With Warren Gatland’s side preparing for a second meeting with New Zealand this weekend, they first have to do battle with Super Rugby giants Hurricanes.
Wales stars George North, Dan Biggar and Justin Tipuric all begin the game in the capital, with their international colleagues Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Gareth Davies all among the replacements.
Liam Williams and Elliot Daly played their way into the first Test side with impressive showings against Waikato Chiefs, and Gatland has instructed his latest team to try and do likewise.
The head coach has demanded his men up their physicality at the contact area with this weekend in mind.
He said: “These guys on Tuesday night get a chance to make a real impact in that area against the Hurricanes.
“You have got to challenge the players mentally for that physical challenge. On Saturday, that’s one area the All Blacks got the better of us.
“Let’s be frank about that. We need to make sure we are a lot more physical in the contact area in both attack and defence. If we get that right, the transfer from that area to the rest of the game will be huge.
“They have just been a bit more aggressive at the breakdown area. I’m not saying it was the full 80 minutes. There were times when we were excellent, there were times when our defence was good, and times when we carried well.
“But overall they got the better of us in that area, so we just need to improve on that one aspect.”
Before meeting the All Blacks again, the Lions must first focus on The Hurricanes. They will have New Zealand squad members Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape available to them.
Up front, the Lions are skippered by Ireland hooker Rory Best. England duo Joe Marler and Dan Cole prop down either side of him with Iain Henderson and Courtney Lawes at lock.
Wales ace Tipuric features in a back-row alongside James Haskell and No 8 CJ Stander.
Biggar, who put in an assured showing against the Chiefs, is joined by Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw at half-back.
ack Nowell is at full-back, with North on one wing and Tommy Seymour on the other.
Gatland wants his latest selection to work on their discipline and set the tone for the second Test.
“There were aspects of the game where we were very good in the contact area, just before half time and a period in the second half,”Gatland said of the first Test defeat.
“But there were some soft penalties that need to be eradicated. That has been one of the most determining factors of results on this tour, the penalty count.
“If you give too many penalties away you lose momentum and it’s difficult to get that back. So we need to make sure we don’t give as many penalties away this Saturday and just tidy up one or two other areas.”
British & Irish Lions: Jack Nowell; Tommy Seymour, Jonathan Joseph, Robbie Henshaw, George North; Dan Biggar, Greig Laidlaw; Joe Marler, Rory Best (capt), Dan Cole, Iain Henderson, Courtney Lawes, James Haskell, Justin Tipuric, CJ Stander
Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Alan Dell, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, George Kruis, Gareth Davies, Finn Russell, Jared Payne
Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett; Nehe Milner-Skudder, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea; Otere Black, Te Toiroa-Tahuriorangi; Ben May, Ricky Ricitelli, Jeffrey To’omaga-Allen, Mark Abbott, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields (capt)
Replacements: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, James Blackwell, Reed Prinsep, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Wes Goosen, Cory Jane
