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Time for Lions to deliver, says All Blacks coach Steve Hansen

The Lions were second best against a rampant Auckland Blues
Image: The Lions were second best against a rampant Blues side on Wednesday

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has ramped up the pressure on the British and Irish Lions, saying they have to start delivering results.

Warren Gatland's side followed up an unconvincing opening 13-7 win over a part-time Provincial Union XV with a 22-16 loss to Super Rugby side Blues on Wednesday as they continue to acclimatise to life Down Under.

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The tourists have four more warm-up games before the first Test against the All Blacks on June 24, starting with the Crusaders live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 8am on Saturday, and Hansen says the Lions have to start putting some results on the board.

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Stuart Barnes and Miles Harrison discuss how the Lions can beat the Crusaders

"Confidence is a big thing in sport. If you have got plenty of it, you can do anything," Hansen said.

"There is a fair bit on the line. At some point, you have got to start winning or people are going to be saying, 'This isn't working'. That is the thing you have got to keep an eye on."

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Hansen concedes that the squad Gatland has brought over to his home country is the best Lions team ever, but says he is yet to see evidence of that.

"I wouldn't say I'm expecting that X-factor from what I've seen so far on the tour, although if you look back at what those players are doing for their home countries, there is plenty of it," he added.

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 17: New Zealand All Black coach Steve Hansen during a training session at the Westmanstown Sports Complex on November 17, 2016 i
Image: Steve Hansen's All Blacks face the Lions in the first Test on June 24

"You would expect an international team to beat a franchise team. And I've always said this is the best Lions side to come here.

"But the Crusaders are on a roll, full of confidence at the moment and full of All Blacks. The Lions probably don't have much confidence, because they still haven't got it together.

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"Against the Blues, there were guys out there still trying to find out who their mate is."

Watch Crusaders v Lions live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 8am on Saturday.

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