Saturday 8 July 2017 08:24, UK
Sean Maitland thinks the All Blacks could face a public backlash if they lose the deciding Test against the Lions on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Warren Gatland's men have defied all expectations to take the series to a decider and know victory at Eden Park on Saturday would bring a triumphant conclusion to the most challenging tour undertaken in the professional era.
New Zealand-born Scotland wing Maitland, who travelled to Australia with the elite of British and Irish rugby in 2013, insists a Lions victory would have significant repercussions for both sides.
"If the Lions can do it....everyone is using the word 'immortals' and immortals are exactly what they'll be," Maitland said.
"I'm from New Zealand and everyone has been talking about this tour since 2005 - that's how much rugby and the Lions means to the country.
"If the All Blacks lose there will be a backlash from the public, 100 per cent. Rugby there is like football here - it's massive and part of the culture.
"Here you see people playing five-a-side football, back home it's five-on-five touch."
Maitland is convinced the Lions can prevail and believe New Zealand's injury-hit three-quarter line could be a weakness to be exploited.
"There will be extra pressure on the All Blacks after they lost the second Test and I'm sure they'll turn up. It's Kieran Read's 100th game and they'll want to do it for him," Maitland said.
"No one has given the Lions a chance so to see them tearing it up is great. One hundred per cent they can do it, anything can happen.
"Confidence is sky high after last weekend. New Zealand have a great record at Eden Park and that could be at the back of their minds, but if they get their tails up.....
"New Zealand's back line is obviously quality but they're young and the experience isn't there. Ben Smith, Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty are massive losses."
