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Warren Gatland's call to tame British and Irish Lions has New Zealand sweating, says Stuart Barnes

By James Dale

Tuesday 4 July 2017 23:44, UK

New Zealand are still undergoing training while the Lions take some downtime ahead of the third Test
Image: New Zealand are still undergoing training while the Lions take some downtime ahead of the third Test

Warren Gatland's resting Lions will leave New Zealand sweating in the gym ahead of the decisive third Test, says Stuart Barnes.

The Lions head coach has opted to remove his squad from the media spotlight for 48 hours in the build-up to Saturday's series decider, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, with the players taking part in adventure activities in Queenstown before heading to Eden Park in Auckland.

Having levelled the series with last weekend's 24-21 win over the All Blacks, Sky Sports rugby pundit Barnes believes Gatland's move to offer his players some downtime will weigh on the minds of a nervous New Zealand side still undertaking intense training sessions.

"The Lions struck a psychological blow in Wellington on Saturday and physical rest is absolutely essential now," Barnes told Sky Sports News HQ.

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"This has been Warren Gatland's plan for a long time, while New Zealand are pushing weights in the gym worrying about the third Test, the Lions are unwinding a little bit.

"It's been a very long season, there has been a lot of intense preparation both physically and mentally. It's the right call."

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Barnes believes Gatland does have big decisions to make ahead of Saturday's crucial fixture, particularly after Mako Vunipola gave away a number of penalties and got sin-binned when he drove his shoulder into Beauden Barrett's head last time out.

Asked if he would start Vunipola, Barnes replied: "No I wouldn't but I wouldn't have started him in any of the first two Tests.

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"He's a suspect scrummager and in Romain Poite you've got a referee who really polices the scrum very well.

"I think Jack McGrath should start this one even without the disciplinary issues. It's a chance for Gatland to say 'you've not had the best of tours but here's a chance to prove yourself'. It's one of the biggest selection dilemmas left for the tour."

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has his own decisions to deal with ahead of the third Test, according to Barnes.

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The All Blacks say they are fully focused on the final Test after last weekend's defeat in Wellington
Ryan Crotty is a major fitness doubt, meaning Ngani Laumape, Jack Goodhue and Malakai Fekitoa could all come i.

"Even the All Blacks, last two World Cup winners, understand this is a massive occasion," he said. "Steve Hansen, for the first time in two years, is describing his team as a young New Zealand team. He's trying to take the heat and expectation off them.

"They certainly need Crotty if he's fit, but I wouldn't go [Ngani] Laumape, I think he's an outstanding player but I would be going with the Crotty link with [Anton] Lienert-Brown."

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