Israel Dagg expects 'angry' British and Irish Lions as Crusaders and New Zealand Maori name teams

The New Zealand public are a well-informed one when it comes to the oval ball game, and they will be well aware that the Lions will not have taken the 22-16 defeat to the Blues well

Israel Dagg is expecting an angry Lions side when his Crusaders side face them this weekend (Getty)

New Zealand is ready for a backlash. That’s the expectation of the All Blacks’ Israel Dagg, who is preparing for an “angry” British and Irish Lions squad following the shock defeat by the Blues this week, and the end result could well be a clash against the Crusaders of Test-match intensity.

The New Zealand public are a well-informed one when it comes to the oval ball game, and they will be well aware that the Lions will not have taken the 22-16 defeat well despite the public protestations of an “improved performance” and a learning curve.

Dagg, who on Thursday was named in both the Crusaders starting line-up and the All Blacks squad to face the Lions, could find himself taking on Warren Gatland’s side four times over the next four weeks, and the full-back-turned-wing is ready for whatever response the touring side bring on Saturday night.

“It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to play the best players in the Northern Hemisphere,” said Dagg. “They play a different brand of footy so it is going to be different, physical and the boys and I know what is coming. The Lions will be angry boys so it will be like Test-match footy.

“You have to mentally be there with attitude. You can't be indecisive or else you will get knocked over. The big boys up front will be pretty sore after this game.

“It is tough for them, they have come here and it's not an easy tour. They will be disappointed and I know they will be a lot better.”

But, as has been the case over the years, with this deep knowledge of rugby union comes an evident arrogance, not least because it is incredibly hard to beat the All Blacks, especially when they are on their own turf. That is also the case for the Crusaders, who have won all 14 matches in Super Rugby this season and can rightly claim to be the best club side in the world.

“It does bring a little bit of pressure,” adds Dagg. “We pride ourselves on our defence, being physical, getting off the line. The Lions are bringing a lot of line speed. Hopefully we can match it this weekend and get up and put pressure on them. We pride ourselves on our ability to play the game.

The Lions know they must improve (Getty)

“I'm sure this weekend that the boys are going to give it everything, because it doesn't come round very often. I'll be an old man when this happens again. It's going to be awesome.”

The Crusaders will have a complete All Blacks front-five when they line-up against the Blues, with the ever-reliable Sam Whitelock leading the side from the second-row alongside Luke Romano, the man who could well join Whitelock for the first Test if Brodie Retallick fails to recover from a concussion that has sidelined him this weekend.

In total, the Canterbury side will have seven current All Blacks when they face the Lions, and will also be boosted by the inclusion of two Maori All Blacks in the form of scrum-half Bryn Hall and replacement centre Tim Bateman, with the Maori side likely to pose just as big a threat to Gatland’s side as the Crusaders.

Maori head coach Colin Cooper – who will be assisted by the Blues’ Tana Umaga – has been able to call on a number of players who would walk into the senior international sides of many other countries worldwide, with veteran Chiefs flanker Liam Messam and All Blacks wing Nehe Milner-Skudder made available after missing out on the senior team.

New Zealand Maori squad

Props

Chris Eves, Kane Hames, Mike Kainga, Ben May, Marcel Renata.

Hookers

Ash Dixon (captain),Hikawera Elliot.

Locks

Tom Franklin, Leighton Price, Joe Wheeler.

Loose forwards

Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Liam Messam, Reed Prinsep, Kara Pryor.

Halfbacks

Bryn Hall, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

Fly-halves

Otere Black, Ihaia West.

Midfielders

Tim Bateman, Charlie Ngatai, Matt Proctor, Rob Thompson, James Lowe.

Outside backs

Damian McKenzie, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Declan O’Donnell.