-kicker Owen Farrell's nerveless poise to shine through in the Eden Park showdown in Auckland, while also hailing England wing Daly's long-range boot as a potentially deadly weapon for the tourists.
The Lions squared the three-Test series at 1-1 with Saturday's dramatic 24-21 win in Wellington, and the team's kicking coach believes Warren Gatland's potent kicking stocks could prove pivotal again this weekend.
"He's scary, isn't he? He's got a cannon attached to his hip," Jenkins said of Daly.
"I punt with him in the warm-up before the games, and he's tapping the ball and it's coming about 50m.
"It's worrying, to be honest. He was kicking on Saturday and it was flying past 55m and he's not even letting go. And his goal-kicking is the same.
"He hits the ball incredibly well, and he's a weapon to have in any team, there's no doubting that.
"I'm sure he'll be a big weapon for England going forward."
Beauden Barrett missed three key penalties as the Lions edged to that slender three-point victory at Wellington's Westpac Stadium last weekend.
His younger brother Jordie Barrett will make his first Test start at full-back aged just 20, and could even take the goal-kicking reins at Eden Park.
Former Wales and Lions kicker Jenkins believes the 2017 tourists can keep their nerve from the tee in Saturday's series decider, however the All Blacks' kickers are faring.
"All our goal-kickers have been there and done it under extreme pressure," he added.
"I do believe it's all about your temperament, and Owen definitely has what's required.
"These boys thrive on pressure. I have no doubt, any of them stepping up under pressure, that they'd make the kick."