The big questions

Little was learned from the Lions’ defeat on Tuesday, other than that their midweek players cannot be trusted when it comes to the Tests.

Another patchy and ill-disciplined performance – in which 12 penalties were conceded and a nine-point lead was blown in the last 20 minutes – merely confirmed the suspicion that this squad is split between those with a chance of challenging the All Blacks and those with none.

So clear was that lesson that Warren Gatland is drafting in reinforcements to protect a Test team that has already had to send their first-choice full-back home, is sweating on the fitness of their fly-half and has had to devise a contingency plan to do without their captain.

The pack, at least, have proven themselves already – with seven of the eight forwards who strangled the life out of the Crusaders getting the chance to prove their credentials once again on Saturday.

The onus now is on a rejigged back line to find their flair against a New Zealand Maori side featuring nine players capped by the All Blacks.

No easy task considering Johnny Sexton is struggling for form, Jonathan Davies has played just 28 minutes on the tour so far and Leigh Halfpenny hasn’t scored an international try in over four years.

Over to you, then, lads…

Ones to watch

Alun Wyn Jones’ early introduction from the bench on Tuesday to replace the stricken Courtney Lawes means that Maro Itoje has the chance to further press his claims in the second row.

The Saracen has the mobility and ball skills to help out both in the loose and at the breakdown, but will need a big performance alongside club-mate George Kruis if he is to oust Jones.

Particularly considering the Welshman will be the obvious candidate to replace Sam Warburton as captain should the flanker fail to force his way back in time for the first Test.

In that sense, Itoje’s chances of starting in Auckland next weekend will significantly decrease if Sean O’Brien makes as big a statement as he did against the Crusaders.

The open-side was back to his bulldozing best after a period out with injury and, given Warburton’s comparatively quiet performance against the Highlanders on Tuesday, cannot be far from making that No. 7 jersey his own.

Most important, though, is that Jonathan Davies enjoys a productive run-out.

With doubts surrounding who will start at 10, a back three that has failed to take shape and a likely inside centre with just one Test start to his name, the Lions are relying on the Welshman’s soft hands incisive running lines to hold it all together.

Top tips

Lions to win by 1-12 points –

Last week’s match against the Crusaders was billed as a fourth Test, but the Maori are likely to provide just as big a challenge.

A similarly hard-nosed approach and hard-fought win, then, is the safest bet.

Total points under 48.5 –

With that in mind, a similarly cagey affair is to be expected.

Particularly considering the last meeting between these two rugby institutions in 2005 produced just 32 points in a 19-13 win for the hosts.

Lions to score a penalty in first 10 minutes –

The Lions have taken the lead from the tee in both of their Saturday matches so far.

Expect them to take any early opportunity they get to follow the same format as they look for a third weekend win in a row.

New Zealand Maori to get the first card –

The Lions dominated the set-piece against the Crusaders, winning plenty of penalties in the scrum and at the breakdown.

Taking on a Maori front five with just one international cap between them, the hosts may well need to resort to dirty tricks in an attempt to bridge that gulf in experience.

Nehe Milner-Skudder to score a try at any time –

A lack of game time following recent injuries is the only reason this dazzling winger – who scored six tries at the last Rugby World Cup including one in the final – is not in the All Blacks squad.

Now fully recovered and with a point to prove, he’s worth a punt to cross the whitewash at any stage.

How is the Test team shaping up?

The midweekers have given Warren Gatland plenty of headaches, though none have been of the selection variety.

Farrell and Warburton’s fitness issues aside, then, the team for the first Test is almost there.

Peter O’Mahony’s selection as captain on Saturday is the clearest indication yet that he remains slightly ahead of the impressive CJ Stander in the reckoning for blind side.

The most obvious hole at this stage is at full-back, with Stuart Hogg now ruled out and Liam Williams omitted from last two squads.

Halfpenny is an uninspiring replacement on current form, so Elliot Daly will be itching to get the chance to show what he can do off the bench.