All Blacks golden boy Carter predicts intense Lions battle

ALL BLACKS golden boy Dan Carter predicted an intense battle for Test series glory against Clive Woodward’s Lions.

Many pundits, including former New Zealand coach Laurie Mains, have forecast a 3-0 All Blacks triumph, writing off a Lions squad currently nowhere near top gear.

But Canterbury fly-half Carter, who will face the Lions on his home ground this weekend, has dismissed such patriotic fervour.