Justin Marshall: Why TJ Perenara could be in mix for first test

All Black TJ Perenara races away from the Samoan defence. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Lions have well and truly restored their pride in the jersey leading into the first test.

They had a rocky start but since then they've pieced together very good wins against the Crusaders, NZ Maori, and last night the Chiefs.

We've started to see their increasing depth and also their combinations starting to gel throughout. Nothing compares with being on the pitch and working it out for themselves.

You can see they're starting to do that and are knitting together some formidable combinations for what will be a very good test team.

It is very evident that the New Zealand teams have struggled to penetrate this very resilient and well-drilled defence. In my mind there is more to the Lions than just tackling - they know the style of game they can play and the type of player they need. They are starting to look dangerous when they find their rhythm.

I have enjoyed watching the Blues and Highlanders do well against them, but I also enjoyed seeing the Lions break out from their own 22m area against the Chiefs for Jack Nowell's second try. That took ambition and real skill; passing in contact and linking. It was impressive.

Looking at what the All Blacks will face at Eden Park on Saturday, and in particular how they breach that almost water-tight defence, I feel the keys are Steve Hansen's No8, halfback and first-five.

There is a huge responsibility on those three players when facing a hard-charging defence like this, which I came across a lot in my time playing in the United Kingdom, and particularly in Wales.

If those first three transition players don't draw defenders and simply shuttle the ball laterally while using up time, that enables the line speed and the outside defensive players to shut down the outside channels. We have seen throughout this tour that the New Zealand teams have struggled when their 10s get the ball with few attacking ideas because all they see in their peripheral vision are red jerseys outside them.

In my mind Hansen needs to pick players prepared to be confrontational in that zone - challenging there can create a bow in the defensive line. The halfback must be prepared to run - either for himself or to create holes for runners in his zone by engaging defenders.

If the All Blacks can make mini line breaks in and around that 8-9-10 channel, on the next phase that creates huge problems for the Lions' defence because they've come up hard and need to get back onside, and they are also disjointed.

It does pose the question; if skipper Kieran Read starts at No8, and Beaden Barrett starts at first-five, who starts at No9? It is probably going to be a wet night in Auckland, so the ball will be difficult to handle. Careful game management and good composure will be required so a case could be made for bringing TJ Perenara into the mix.

A wet ground and ball will mean an extra physicality around the breakdown, scrum, lineout, and close contact area in general. Also defensively there will be a lot of traffic in that zone so massive physicality and efficiency will be required. The All Blacks are going to need to be confrontational because the Lions have shown, particularly against the Crusaders and Maori, that they can completely dominate that area.

If the All Blacks can get the little breaks going on the inside channel, that will allow them to operate in an area where they are very dangerous - the outside channel. So far no Lions opponent has been able to get ball wide and expose them there from first phase and the predicted wet weather on Saturday will make that difficult again.