Lions

Kaino - No intent to injure Murray

Lions coach Warren Gatland expressed his anger at the treatment received by his scrum-half during the All Blacks' 30-15 victory at the weekend.

Kaino was one player highlighted for focusing on Murray after a lunging tackle on the Ireland international's standing leg as he kicked from the back of the scrum.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen was quick to defend his players on Monday and Kaino has reiterated there was no specific plan to take out Murray.

"No, it's never our intent to go out and injure someone," Kaino said ahead of Saturday's second Test.

Gatland says All Blacks targeting Lions halfback

Gatland said he's concerned his halfback Connor Murray was unfairly targeted during the Auckland test.

Ahead of the first test, Gatland asked the referees to look at what he claimed was the All Blacks using "blocking" tactics to protect kicking receivers.

He said he'll now be going back to the officials again in the next few days about some of the attention given to his form Irish halfback Connor Murray on Saturday night.

Savea to start for Canes

Savea, along with Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape and Vaea Fifita will start for the Hurricanes in the final midweek fixture of the tour.

Loose forward Brad Shields will captain the Hurricanes.

Savea has been named on the left wing where he has started 12 of the Hurricanes 14 matches in 2017, while Barrett will wear the No.15 jersey for the 12th time in his first season of Investec Super Rugby.

Laumape will take his place at second five where he has scored 14 tries and combine centre Vince Aso, who has also scored 14 tries - a single season Hurricanes record.

All Blacks beat Lions to take one-nil series lead

They now have a one-nil lead in the three-Test series.

The first half at Eden Park was a tight affair, but the British and Irish Lions were not able to capitalise on their opportunities in the second period.

The All Blacks survived an early scare after a Jonathan Davies line-break and a good run by Conor Murray, but Israel Dagg was able to hold Elliot Daly off the line with a superb tackle

First blood went to the All Blacks when the Lions were pinged at the ruck. Beauden Barrett kicked the penalty to put the first points on the board.

Carter admits to Lions naivety

The All Blacks great, who values the tour alongside playing at the World Cup, destroyed the Lions, scoring 33 points and crossing for two tries with a masterclass at first five-eighth to win the second test 48-18 in Wellington to secure the series.

Carter had just 18 tests to his name prior to that Lions series and admits he didn't appreciate the significance of the tour until facing questions from British media.

"I remember it started in 2004 when the All Blacks toured the northern hemisphere in the autumn series [in November and December]," Carter told ESPN.

Rennie has confidence in All Blacks

The Lions overcame successive midweek losses to the Blues and Highlanders to control the game, force the Chiefs into errors and shut down their attack before they ran out 34-6 winners in Hamilton.

"They dominated up front. We battled to get our lineout going. Our scrum. And they punished us for it," Rennie said.

"(But) the All Blacks will play the way they play, they will back themselves and their skill set to challenge the Lions.

All Blacks not focusing on referee

Lions coach Warren Gatland said New Zealand teams were deliberately blocking and holding players back to give the first five more time to clear the ball and he's mentioned it to the referees.

However Kaino says sticking to their game plan is the key to All Black success over a Lions outfit, who hit their straps against a strong New Zealand Maori side on Saturday.

Kaino says the All Blacks will simply have to adapt to how referee Jaco Peyper is going to officiate in the up-coming test.

"We have a game that we want to play and we will play that as well as we can.

Warburton blames Lions discipline

The Lions conceded 12 penalties in Dunedin - five more than the home side - and were beaten by Marty Banks' decisive kick six minutes from time.

The result represents the tourists' second defeat of the tour to New Zealand after they were beaten by the Blues last Wednesday, and Warburton knows things must improve.

"We gave away too much possession at the breakdown, we turned over a bit too much ball," Warburton told Sky Sports. 

"I thought when we were direct, we looked good.

Warburton admits he could miss Test

Warburton returns to skipper the Lions against the Highlanders on Tuesday having shaken off the issue that kept him out of Saturday's victory over the Crusaders.

However, the Cardiff Blues flanker says he must prove he is firing on all cylinders if he is to make Warren Gatland's starting XV in Auckland on June 24.

"If I play Tuesday and I still feel I'm a bit undercut, then I might not be ready for that first Test," said Warburton.

Lions set to ignite their attack against the Highlanders

The Lions scored all their points with the boot when they out-muscled the Crusaders 12-3 on Saturday, the impressive display following two lacklustre tour outings in which the visitors combined for just two tries.

Seymour, however, is confident that a contest against an expansive Highlanders side combined with the gradual improvement of the touring party will enable the Lions to finally start putting more points on the board ahead of the All Blacks tests.