Lions: 'You can see the glint in the players' eyes'

No inspirational jersey presentation has been planned. No emotive pre-match speeches from the coaches, either. The Lions believe nothing more needs to be said or done. They feel they are ready for the game of their lives.

"You can see a glint in the players' eyes at training today," Lions assistant coach Rob Howley said. "Sam Warburton got them into the circle afterwards and there's a glint in their eyes since Saturday night in Wellington. That glint hasn't gone away because they hope we can create history on the weekend. That's the challenge and realisation of where we are at during this moment in time."

With nine players from their last successful tour of Australia in 2013 featuring in this squad for the decider at Eden Park, the Lions are backing experience to see them through. Welsh veteran Alun Wyn Jones, heavily criticised after the first test defeat, leads the charge in this regard by becoming the only player to start in every test across three successive Lions series.

By this point of the week coaches hand the reins over to senior players. For the Lions, the likes of Warburton, Jones, Maro Itoje, Conor Murray, Jonathan Sexton and Owen Farrell have stepped up.

"I definitely expect a reaction just like we had in the second test," Warburton said of the All Blacks. "We've had all week to try get ready for that. I learned the hard way last year it doesn't matter how many players they are missing they'll still be a quality outfit."

Elliot Daly, named on the left wing again, epitomised the Lions' collective euphoria after squaring the series last week.

"It was a massive moment," he said. "I ran five metres and then realised my shoe was off and I didn't know where it was for five minutes. We knew we had to win to stay in the series. It was one of those games where we didn't take anything for granted. All that emotion came out at the end of the game. It was a great moment.

"We know how important this game is. You don't get this opportunity very often."

Saturday night promises to be an emotionally-charged occasion. Which team best channels that in the right manner without losing their heads could well emerge on top.
The Lions appear confident they have much more to give.

"You see players at their best when they are relaxed," Howley said. "It's about creating history but we all understand that. When we get out there that emotion is going to come naturally it's about having the clarity of mind to execute under pressure.

"We've got some plays up our sleeve. We've continually worked off the field in terms of the pictures and shapes we've seen defensively from the All Blacks. We've got to the outside edge a couple of times and we've shown good intent and ambition. Early on in the tour we were disappointed in the chances we were creating but last week we were quite ruthless and clinical.

"I think we can be 20 or 30 per cent better. What that looks like I'm not too sure but hopefully you'll see that on the weekend."