Rugby: Tempers flare as All Blacks lift training intensity for Lions decider

Anton Lienert-Brown in action at All Blacks training session ahead of the third test match against the British & Irish Lions. Photo/Photosport

Former captain Sean Fitzpatrick sees aggro within the All Blacks ranks as a healthy sign, heading into the third and deciding test against the British & Lions at Eden Park on Saturday.

After the Lions' 24-21 win in Wellington last week, the two-time reigning World Cup champions are suddenly staring down the barrel of a series defeat if they slip up again and that intensity has been evident at training this week.

Fitzpatrick has told Sky Sports News HQ that tempers have flaired at times during the All Blacks preparation, as they feel the pressure of the occasion.

"I know what the atmosphere will be like in the camp and all those people in New Zealand that wanted it at 1-1, now expect the All Blacks to win, so that'll raise the tension within the camp," he said.

"They won't need to do much this week. I've spoken to a couple of the guys, the tension is quite high. There's been a couple of little scuffles at training, which is a good sign.

"But they are under a little bit of pressure, for the first time in a long while actually."

Fitzpatrick, who made 92 appearances for his country and spent five years as skipper, denied this was a sign of chinks appearing in the All Blacks armour.

Fights among team-mates aren't that unusual, and are usually an indication that players understand what's at stake and are striving for another level of performance.

Despite playing a man short for most of last week's encounter, Fitzpatrick thought the All Blacks were not that far off the mark.

"Losing Sonny Bill Williams was a big issue and that was their own doing," he said. "They need to go back to the basics of how to get the game going again.

"That was their big problem - the game was too stop-start, they had no momentum."