COMMENT: New Zealanders are battling for the soul of two sports this weekend.

The Lions now have a blend of skills living up to Warren Gatland's belief.

The sensational offloader looms as a key figure for the first test.

Delighted rugby fanatic wins six tickets to Lions v All Blacks first test match.

Rieko Ioane's loudest cheer will be coming from a woman who has long stood behind him.

All Black great Sean Fitzpatrick has sounded a warning ahead of the first test.

AIG ambassadors chew the fat before tonight's big game.

Steve Hansen, for now, is taking a discreet approach to refereeing diplomacy.

It's perhaps the most important test of captain Kieran Read's career.

The latest episode of Champagne Rugby asks some apropos questions

John Spencer subjected to foul-mouthed abuse and assaulted by a drunken Kiwi diner.

What matters at Eden Park? The result. Not the style of rugby the winning team plays.

It's down to business now for British & Irish Lions captain Peter O'Mahony

He's come a long way since he left Auckland at 17. He's now playing against his country of birth in the first test for the Lions

Lions coach Warren Gatland looks forward to the first test against he All Blacks at Eden Park

Being courageous and bold, Warren Gatland says, is the key to winning the first test.

Silence is supposedly golden. When it emanates from the All Blacks it is usually ominous.

Which Lions player has lost 10 times to the All Blacks? How many have beaten the ABs?

Cheeky Chiefs fans appeared to have left this Lions camper wrapped in plastic

The Lions intend to bombard the All Blacks line-out with "noise pollution" on Saturday.

Warren Gatland has gone on form and it's the right call says Gregor Paul.

The British man popped the wallet in his Lions jacket and promptly forgot about it.

The Lions have named their side to face the All Blacks on Saturday.

Auckland gearing up to be 'crazy busy' as rugby supporters arrive for first test.

When asked about Naholo, Dagg or Savea, Steve Hansen's mind kept coming back to one man.

Rieko Ioane has been handed a shock start in the first test against the Lions at Eden Park

Many Kiwi players have been unmasked by the Lions as inept pretenders, writes Chris Rattue

The ABs must do two things to beat the Lions, according to the coach who's led both teams.

If Warren Gatland's men can't dominate up front they have little chance of beating the ABs

The Lions and All Blacks have spent hours preparing and yet their fate rests on one man.