Lions 2017: Warren Gatland’s five big calls for the Lions’ first Test against All Blacks

1) Putting Halfpenny on the bench

Considering the form in which he finished the season – not to mention how he performed in New Zealand last summer – Liam Williams’s selection is hardly a huge surprise but it still came somewhat out of the blue seeing as he played all 80 minutes against the Chiefs. He has a running threat not posed by Leigh Halfpenny but still, the 2013 player of the series can count himself unlucky. Halfpenny has been rock solid so far – even if Gatland has repeatedly said he needs more than that from his back three to beat New Zealand – but perhaps most significantly he has been flawless from the tee. Owen Farrell has been successful with five of his eight kicks and while Elliot Daly can take the long ones dropping Halfpenny is a gamble from Gatland, especially considering the fly‑half’s recent injury scare.

2) Leaving Itoje out of the starting XV

Leaving Maro Itoje out was most probably the hardest call for Gatland and no doubt done with the last 20 minutes in mind – if the All Blacks are out of sight by then, though, it is a risk that will have backfired. Gatland has been criticised for omitting Itoje – he will not mind that – but make no mistake, he is one of the players of whom the All Blacks are most wary, he makes things happen and he hardly ever loses rugby matches. Moreover, without him the pack is a bit one‑paced. Collectively the Lions’ line speed in defence has been impressive but New Zealand, and most significantly Beauden Barrett, will be expecting it. The Lions will need someone to take it upon themselves to get after Barrett and without Itoje in the side it is hard to see who has the pace to do so.

3) Selecting Daly ahead of juggernaut North

Much like Steve Hansen, Gatland has been bold with his selection on the left wing and leaving George North out altogether is a brave call. North has been nowhere near the form shown four years ago in Australia but he has been robust in defence – his aberration against the Maori All Blacks aside. Considering Hansen has left out Julian Savea, North’s size is not so significant but against the Crusaders he defended well and chased kicks with purpose, giving the highly rated George Bridge a torrid night. Daly has chased well too, however, and along with Williams and Nowell he demonstrated his attacking abilities on Tuesday. The danger is that too much has been read into that match against a Chiefs side so underpowered by their absent internationals and the timing of the Maori All Blacks fixture.

4) Handing the captaincy over to O’Mahony

In many ways, Peter O’Mahony is a straightforward choice to lead the Lions in the opening Test at Eden Park on Saturday. It is perhaps a bit surprising that Alun Wyn Jones has not been handed the job after he was picked ahead of Itoje – he was the captain for the deciding Test in 2013, after all – but O’Mahony shone in the role against the Maori All Blacks, building an excellent rapport with Jaco Peyper and, considering the South African is in charge on Saturday, it makes perfect sense. Earlier in the week, the Lions assistant coach Andy Farrell said he would be “more than comfortable” with O’Mahony continuing in the role and although Sam Warburton is on the bench the Welsh flanker has approached his position as tour captain devoid of any ego.

5) Picking union Test novice Te’o in midfield

The emergence of Ben Te’o at inside‑centre certainly chimes with Gatland’s preference for a direct ball‑carrier at No12 and he is also picked with an eye on his opposite number – Te’o knows all about Sonny Bill Williams, having played against him in the National Rugby League and the All Black will remember a shuddering late hit from a meeting in 2014. However, Te’o has played just eight international matches in rugby union, starting just once, and while he can certainly break the gain‑line he can also be pulled out of position defensively. Additionally, he does not have a kicking game to speak of and while the selection of both Jonathan Davies and Elliot Daly goes some way to offsetting that, New Zealand will no doubt look to exploit his deficiencies.