Steve Hansen expects more abrasive Lions

The All Blacks will prepare for a greater confrontation at the breakdown, as a desperate British and Irish Lions look to level their test series, in the second match in Wellington, coach Steve Hansen has said.

Hansen’s side surprised many by confronting the Lions up-front, running much of their attack close to the ruck, and using Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty as battering rams to secure a 30-15 victory at Eden Park, and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

That adaptation of ‘Warrenball’ — the tactic preferred by Lions coach, Warren Gatland, to get over the advantage line — ensured that the All Blacks punched holes in the Lions’s defence, forced them into 165 tackles, and gradually wore them down.