Rugby: Ngani Laumape set to make All Blacks debut against Lions

Ngani Laumape is set to come off the bench for the All Blacks against the Lions. Photo / photosport.nz

Waisake Naholo will start on the right wing for the All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday, with Ngani Laumape set to continue his remarkable rise after being brought into the match-day 23 following Ryan Crotty's hamstring injury.

Israel Dagg, excellent in the No14 jersey against the Lions in his team's 30-15 first-test victory at Eden Park, moves to fullback to cover for the injured Ben Smith, who, predictably, has been ruled out with concussion.

Anton Lienert-Brown was the obvious choice to start at centre alongside Sonny Bill Williams after he performed well there as Crotty's replacement last Saturday, with Hurricanes midfielder Laumape, a handful for the Lions in the 31-all draw on Tuesday, to wear the No23 jersey.

The 24-year-old, a Warriors player as recently as three years ago but one with a rugby union background, was a surprise addition to Hansen's tour squad but showed in his recent performance at Wespac Stadium that he is in top physical and mental condition.

His second-half try owed as much to his strength as his speed, as he bumped off Lions' No10 Dan Biggar, but he has subtleties to his game as well which have attracted the attention of the selectors.

For Naholo, the recall to the starting XV is a good reward for his form for the Highlanders, and he too was a thorn in the side of the Lions for his Super Rugby franchise when he used his power to cross for a try and get close to another two weeks ago.

Dagg has played the majority of his 63 tests at fullback so the All Blacks will lose little there in Smith's absence, although rugby supporters of all persuasions will want the Highlanders captain to recover quickly from his latest head injury - his third in recent times.

"Whilst it's disappointing to lose both Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty, it creates an opportunity for others," head coach Steve Hansen said. "Izzy is a world-class back-three player, as is Anton in the midfield, and both Waisake and Ngani are coming into the test side following outstanding performances against the Lions for their respective Super franchises."

The injection of Naholo on the right, in combination with the pace of Rieko Ioane on the left, could pose serious problems for Warren Gatland's team, a group likely to be tiring at the end of a long season and who will know that they gave it a fair crack against the All Blacks in the first test but came up well short.

For the All Blacks, it was just the beginning, and they will expect to put in a vastly improved performance, especially on defence.

"Whilst we were happy with the win last weekend, we know that it was just a start, in what is a three-test series," Hansen said. "That means the job is far from done. It's going to require us to take our game to a higher level. It's going to be very demanding, physically and mentally, on both sides.

"We're aware the British and Irish Lions have their backs to the wall and will chuck everything at us to keep themselves alive in the series. They are a quality side who we respect immensely.

"In reality, last week's test could've gone either way had they taken more of their chances. Our job will be to make sure that we shut down their counter-attack better than we did last weekend and at the same time, win the critical moments across the 80 minutes. As always, it'll start with the battle of the tight five.

"We've worked hard throughout the week in our preparation here in Wellington and are now looking forward to Saturday."