New Zealand centre wants to expose Sexton-Farrell combination

All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has revealed his side will look to capitalise on the absence of Ben Te’o from the Lions midfield as they seek to expose the perceived defensive frailties of twin playmakers Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell.

British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland will play two fly-halves in a 10-12 partnership for tomorrow’s second Test at Westpac Stadium, a do-or-die game for the tourists after they lost the first Test 30-15 at Eden Park last Saturday. Yet the bid to create more attacking options for the Lions backline has been seized on by world champions New Zealand as an opportunity for their own offence with Sexton’s promotion from the bench to fly-half pushing last week’s starting 10 Farrell to inside centre at the expense of Te’o, who must settle for a place on the bench.

Te’o was tasked with containing the offloading game of New Zealand number 12 Sonny Bill Williams and the All Blacks’ midfield partner Lienert-Brown, who will replace the injured Ryan Crotty, believes the former Leinster man’s absence will clear the path to the Lions fly-half’s channel.