Rugby: Lions likely to name top team to tackle NZ Maori

If the British and Irish Lions can't beat the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on Saturday, their confidence will take a huge hit one week out from the first test.

Assistant coach Neil Jenkins confirmed after their arrival here that they are likely to name a near test-strength side for the match at Rotorua International Stadium.

A win would help wipe away the disappointment of letting slip a 22-13 lead against the Highlanders in Dunedin, but a defeat could leave lasting psychological scars.

They should know what to expect against a Maori side coached by Colin Cooper and Tana Umaga eager to join the Blues and Highlanders in history by repeating their own heroics in beating the Lions when they were last here 12 years ago.

The Maori, led by the likes of Liam Messam and Ash Dixon and with backs such as Rieko Ioane and Damian McKenzie, will bring a physical intensity perhaps a step up from the Highlanders, plus an attacking ability which should be on another level entirely.

"The boys will be ready," former Wales and Lions No10 Jenkins insisted. "Obviously the All Blacks are an outstanding side but so are your Super Rugby sides.

"The intensity and speed and pace that these games are played at... sometimes when you watch Super Rugby the intensity is there but probably not at the level it is when they play us. It's a one-off game and some of these players will never get the opportunity again to play the Lions.

"There are quick throw-ins, there are quick 22s, there are quick taps. Constantly, if there's any space, they play into it, so we've got to be ready from the first to last minute. I have no doubt the Maori will be similar on Saturday but bringing physicality with it as well. Just looking at some of the backs they have, they've got some pretty talented players in that back line and that's not being disrespectful to the forwards."

With the Lions' top forwards including Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Sean O'Brien and Toby Faletau likely to get starts, plus backs such as Conor Murray and Owen Farrell, the Lions will back themselves to control the tempo, but the Maori, together for only a few days, will bring an unpredictability and X-factor that could once again plunge the Lions into chaos.

"It's not three test matches, it's pretty much 10 test matches, that how hard this tour is," Jenkins said." You've seen the state of Super Rugby in New Zealand, how strong they are and the squads they've got. Some of the players last night... [Malakai] Fekitoa hasn't made the squad, [Waisake] Naholo has, and both outstanding performances last night."

Jenkins confirmed Warren Gatland and company would view the All Blacks v Manu Samoa test on television rather than make the trek to Eden Park. He was expecting a strong All Blacks line-up too, so both sides will be able to add to their portfolio of analysis one week out from the big one.

"It [All Blacks team] is going to be pretty strong, there may be one or two changes, and probably whatever side we pick on Saturday is going to be pretty strong, it's going to be not far off what's going to be playing a week on Saturday," Jenkins said.

"It's getting closer, the team has to play, it's getting interesting. It will be an interesting weekend from the All Blacks point of view and ours."