Lions recall Warburton for Otago clash
Print Edition
TOUR captain Sam Warburton will return from injury to lead a reorganized British and Irish Lions lineup in their fourth tour match on Wednesday against the Otago Highlanders of New Zealand.
Warburton, who missed the Lions’ 12-3 win over the Canterbury Crusaders, joins a starting 15 which contains only one player — backrower CJ Stander — who took part in Saturday’s match at Christchurch.
Having completed his objective of giving all 41 members of his touring side a chance to play in the first three matches on tour, coach Warren Gatland is now honing the test combination he hopes to play in next Saturday’s match against the New Zealand Maori.
The team he named to face the Crusaders was close to test-strength but some selections remain to be decided.
“At this stage of the tour everyone has had a start and as coaches we are happy that all the players have had a chance to put their hand up and perform in the Lions jersey,” Gatland said. “Each game is a chance for individuals to shine but more importantly it’s about a collective performance. We are building some momentum and we have improved with every game.”
Warburton will captain the test lineup and his absence from the team that beat the Crusaders was a slight disruption to the selection process. Players selected for Wednesday’s match such as the Ireland inside center Robbie Henshaw, Scotland wing Tommy Seymour, England lock Courtney Laws, Ireland hooker Rory Best and England prop Joe Marler still have selection claims to push.
New Zealand-born utility back Jared Payne will start at fullback while tighthead Kyle Sinckler, who was impressive in the Lions’ win over the Provincial Barbarians in their opening match, has another chance to shine.
The Dunedin-based Highlanders have selected only three current All Blacks in their lineup.
Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, center Malakai Fekitoa and winger Waisake Naholo have been given dispensations by the All Blacks to play in the match as all are likely to be bench players at best in the first test in Auckland on June 24.
Former All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman is also included in the Highlanders’ starting lineup but scrumhalf Aaron Smith and fullback Ben Smith, expected to start for the All Blacks against the Lions, are not available.
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