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Peter O'Mahony to captain Lions against All Blacks

Author
NZ Herald Staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 22 Jun 2017, 7:35AM
Peter O'Mahony. Photosport.
Peter O'Mahony. Photosport.

Peter O'Mahony to captain Lions against All Blacks

Author
NZ Herald Staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 22 Jun 2017, 7:35AM

Peter O'Mahony will captain the British & Irish Lions against the All Blacks in the first test on Saturday.

Ireland flanker O'Mahony, who led the Lions in the victory over the Maori All Blacks, will skipper the side at Eden Park.

Sam Warburton has been named on the bench.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland said: "We have picked a side based on form with a lot of players putting their hands up, especially from the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks games, and it was a lively selection meeting.

"The win against the Chiefs was also extremely important for the squad and some players played themselves into the side.

"We have continuously been strong at set piece and have been good defensively in the last two or three outings.

"But to beat the All Blacks you have to be courageous and play some rugby - you have to score tries and I think we have picked a team capable of doing that."

The pack is retained from the Crusaders victory, including the back row of O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Taulupe Faletau.

Gatland added: "It's a reward for how the back row has gone. There is a nice balance there while Peter captained the side against the Maori All Blacks and has done a good job."

There are seven Test Lions in the starting XV with three more on the bench in a match day squad combining experience and form.

Liam Williams is selected at fullback and Elliot Daly on the wing following the four-try victory against the Chiefs on Tuesday.

"Elliot has been very accurate in the way he has played and we saw some excellent attacking play from Liam on Tuesday night," Gatland said.

"We are excited about the 15 that take the field but also the very strong and experienced bench players who will have an impact."

British & Irish Lions
15. Liam Williams - Scarlets, Wales
14. Anthony Watson - Bath Rugby, England
13. Jonathan Davies - Scarlets, Wales
12. Ben Te'o - Worcester Warriors, England
11. Elliot Daly - Wasps, England
10. Owen Farrell - Saracens, England
9. Conor Murray - Munster, Ireland
1. Mako Vunipola - Saracens, England
2. Jamie George - Saracens, England
3. Tadhg Furlong - Leinster, Ireland
4. Alun Wyn Jones - Ospreys, Wales
5. George Kruis - Saracens, England
6. Peter O'Mahony (capt) - Munster, Ireland
7. Sean O'Brien - Leinster, Ireland
8. Taulupe Faletau - Bath Rugby, Wales

Replacements
16. Ken Owens - Scarlets, Wales
17. Jack McGrath - Leinster, Ireland
18. Kyle Sinckler - Harlequins, England
19. Maro Itoje - Saracens, England
20. Sam Warburton - Cardiff Blues, Wales
21. Rhys Webb - Ospreys, Wales, #820
22. Johnny Sexton - Leinster, Ireland
23. Leigh Halfpenny - Toulon, Wales

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